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G R E AT G I V E

H O L I D AY 2 0 1 8

Bill Foley, the owner of the Vegas Golden Knights, graduated West Point in 1967. In honor of his fallen classmates who served in Vietnam and other military and government personnel who died in the line of duty, Foley and his West Point classmates started The Folded Flag Foundation. Since 2014, they have raised and invested $9.4 million for future use. To date, $3.5 million has been given in educational scholarships and support grants to 396 spouses and children of Gold Star families. The Folded Flag Foundation is a proud partner of the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation also started by Bill Foley.

LIVE INSPIRED We all have dreams, and they are as vast and varied as the world is wide. But they all start with inspiration, and inspiration starts with your surroundings. That’s what home is. A sense of place. An amazing view. It’s all part of what makes a space a home, because your home is where you truly LIVE.

synergysir.com 702.360.1414 PHOTO: Las Vegas, NV, United States ®,™ and SM are licensed trademarks to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated, Except Offices Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. * All information from sources deemed to be reliable although not warranted or guaranteed by Sotheby’s International Realty®

(You may be wondering) FOUNDER | EDITOR IN CHIEF

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Marsala Rypka M U LT I M E D I A J O U R N A L I S T

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Marisa Finetti WRITERS

Shan Bates-Bundick, Elaine and Scott Harris, Jason Harris, Bobbie Katz, Art Nadler E D I T O R I A L A S S I S TA N T 8

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SPIRIT

of the Season

table of contents

The

covet

the gift the gift of transformation | holiday gift guide

conversation vladimir kush 22

au courant events calendar | society | african children’s choir 34

feature timeless traditions 44

arts & culture one night for one drop | social calendar 52

food + wine calendar | classic cocktail | piedmont | g.d. vajra 66

auctions

jet set zermatt, switzerland | aspen | beverly hills houmas house - louisiana | barolo, italy 100

health + beauty + spa bodyholiday: st. lucia | yasuragi | drift spa | book of beauté 106

best in class rooms with a view | winter wellness trends | classic cocktails local shopping | live music 118

real estate sotheby’s lake las vegas | lake tahoe | heber valley, utah 126

class notes

( RED) By Bobbie Katz

U2 frontman Bono and ONE co-founder Bobby Shriver created the nonprofit (RED) in 2006 to raise awareness and resources for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. Through Project RED, corporations such as American Express, Apple, Coca-Cola and Montblanc as well as world-renowned artists, designers and celebrities produce special “red” items.

Perfect for anyone on your holiday gift list, (RED) items run the gamut from socks to Vespa scooters. The partnership between Vespa (Piaggio Group) and (RED) has raised more than $350 million for the Global Fund. Sotheby’s will conduct a live auction in Miami to benefit (RED) on December 5. Two of the world’s art and architecture stars, Theaster Gates and Sir David Adjaye, have collaborated with Bono to curate the third (RED) Auction) auction, landmark sale and gala to support the fight against AIDS. Focused on the theme of light and the color red, the collection of artist-donated contemporary art and design will be auctioned by Sotheby’s during Art Basel Miami Beach and Design Miami that evening. Worldwide bidding will be available live and online. Preceding the auction is a public exhibition presented by Gagosian at the famed Moore Building in Miami. It opened on December 1, World AIDS Day. An online auction that began November 12 will continue through December 7. 

covet

Fifty percent of all sales from RED-labeled products featured on the red.org website support the Global Fund.

Th e G if t of Vl a d i mi r Ku s h

conversation

By Marsala Rypka | Russian translation by Sasha Betcher

Vladimir Kush grew up in Russia behind the Iron Curtain at a time when the only way to travel to foreign places was in his imagination. He started painting when he was three years old and by 14 he was emulating the styles of impressionist Paul Cézanne and surrealist Salvador Dali.

Vladimir Kush vyros v Sovetskom Souze za zheleznym zanavesom, gde yedinstvennim sposobom puteshestvovat v zagranichnie mesta bylo yego voobrazhenie. On nachal risovat v tri goda, a k chetirnadzati godam on stremilsya prevzoiti stili impressionista Polya Sezanna i syurrealista Salvadora Dali.

When the Cold War ended in 1990, Kush immigrated to Los Angeles with 20 paintings. Today he is a world-renowned artist with galleries in Maui, Laguna Beach, Planet Hollywood and The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.

Po okonchanii holodnoi voini v 1991 godu, Kush emigriroval v Los Angeles s dvadzatiu kartinami. Segodnya on proslavlennii po vsemu miru khudozhnik U nego yest’ khudozhestvennyye galerei v Maui, Laguna-Bich, Planeta Gollivud i Magaziny Foruma v Caesars Palace.

In his two books, Doors of Perception and Light for the Souls, Kush provides insight into the genesis of his brilliant, metaphorical pieces. But art is subjective, and in our Holiday issue, CLASS offers its own interpretation of some of the priceless gifts of Kush’s art.

V svoikh dvukh knigakh, “Dveri vospriyatiya” i «Svet dlya dush”, Kush daet predstavlenie o sotvorenii yego blestyashchikh metaforicheskikh proizvedeniy. No iskusstvo subyektivno, i v nashem prazdnichnom vipuske, CLASS predlagayet sobstvennuyu interpretatsiyu nekotorykh bestsennykh darov iskusstva Kusha.

THE GIFT OF LEARNING — “ASCENT OF THE SPIRIT”

Books provide the gift of knowledge and self-awareness, which can transform one’s life. To grow we must remain open to learning.

T H E G I F T O F C O M PA S S I O N — “ FA S H I O N W H I P P E D ”

To have empathy for others and feel what it’s like to walk in their shoes, whether they be Nike sneakers or Christian Louboutin stilettos, is a gift.

T H E G I F T O F N AT U R E — “ L O V E TA L K ”

God’s magnificence is present in the eternal mountains set in timeless rock, the lakes, trees and sky. Take in the wonder all around. Mother Nature is a priceless gift worthy of protecting.

THE GIFT OF AUTHENTICITY — “GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY”

Human beings are complex creatures. The gift comes when we are willing to peel away the myriad layers and reveal our true, authentic selves. 16

T H E G I F T O F C R E AT I V E E X P R E S S I O N — “ A R G E N T I N I A N TA N G O ”

The job of our feet is to walk, their gift is to dance. Whether it be ballet, classical, jazz or modern, dance is the language of the soul.

THE GIFT OF ADVENTURE — “FULL STEAM AHEAD”

Life is full of grand adventures, but we can also change our perspective and find the sacred in the ordinary, the mystical in the mundane.

T H E G I F T O F I L L U M I N AT I O N — “ D I V I N E G E O M E T RY ”

A kind word or random act of kindness can help illuminate the way for those going through dark times. No matter how small a light we are in the world, we can be a gift to others and ourselves.

Vladimir Kush

THE GIFT OF HOME — “TREE OF LIFE”

No matter the size, home is a sacred sanctuary that offers refuge and peace. Just as a tree grows from a tiny sapling into a mighty oak, so too can we grow and learn to cherish the gifts of wisdom, fortitude and forgiveness.

T H E G I F T O F G R AT I T U D E — “ C E L E B R AT I O N ”

THE GIFT OF LOVE — “RED PURSE”

Love is the greatest gift of all. We may store treasured memories and mementoes of a life well lived in this red purse or fill it with greed and excessiveness, which may lead to the separation of the two lovers.

Whether we engage in silent meditation or breaking open a bottle of bubbly, giving thanks for all the gifts with which we have been blessed is a ritual worth practicing. 

FEBRUARY 3

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker New York City Ballet New York City

Super Bowl LIII Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta, Georgia

DECEMBER 1

FEBRUARY 4-24

DECEMBER 1-2

Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel Opera Las Vegas Las Vegas

JANUARY 3-14

Palm Springs International Film Festival Palm Springs, California

DECEMBER 8-24

The Nutcracker Nevada Ballet Theatre Las Vegas

JANUARY 4

DECEMBER 16-17

JANUARY 4-6

Rotunda Holiday Concert at The Guggenheim Museum New York City

South Beach Jazz Festival Miami Beach, Florida

Ice Vegas Invitational Las Vegas

JANUARY 4-12 DECEMBER 20-31

12 Days of Aspen Aspen, Colorado

Winter Jazzfest New York City JANUARY 16-20

DECEMBER 24

Concert at the Eiffel Tower Paris

London Art Fair London JANUARY 20-21

DECEMBER 30 — JANUARY 1

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Edinburgh, Scotland

MLK Tribute Concert Chicago JANUARY 23-27

The LA Art Show Los Angeles JANUARY 24 — FEBRUARY 3

Sundance Film Festival Park City, Utah

JANUARY 29 — FEBR UARY 13

Rusalka National Opera of Paris Paris

2019 Chicago Musical Theatre Festival Chicago FEBRUARY 8-16

New York Fashion Week New York City FEBRUARY 9

An Evening With Brahms Las Vegas Philharmonic Las Vegas FEBRUARY 16-20

London Fashion Week London FEBRUARY 21-27

Milan Fashion Week Milan

FEBRUARY 22 — MARCH 5

Mardi Gras New Orleans FEBRUARY 23 — MARCH 5

Venice Carnival 2019 Venice, Italy FEBRUARY 27 — MARCH 6

Paris Fashion Week Paris

A Classic Holiday Las Vegas Philharmonic Las Vegas

au courant

DECEMBER 1-30 DECEMBER | JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019

a u c our a n t -

1. Darren White, Scooter McAdams, Darren McAdams and Bruce Courtnall 2. Simon Keith with Osker Gamboa and the 8th grade class at Somerset Academy 1.Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada Wish Kids, Osker, Owen, Abigail and Connor 2. Edgar Velazquez and Dan Giraldo

M A K E - A - W I S H S O U T H E R N N E VA D A W I N E & W I S H E S C O R P O R AT E A P P R E C I AT I O N E V E N T Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada’s Wine & Wishes Corporate Appreciation event was held Oct. 11 at The Wishing Place, Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada chapter’s office.

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More than 140 community partners who have made wishes come true over the past year attended. Greenberg Traurig and Bank of America presented the event, with additional event sponsors Audio Visual Advisors Inc., Destinations by Design, Flour & Barley, Breakthru Beverage, Cashman Photo, Elegant Entertainment, Foley Family Wines and Soli Concepts Entertainment.

Kendall Tenney was the emcee, and Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada CEO and President Caroline Ciocca was among the presenters. Photos courtesy of Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada

S I M O N K E I T H F O U N D AT I O N ’ S F I F T H A N N U A L G O L F TOURNAMENT AND DINNER

3. Shan Bates-Bundick, Leslie Frisbee and Michelle Sanchez 4. Greenberg Traurig representatives with Wish Kid Sultan 5. The Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada Team

Simon Keith, the first athlete in the world to play a professional sport (soccer) after receiving a heart transplant, hosted his fifth annual golf tournament and dinner on Friday, Oct. 5. The event benefits children who have undergone life-saving organ transplants and to increase organ donor awareness. The Simon Keith Foundation organized the event at the Revere Golf Club in Henderson, with a grant from the Engelstad Family Foundation for the tournament. The Foundation honors an organ transplant recipient each year: Osker Gamboa received a heart transplant on April 30, 2017, and continued his studies at Somerset Academy in North Las Vegas. An entourage made up of Keith, family, friends and school/board staff surprised Gamboa at an assembly. Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman proclaimed Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, as Osker Gamboa Day. Photos courtesy of Las Vegas Events

3. Simon Keith and Joe Ferreira 4. Simon Keith and his family - Sam (daughter), Kelly (wife), and Sean (son) 5. Michael Ravenhill

T H E L A S V E G A S P H I L H A R M O N I C 2 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY C E L E B R AT I O N

LAS VEGAS’ EIGHTH ANNUAL NF HOPE CONCERT

The Las Vegas Philharmonic kicked off its 20th anniversary season on Saturday, Sept. 15, with a performance at The Smith Center celebrating Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday.

Former Jersey Boys star Jeff Leibow and his wife, Melody, attracted the Las Vegas Strip’s most notable headliners to The Palazzo for the eighth annual NF Hope Concert on Sunday, Oct. 21.

The program featured Bernstein favorites, including Overture to Candide and Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. Guest pianist Joyce Yang brought the full house to their feet with her exquisite performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Following the concert, patrons and musicians enjoyed an onstage reception with Champagne, wine and specialty cupcakes.

Photos courtesy of the Las Vegas Philharmonic

The NF Hope Concerts were founded in 2011 by the couple soon after their daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue. This year’s concert featured Grammy Award-winning group All-4-One, two-time Grammy Award-nominee Clint Holmes, platinum-selling Australian superstars Human Nature, MO5AIC, The Bronx Wanderers, Finding Faith, the Las Vegas Academy Choir and more.

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The unforgettable afternoon of entertainment raised almost $140,000 for the Neurofibromatosis Network, an organization dedicated to the more than 128,000 living with NF in the United States.

Photos courtesy of Jeff Leibow

1. Rick Crawford, Joyce Yang and Jeri Crawford 2. Michele Averitt, Michele Madole, John Madole and Steve Averitt

3. Cathy Brooks and Jen Consalvo

THE LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC

G U I L D ’ S H O L LY W O O D H A P P E N I N G The Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild presented a Hollywood Happening on Sunday, Oct. 28, at JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa. 5

The gala event served as a fundraiser for the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s youth outreach and education programs, including the Youth Concert Series and Music Van. It featured a Champagne reception, silent auction, luncheon and a fashion show by Chico’s. Guests were encouraged to dress as their favorite Hollywood celebrity. Entertainment included the Clark High School Music Ensemble, the Inside Out Trio and The “Fabulous” Vegas Good Fellas The Guild has been raising funds to benefit the orchestra for the past 16 seasons and has contributed more than $600,000 to the Philharmonic’s education programs. Photos courtesy of the Las Vegas Philharmonic

1. Cocktail Cabaret 6 4. Regina Marcy, Sondra Lynch and Toni Carpenter 5. Bob and Shirley Kramer 6. Gail Findley, Georgia Johnson, Adrienne Dabah, Beverly McIntosh, Ann Geskes, Shirley Kramer and Patsy Taylor

2. All-4-One 3. Jasmine Trias and Ben Stone 4. Full Cast 5. Jeff, Melody and Emma Leibow and Chet Buchanan

patron for a cause

MICHELLE DiTONDO & DENISE BERNINGER for promoting youth hockey

W I L D A I D G A L A 2 0 1 8 , “ A N E V E N I N G I N C H I N A” WildAid, a global nonprofit organization leading the fight to end the illegal wildlife product trade, raised $2.4 million at its annual gala, “An Evening in China,” on Saturday, Nov. 10 at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Actresses Danai Gurira and Bryce Dallas Howard were honored as this year’s Wildlife Champions for their partnerships with WildAid. They helped in public service announcements to support the organization’s message, “When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too.”

Thanks to the Vegas Golden Knights, youth hockey has become wildly popular in the nontraditional desert city of Las Vegas. But it is also a very expensive sport.

Celebrities who attended included Josh Duhamel, Michael Cudlitz, Bo Derek, Maggie Q and Dylan McDermott. Grammy Award-winner David Foster provided the musical entertainment with special guest performances from Pia Toscano and Sheléa. “An Evening in China” featured a cocktail and hor d’oeuvres reception with a silent and live auction. Guests enjoyed the three-course vegetarian dinner by celebrity master chef Martin Yan. Photos courtesy of Jeff Pinette

That is why Michelle DiTondo and Denise Berninger volunteer countless hours organizing fundraisers, often in partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, to provide scholarships that help pay for equipment and time on the ice for members of the Vegas Junior Golden Knights hockey organization. It is especially expensive for children who qualify to be part of the Vegas Junior Golden Knights Travel Team, who can compete four to six times a season in out-of-state games or tournaments. Fortunately, kids can begin hockey in a program called “Learn to Play” sponsored by the NHL. Players who graduate from this program receive a free set of hockey equipment. DiTondo and Berninger said youth hockey provides a fun and safe environment where children learn important life lessons such as teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline, self-esteem and respect. They can also develop lifelong friendships.

1. Dylan McDermott and Maggie Q 2. Bo Derek and David Foster 3. Marsala Rypka, Josh Duhamel and Leslie Frisbee 4. Danai Gurira and Michael Cudlitz 5. Peter and Corie Knights

In February 2019, the Vegas Junior Golden Knights will host their second annual Wine on Ice fundraiser at City National Arena. The event is supported by the Vegas Golden Knights, and it will include a wine tasting, raffle and silent auction. For more information, go to vegasgoldenknightsjr.com.

The A fr i c a n Ch ildr e n’s C h o i r SINGING A NEW TUNE FOR THE FUTURE 30

The African Children’s Choir performs at 7 p.m. March 4, 2019, at the Las Vegas Junior Academy | africanchildrenschoir.com

By Bobbie Katz On a humanitarian trip to Uganda in 1984, during that country’s bloody civil war, human rights activist Ray Barnett helped some of the many thousands of orphaned and starving children who had been abandoned and were unable to feed themselves. Realizing that it was a daunting task, he and his team came up with a unique approach to make a meaningful difference: They would give these children something to sing about.

West for a tour among North American church communities. Inspiring audiences with songs and their stories, the choir raised enough funds to open the first Children’s Home at Makerere, which provided a stable environment and a quality education for the choir children and additional children who needed care. A second choir selected from that Children’s Home also went on tour.

That something turned out to be the first African Children’s Choir, composed of kids selected from at-risk and orphaned children in the Kampala and Luwero areas of Uganda. The inspiration came when Barnett gave a small boy a ride from his decimated home to the safety of another village. During the journey, the child did what he knew how to do best — he sang. That simple song of dignity and hope became the catalyst for a program that has changed the lives of thousands of children and reshaped the future of the African continent.

The African Children’s Choir became the messenger for the plight of thousands of other vulnerable children in Uganda. A fundraising arm, Music for Life, was formed to improve the lives, education and future for thousands of children suffering in terrible conditions in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa. To date, more than 50,000 children have been educated and more than 100,000 children have been helped through the African Children’s Choir and Music for Life education and relief projects.

“When I went back to Canada and people were not very interested in Uganda, I remembered this small boy,” Barnett said. “I knew that if only a group of these beautiful children could go to the West, people would be deeply moved and would certainly want to help. Inspired by the singing of this one small boy, we formed the first African Children’s Choir to show that Africa’s most vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability.”

The African Children’s Choir is composed of African children, 7 to 10 years old, many of whom have lost one or both parents through the devastation of war, famine and disease. In concert, they perform delightful African tunes, accompanied by ethnic instrumentation. The program features well-loved children’s songs, handclapping, traditional spirituals and contemporary tunes. Over the past 20 years, the children have appeared in thousands of concerts around the world, including concerts at the Pentagon and the United Nations.

Rallying support, Barnett coordinated the first tour of the choir, which successfully brought the voices of 31 children of war-torn Africa to the

Where there’s music, there’s hope. 

Gratitude

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; David Steindl-Rast

I T I S N O T J OY T H AT M A K E S U S G R AT E F U L ; I T I S G R AT I T U D E T H AT M A K E S U S J OY F U L .

This complex, evolving and maddeningly contradictory social phenomenon defies easy definition. But in that effort, let’s examine three touchstones – a song, a story and a ballet – all of which have significantly impacted the holiday as we now experience it.

Do you see cynical manipulation to prompt unbridled consumption? Or do you focus on the acts of generosity, large and small, committed this season by people of all faiths – including simply faith in the worthiness of humanity.

Feelings toward the end-of-year holidays in contemporary society is a sort of Rorschach test which reveals more about the responder that the subject itself.

Gifts, feasts, the wonder of childhood? Crowded shopping centers, tiresome music, lengthy flight delays in the effort to visit distant family members? Classic holiday films from the 1940s or animated television programs from the 1960s? Religious reverence, melancholy, carols, stress, joy, disappointment? Or perhaps it means nothing at all.

W H AT D O E S T H E H O L I D AY S E A S O N M E A N T O Y O U ?

By Buford Davis

Tr a d i t i o n s

Timeless

“Silent Night” has since been translated into about 140 more languages and in 2011 was named an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

The melody evolved slightly during this period into its slower, more contemplative current version, and in 1859 the lyrics were translated into English by John Freeman Young, an Episcopal priest in New York City.

From that first performance, the carol slowly spread by two troupes of traveling folk singers, one of whom – the Rainers – delivered the first U.S. performance, in New York City in 1839.

ICONIC CAROL

Mohr’s lyrics, a yearning for earthly peace and tranquility, undoubtedly resonated with congregants still hurting from this upheaval and would soon reach the world over.

The town, which today has a population of about 5,000, had recently suffered a sort of rupture from conflict, as it was officially split from sister city Laufen. The towns are separated by the Salzach River, which became the German-Austrian border in that location following the 1814-1815 Vienna Congress, which aimed to redraw disputed territory in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars.

ilent night

The lyrics, originally in German, were penned in 1816 by the town’s parish priest, Father Joseph Mohr. Two years later, Mohr asked an organist in a nearly village, Franz Xaver Gruber, to compose a melody for that year’s Christmas Eve mass in Obendorf’s St. Nicholas Church.

The song was first performed 200 years ago this Christmas Eve, in the Tyrolean town of Oberndorf, on the Austrian side of the German border about 11 miles north of Salzburg.

THE FIRST SILENT NIGHT

The gesture sparked a day of communal celebration, at least one soccer match and the singing of Christmas carols, one most notably. “Silent Night” drifted from both sides of the front that night in a melodic blend of languages.

Christmas Eve 1914 saw a temporary ceasefire implemented, not from the top of command, but – remarkably – from the bottom. Unarmed German soldiers emerged from their trenches to wish British and American troops Merry Christmas.

The conflict would soon explode into one of the most deadly that humanity to that point had experienced (the death toll of about 20 million people was eclipsed in mortality only by China’s Taiping Civil War, half a century earlier), one in which emerging modern technology would transmute into efficient tools for killing. But no one yet could fully predict the horror that was to come.

In December 1914, the trajectory of World War I was uncertain, as tensions between leaders of Allied and Central powers simmered and troops stationed at some areas of the front were left in an ambiguous state between combat and standoff.

CHRISTMAS TRUCE

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house ot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; he stockings were hung by the chimney with care, n hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; he children were nestled all snug in their beds; hile visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; nd mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, ad just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap, hen out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. way to the window I flew like a flash, ore open the shutters and threw up the sash. he moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, ave a lustre of midday to objects below, hen what to my wondering eyes did appear, ut a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer, ith a little old driver so lively and quick, knew in a moment he must be St. Nick. ore rapid than eagles his coursers they came, nd he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen! n, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen! o the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! ow dash away! dash away! dash away all!” s leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, hen they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; o up to the housetop the coursers they flew ith the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too— nd then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof he prancing and pawing of each little hoof. s I drew in my head, and was turning around, own the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. e was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, nd his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; bundle of toys he had flung on his back, nd he looked like a pedler just opening his pack. is eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry! is cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! is droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, nd the beard on his chin was as white as the snow; he stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, nd the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath; e had a broad face and a little round belly hat shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. e was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, nd I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; wink of his eye and a twist of his head oon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; e spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, nd filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, nd laying his finger aside of his nose, nd giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; e sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, nd away they all flew like the down of a thistle. ut I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight— Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” The poem shaped Christmas culture for generations of celebrants, and the Santa Claus many of us revered and feared throughout childhood would not be the same without it.

“A Visit From St. Nicholas” established key elements of Santa, including his portly build, jovial demeanor, nicotine indulgence, as well as his rather unusual mode of transportation and making an entrance.

The now-familiar Santa Claus is an amalgam of several mythological figures from western European traditions, but is based on the life of the fourth century Greek bishop St. Nicholas of Myra (a town on the southern coast of presentday Turkey). He was renowned for his generosity, piety and Christian charity.

And the focus on Christmas as the major end-of-year holiday over New Year’s Day was well underway but still slowed by a Catholic-Protestant divide about how to properly celebrate the season.

In the early 1800s, the concept of a gift-dispensing saint transported from the far north by eight caribou (the ninth, Rudolph, would have to wait another 116 years to be folded into the mythology, thanks to the booklet by Robert L. May) was not fully solidified in the public consciousness.

Authorship remains controvertible, but the influence the poem has had on contemporary Christmas mythology and tradition is not.

SHAPING A LEGEND

Some historians believe the poem was written by Henry Livingston Jr., based on his idiosyncratic linguistic style and Dutch heritage. Two of the reindeer were originally given the names Dunder and Blixem, which means Thunder and Lightning in Old Dutch. But Livingston is not known ever to have claimed the work.

Controversy over the legitimacy of Moore’s claim quickly grew – more than half a dozen other people had already professed to be the writer of “A Visit From St. Nicholas” by 1837 – and remains to this day.

W H O R E A L LY P E N N E D T H E C L A S S I C ?

Fourteen years later, the New York-based poet Clement Clarke Moore came forward as the author, explaining that he wrote the whimsical poem for his children and did not want it to stand with his body of more academic work.

“A Visit From St. Nicholas,” the lesser used but official title, first appeared under anonymous authorship in the December 23, 1823, edition of the Troy Sentinel in eastern New York.

The opening lines of this children’s Christmas poem are among the most famous words ever penned about the holiday.

“… and all thro’ the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The ballet, featuring staging by famed choreographer/director George Balanchine, was first performed in New York City Ballet in 1954. Today, it is one of the most performed ballets in North America, becoming a staple of dance companies’ holiday season lineups.

Despite the tepid initial reception, the ballet continued to be performed in Russia with alterations to the choreography and casting. The Nutcracker’s first international performance was in 1934, in England, and in 1940 it was performed in the United States for the first time, in New York City.

B E C O M I N G A H O L I D AY C L A S S I C

The inspiration for the ballet is the 1844 tale by Alexandre Dumas, The Story of a Nutcracker, which was adapted from an 1816 story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, by Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann.

Only the score by the esteemed Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who would be dead at age 53 within a year, received widespread approval.

MUSICAL AND LITERARY LEGACY

The production was panned for a range of supposed shortcomings, including the appearance and execution of dancers, confusing choreography and the heavy reliance on child performers.

The Nutcracker was a major disappointment. That was the consensus from the collection of critics who were in St. Petersburg, Russia’s Imperial Mariinsky Theater when the two-act ballet premiered on December 18, 1892.

AN INITIAL STUMBLE

e h T

Nutcracker

As I struggle to properly construct this conclusion, I am sitting with my daughter at a breakfast table and remembering the holiday moments we have shared through her early childhood. The Christmas mornings, nativity pageants, parades, trips to visit family members across the country.

And it is that abiding spirit which is the fundamental pull of Christmas through the ages.

The essential, in matters of faith, is the abiding spirit of shared humanity that characterizes the evolution of our often interwoven religious paths, saving those that sheer off into the darkness that is all too familiar.

She pauses as though contemplating before speaking again. “Christmas is awesome.” 

“Well, I think about snow,” she answers, even though we live in Southern Nevada and have rarely experienced it during the holidays. “And all the lights and people singing. People being happy. The spirit, that’s what.”

“Are you excited for Christmas,” I ask her as she denudes a bagel of its cream cheese topping. She nods. “What do you think of, when you think about the holidays?”

My daughter has placed a foot beyond this threshold, but I sense that she resists stepping over. I understand the reticence, because there is no returning to the beautiful place. All one is allowed from this side is the occasional brief glimpse, not enough to regain the feeling, but to remind us, at least, of what we once felt.

But now she has reached that threshold where the magic of childhood settles to the recesses of the adult mind, only to be stirred in moments that are at once beautiful and pensive. Saudade is the Portuguese word. There is no English equivalent. But it surely exists, and can be heard still – if not muted by intellectual support or the mechanical grind of the inorganic machine we now wrap around our lives. Each of us is free to adopt a faith that is most comfortable – or more often familiar and convenient – and that best fits our lives and worldview. Yet we should recognize we will certainly be wrong in the details.

She has seen The Nutcracker and performed “Silent Night” while dressed in a polyester robe and cardboard angel wings. We have together read “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” our favorite rendition being a whimsical adaptation in thick Cajun dialect. Across time and distance, human society is marked by a sense of belief in something beyond this existence. Whether it a psychological construction necessary for our complex brains or the original echo of a creator, none of us have perspective enough to determine.

THE SPIRIT

Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM LESIMKHA! GËZUAR KRISHLINDJET! SRETAN BOZIC! MERII KURISUMASU! MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT! BOAS FESTAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! JOYEUX NOËL! ZALIG KERSTFEEST! FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! BUON NATALE! MILAD MUBARAK! MO’ADIM

One Night for One Drop C R E AT E S A F L O W O F H U M A N I TA R I A N I S M

By Bobbie Katz | Photos courtesy of One Night for One Drop

“Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink …” Those words, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1797-98 in his poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” portray the life essence of water as experienced by sailors stuck in an ice jam surrounded only by the saltiness of the sea. Centuries later, that phrase has been burned into our consciousness, but it echoes today in a harsh reality depicting one of the world’s biggest problems — lack of water that is safe to drink. 44

It is to that avail that Cirque du Soleil presents its annual philanthropic event, One Night for One Drop, in which cast and crew donate their talent and time to create a unique and breathtaking theatrical show for one night only to support the international nonprofit organization One Drop. In 2019, the seventh edition of the celebrated charity show will take place on March 8 in the “O” Theatre at Bellagio Resort & Casino under the direction of André Kasten and Leah Moyer. Created by Cirque’s founder Guy Laliberté in 2007, One Drop is dedicated to providing access to safe water. “Water is behind everything else,” said Jerry Nadal, Cirque du Soleil’s senior vice president, resident shows, and executive producer of One Night for One Drop. “Guy dug into the issue and discovered that the majority of the ways of providing access to clean water were not sustainable. So he decided to take a sustainable approach with people who were already involved and not reinvent the wheel. Through its unique Social Art for Behavior Change approach, One Drop mobilizes communities, raises awareness and fosters healthy water and sanitation habits to work toward sustainability.” Since 2013, the event has raised more than $35 million to support One Drop’s mission. Providing sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene is a transformative force to improve the living conditions of some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, Nadal says.

“Right now, we’re active in Central America (Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador), Africa and India” Nadal said. “Each one is a five-year project. We use local social arts — painting of murals and theater — to institute a change of behavior in the communities that will emotionally resonate with them. It’s the psychological aspect. We work together with them, but we don’t tell them what to do.” AT A G L A N C E , T H E P R O B L E M S E E M S I N S U R M O U N TA B L E :  2.1 billion people don’t have access to safe water at home.  Every 90 seconds, a child dies from a waterborne disease.  2.4 billion people lack adequate sanitation facilities.  A third of

all schools lack basic water and sanitation facilities.

 The average distance a woman has to walk daily to collect water is 3.7 miles, or the lengths of  443 million school days are missed each year because of

65 football fields.

water-related illnesses.

But as proof that one entity can make a difference, One Drop has the ability to end up impacting 1.3 million people. While he and Laliberté collectively came up with the concept for One Night for One Drop, Nadal was the one who suggested doing a fundraiser in Las Vegas using Cirque talent. The charity event is different every year, and it takes four to five months to prepare for this one night. Kasten and Moyer, who were choreographers for the 2014 and 2015 events, are writing and directing the 2019 show. By November 2018, it had already been a six-month project. 46

“We’re doing a new take on the show,” Kasten said. “Our vision has come from having been part of it and seeing it throughout the years. Previously, the shows have been about water as a charity. Ours is not necessarily an entire story about trying to find water. Our approach is one of empathy. It’s difficult for us to know what it’s like not to have water. We want to connect with the audience on a personal level and try to move them.”

André Kasten & Leah Moyer Photo by Corey Fox

social calendar

16th Annual International Black-Tie New Year’s Eve Gala Washington, D.C.

DECEMBER 31

The Art of Christmas 2018 — A Gala for Giving Chicago

FEBRUARY 28

jan

Vienna Opera Ball 2019 Vienna, Austria

DECEMBER 22

Monday’s Dark Turns Five! Las Vegas Greater Washington Region Heart Ball Washington, D.C.

Angel Gala 2019 Benefiting Cancer Research Minneapolis, Minnesota

DECEMBER 17

JANUARY 26 FEBRUARY 23

The Arnott’s Foundation 2019 Gala Ball & Charity Auction Sydney, Australia

FEBRUARY 22

amfAR Gala New York 2019 New York City

FEBRUARY 6

Nevada Ballet Theatre Black & White Ball Las Vegas

Ladies of All Nations International Christmas Gala London JANUARY 26

DECEMBER 15

33rd Annual NDSS Gala & Auction New York City

JANUARY 24

ACRIA 23rd Annual Holiday Dinner Benefiting AIDS Research and Prevention New York City

78th Annual Vienna Philharmonic Ball Vienna, Austria

JANUARY 24

DECEMBER 13

The Global Gift Gala Dubai, UAE

San Francisco Ballet Opening Night Gala San Francisco

JANUARY 23

FEBRUARY 1

feb

The UNICEF Dallas Gala Dallas

“Water is a global issue,” he sums up. “It is a finite resource globally that we have to share. It’s not someone else’s problem. It affects everyone on our planet. We are all connected. It is our problem.” 

FEBRUARY 1

Overall, there is one important message Nadal wants the audience to understand.

DECEMBER 13

19th Annual Hope for All Gala Benefiting Camillus House, Inc. Miami

DECEMBER 8

23rd Annual “Be A Voice” Gala Benefiting Voices for Children Foundation Miami

JANUARY 19

The Clink Charity Ball London

“In writing it, André and I came in with a strong plan and approach,” Moyer said. “We were open to how the stage and art spoke to us. Ultimately, this show is a reason to bring people together to care about their fellow man. We should care when our brothers and sisters of the world are in need.”

Opera Las Vegas’ Spectacular Gala Las Vegas

There are 115 cast members representing many genres not normally associated with Cirque. Ninety percent of the music is original, written by Michael Brennan, Franco Dragone’s composer, and Tony Award-nominated lyricist and arranger AnnMarie Milazzo. Alexander Ekman and Andrew Winghart are choreographing the show.

première classe FEBRUARY 2

“In the end, Everyman feels overwhelmed by the world around him,” Kasten said. “But he doesn’t know how to help. Through Drop, he learns that it all starts with one touch of kindness, which creates a ripple effect. The change we seek truly starts with ourselves.”

Annual Giving for Life Gala San Diego

The theme revolves around two main characters, Everyman and a seven-year-old girl named Drop who personifies One Night for One Drop. Everyman is going through life with blinders on, and Drop takes him — and the audience — on a journey of enlightenment through natural beauty, technology, excess, destruction, humanity, and love and loss. Each aspect is a personification in the show.

JANUARY 11

The Art of Elysium Heavenly Gala Los Angeles

JANUARY 5

dec

PROUDLY PRESENTS AN EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY WITH CIRQUE DU SOLEIL TO BENEFIT ONE DROP AND SUPPORT THE CAUSE OF WATER GLOBALLY

MARCH 8, 2019 Bellagio Resort & Casino, Las Vegas CLASS has partnered with One Drop to offer our readers an exclusive opportunity for a rare behind-the-scenes experience at One Night for One Drop.

BID ON OR BUY AN ALL-ACCESS VIP PACKAGE! Each package includes: Two all-access tickets per package. The opportunity to walk the blue carpet with Cirque du Soleil performers. An intimate dinner with Jerry Nadal, Senior Vice President of Cirque du Soleil, for you and seven guests at your home. Dinner will be prepared by a celebrity chef and featured in an upcoming issue of CLASS magazine. An exclusive sponsor-only pre-show cocktail reception featuring gourmet food selections and premium wines and spirits. A unique one-night-only breathtaking theatrical show imagined by Cirque du Soleil featuring world-renowned guest performers alongside Cirque du Soleil artists. The show raises funds for One Dropâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s global water initiatives. An incredible immersive post-show party that caps off the evening with special guest performances, a selection of gourmet food and desserts, and premium wines and spirits.

**TO BID ON OR BUY, TEXT ONOD TO 474747

food++

G H O S T D O N K E Y, T H E C O S M O P O L I T A N , L A S V E G A S

DECEMBER 13-16

Siesta Beach Seafood & Music Festival Siesta Key, Florida

Sotheby’s Wine Holiday Tasting New York City

Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival Palm Beach, Florida

DECEMBER 1

DECEMBER 8

DECEMBER 15-16

Noe Valley Holiday Wine Walk San Francisco

Holiday Chocolate Festival Colorado Springs, Colorado

Christmas Beer Festival Essen, Belgium

DECEMBER 1

DECEMBER 10-22

DECEMBER 31

South Island Wine & Food Festival Christchurch, New Zealand

The Bracebridge Dinner Yosemite National Park, California

Brew Year’s Eve Chicago

JANUARY 11-27

JANUARY 18

JANUARY 26-27

Niagara Icewine Festival Niagara Falls, Ontario

The Carltun Food & Wine Festival East Meadow, New York

Coastal Virginia Winefest Virginia Beach, Virginia

JANUARY 12

JANUARY 19

JANUARY 27

Champagne & Cheese Tasting Lunch London

Fine Wine & Food Festival Long Island, New York

The Pocono Winter Wine, Food & Spirits Festival Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

JANUARY 17-19

JANUARY 23-26

Zinfandel Experience San Francisco

Manchester Beer & Cider Festival Manchester, England

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 3

FEBRUARY 1

FEBRUARY 21-24

FEBRUARY 20-24

Winter Wine Tasting Evening London

The Seattle Wine & Food Experience Seattle

Chocoa Festival Amsterdam Amsterdam, The Netherlands

FEBRUARY 2

FEBRUARY 22

FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 3

Chicago Ale Fest Chicago

French Cuisine and Wine Tasting Santa Barbara, California

Vancouver International Wine Festival Vancouver, British Columbia

FEBRUARY 20-24

FEBRUARY 23

FEBRUARY 28

South Beach Wine & Food Festival Miami Beach, Florida

Chocolate, Wine & Whiskey Festival Washington, D.C.

Forks & Corks Wine Dinner Hampton Bays, New York

Taos Winter Wine Festival Santa Fe, New Mexico

january

1 oz Montelobos Mezcal 1 oz Cachaça 1 oz Thai coconut cream 3/4 oz mango puree 3/4 oz turmeric/ginger 1/2 oz lime juice Method: Shake and strain over pebble ice in a tiki mug. Garnish with dehydrated mango. For inspiration: “The Captain Mango inspiration came from my love for tiki cocktails. I wanted to incorporate some of the elements that make Ghost Donkey a special place. There are Mexican ingredients like ancho chilies and mescal with funky and fun flavors like the ones from Cachaça, turmeric and mango. The cocktail is a smoky, fruity and spicy little fiesta in your mouth!” – Nacho Jimenez Bar Manager, Ghost Donkey

C L A S S I C C O C K TA I L S By Jason Harris

Peach Diggit y SAINT ELLIE, DENVER

2 parts Glenfiddich Fire & Cane 3/4 part peach tea simple syrup 1/2 part fresh lemon juice 1/2 part egg white Shaved cinnamon Method: Combine all ingredients except cinnamon in a shaker, add ice and shake till chilled and diluted. Strain cocktail into a small shaker and discard ice. Shake again vigorously and strain into a coupe. Garnish with grated cinnamon on top. For inspiration: “It was fairly serendipitous. I had a slight cold leaving work, where I had just tried the Fire & Cane, and I was going to the store to pick up some tea. While taking in all the options on the shelf, I noticed the peach tea. With the whisky still lingering on my palate, I realized that it would be a great combination.” – Alexander Kady On Premise Specialist, Denver William Grant & Sons Inc

53 food + wine

DECEMBER 3

december

NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 2

february

food + wine calendar 52

C ap tai n M ang o

Unesco Hills photo courtesy of Archivio Consorzio per la Tutela dell’Asti

Piedmont: I t a ly ’s Ta ble of Wint er Gif t s By Marisa Finetti

Few places in Italy are more magical than Piedmont in the northwest corner of Italy. Its gentle rolling landscape often shrouded in fog, the region is so charming and mysterious, it’s a sort of Brigadoon — mystical, unaffected by time and otherworldly.

It is home to some of the greatest wines of the world that by no coincidence complement the region’s nuanced dishes. To characterize Piedmontese cuisine would be to describe its simplicity, harmoniously balanced with just the right amount of complexity and devotion to richness. How this region came to develop food that is so different from other parts of Italy has much to do with its isolation from the rest of the country. Cradled by the Swiss Alps to the north, the French Alps to the west and the Ligurian or Maritime Alps to the south, the Piedmontese table is distinctive. But its closest neighbor, France, has provided the greatest influence. Exemplified by its employment of rich, weighty and mouth-coating ingredients from mayonnaise to béchamel sauces, the cuisine exudes luxury and refinement. Here is a look at some of the mouth-watering ingredients and dishes — the gifts — for which Piedmont is known:

HAZELNUTS

Curiously crunchy with a slight essence of chocolate, the hazelnut from Piedmont is a memorable experience. The Nocciola Tonda Gentile Trilobata is a trilobed, noble round known for its textural intensity and delicate fragrance. It’s no wonder this little thing of beauty is completely absorbed by high-end chocolate and confectionery makers of the world.

Grissini Il Germoglio dei Sapori White Truffle Photo courtesy of Stefania Spadoni, Archivio Centro Studi Tartufo

CHEESE

Hazelnuts Cheese Photo courtesy of Consorzio Robiola di Roccaverano DOP

The cheeses of Piedmont are some of Italy’s most luxurious. Castelmagno PDO, for example, is produced in only three small hamlets. The unique production process of the cow’s milk curd and the aging in caves give Castelmagno an unmistakable taste and flavor. Many other fine varieties are produced locally, including Robiola di Roccaverano, Murazzano and Toma. They are made in such small amounts, commercialization is impossible, which means a trip to Piedmont is in store.

GRISSINI

A staple in restaurants and a favorite in many households, breadsticks first appeared around the 1300s in Turin. Nobles liked them because they aided digestion. Even Napoleon sent his troops to Turin to stock his personal stash. Grissini is traditionally made by hand and stretched to arm’s length. Each baker typically applies a signature “mark” at the tip. The crispy perfection, flavor and character released upon a snap when bitten are addicting. WHITE TRUFFLES OF ALBA

White truffles are the ultimate luxury commodity: rare, precious and getting more so all the time. They arrive only a few months of the year. When impossibly thin slices of fresh white truffles gracefully drift down onto the plate, it creates sheer pleasure. The aroma is uniquely pungent, transcendent and sublime. It conjures images of walking hand-in-hand on soft soil in a wooded forest on a drizzly day. Its rarity luminously elevates dishes such as fried eggs, carne cruda or tajarin. Stay faithful to Piedmont and pair with Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera.

V I T E L L O T O N N AT O Vitello Tonnato photo courtesy of Villa Prato Risotto photo courtesy of Cristiano Gramegna, Osteria Rosso di Sera

The genius in Piedmontese cuisine is the ability to transform a few simple ingredients to create a dish of texture and flavor never previously imagined. This distinctiveness is nowhere more evident than in vitello tonnato. Adored by locals, sumptuous veal is sliced and dressed with a bright and citrusy mayonnaise-based sauce that is deliciously salty, thanks to the addition of tuna, capers and anchovies. This classic regional dish incorporates ingredients from the sea that are not indigenous to the area. But trade with the neighboring coastal region of Liguria has acquired olive oil, capers, citrus and preserved fish throughout the ages. RISOTTO

Rich, creamy and comforting, risotto could easily be the main dish, but typically it is served as a primo (first course) in Piedmont. Perhaps the most well-known variety is Arborio from the town with the same name in the Po Valley. But there are a number of varieties to enjoy, such as Sant’Andrea, with its distinctive size grains and intrinsic characteristics to make a luxurious risotto. In the rice-growing region of Vercelli is Baraggia, an area which grows the first and only Italian rice to bear the PDO (protected designations of origin) label. The generous flow of water from the mountains nourishes the Baraggia rice varieties, creating the unique flavors, quality and organoleptic characteristics of Arborio, Baldo, Balilla, Carnaroli and Sant’Andrea, among others.

TA J A R I N Tajarin photo courtesy of Villa Prato

Piedmont has fantastic eggs. And when it comes to pasta, the region boasts two main forms: tajarin (Piedmontese for tagliatelle) and agnolotti, Piedmont’s ravioli — both of which are distinctively golden in color from the high egg content. Some recipes call for up to 40 egg yolks to create a two-pound dough. This profusion imparts a rich, silky texture with an affirmative bite one can’t find anywhere else.

patron for a cause

D R . T R U D Y L A R S O N | for organ, eye and tissue donations

On the governing board for Nevada Donor Network, Dr. Trudy Larson has been an infectious disease specialist for more than three decades. Her work with the Organ and Tissue Donor Program at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine provides a statewide perspective of donation. A recent medical breakthrough allows people with Hepatitis C who die from a drug overdose to be donors, which reduces the waiting list, Larson says. After receiving an organ from someone with Hepatitis C and taking medication for 12 weeks, recipients are cured and have a functioning kidney, liver or heart, Larson says. Tissue donations (eyes, tendons, bone and skin) are used in orthopedic surgery, heart-valve replacements and skin transplants for burn victims.

Unesco Hills photo courtesy of Archivio Consorzio per la Tutela dell’Asti

Historically, the city of Turin was French because it was the seat of the House of Savoy, the French family who would eventually become the rulers of Italy. But to view Piedmont as an Italianate extension of France is not accurate. Piedmont may have been influenced, but not dictated to. Rather, it developed its own culture and cuisine, relying on the land and its resources. It’s hardly the place to grow olives for oil, so local dishes use butter and lard, which lend silky, rich textures to food. Specialties are cheeses, rice, hazelnuts, chocolate and truffles. Meats and root vegetables are generally cooked for long periods over low heat to allow the flavors to develop and impart a deliciously tasty and hearty character, perfect for getting through the cold winters.

considered treasures. Now a worldwide movement, Slow Food was born in the village of Bra with the mission to elevate the appreciation of local food, cultures and traditions. The commitment to producing and refining the region’s specialty foods and ingredients is unparalleled, but not by any means glamorous. Shake the rough, calloused hand of a farmer, and meet a person who has worked in food production all his life — whether it’s cheesemaking in the high elevations or growing rice in the fields of Vercelli.

Instead of pizzas and tomato-based pasta sauces found in other parts of Italy, starchy dishes here consist of risotto and polenta.

Piedmontese cuisine is an irresistible feast of hearty foods made with passion. Start with half a dozen antipasti, followed by one or two courses invariably involving egg-rich pasta such as tajarin, followed by a meat course. To complete the experience, the food is best paired with the wines of the area, such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera and Dolcetto.

Piedmontese cuisine remains persistently seasonal and highly localized. Native foods and wines are

To truly experience the immensely palatable wealth of the region is to taste it. 

“Donation is noble,” Larson said. “Every board meeting at the Nevada Donor Network starts with a donor family or recipient sharing their story of how loss turned into hope, which reminds us of our mission.” Joe Ferreira, president and CEO of the Nevada Donor Network, has elevated the bar by investing in more training and diversifying services, resulting in a culture of excellence, Larson says. The organization is a world leader in the number of lives saved per capita served. “Our goal is to increase the number and type of transplants by increasing donation and the specialized doctors and staff needed for transplantation,” Larson said. “The public’s support is vital and appreciated.”

Na t ur e Gu i d e s th e L i g h t AT G . D . VA J R A W I N E RY

By Marisa Finetti | photos courtesy of G.D. VAJRA

Standing next to a glistening stainless steel fermentation tank in the cellar of G.D. VAJRA winery, Francesca Vaira draws attention to the hue-rich stained-glass windows. While the art does not directly reference winemaking, it has everything to do with her family’s philosophy and style, she says. In the hamlet of Vergne, a few miles west and high above the village of Barolo, G.D. VAJRA is a pioneer among Barolo producers, established in the 1970s by Francesca’s father, Aldo Vaira. He had the vision to build an organic operation well before it was a glimmer in other producers’ eyes.

The family — Milena and Aldo Vaira and their three grown children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro — often regard themselves as instruments of nature, enabling their surrounding environment and terroir to fully express themselves through their wines.

Each day is a celebration of the land and its native grapes — Nebbiolo, Freisa, Dolcetto, Barbera and others — which are all reflected in their wines. The Vairas incarnated their distinctive way of thinking with a wine cellar that is far from cold and clinical. Instead, the cellar conjures reflection, reverence and inspiration. The windows are made of vibrant colors that commingle, the sun’s rays providing subtle to vigorous strokes of light. At this moment, it’s blue and magenta. With the Earth’s rotation, they evolve and then dissolve into yet another spectrum. “Four hundred times a day, the light is different,” Francesca said. “This reminds us that the little details are making the difference!” Padre Costantino Ruggeri, a Franciscan monk and artist, recognized the sensitivity of this place, the Vaira family and their dreams. In turn, they trusted his skill and ingenuity, providing no guidance to the creation of the glass panels for their estate. “That was a key time for us,” Francesca said. “We realized that when you are a true artist, you’re not expecting anyone else to tell you what to do. You do it! Through this we realized that The Vaira family

nature is the true artist. We try to transmit the beauty to the wines.” The link between the two embodies the spirit of the Vaira family. While looking at the windows, she says, “It’s good way to stay humble, but at the same time keep the tension high.” Craftsmanship is the fabric woven through all the details of their labor — from painstaking work in the vineyard to meticulous triple sorting of grapes. “It is propelled by enthusiasm and nurtured by the most important terroir, the heart of each person of our team,” Aldo Vaira said. When speaking with any member of the Vaira family, one is compelled to go beyond the technical aspects of the wines and embark on the family’s journey that goes into making the wines. But technical, they can be. Isidoro points to some rocks and asks, “What do you think this is? And which vineyard is this soil taken from? Bricco delle Viole? San Rocco?” Ask anyone in the family and he or she can explain the intricacies of geologic time scales and events, the behavior of sediments, the vineyard’s site personalities, aromas and flavors. Their enthusiasm is sparked by their continual discovery of the land, from the beginning of time to present. It is their own journey in wine. “We all learn something everyday,” Isidoro said. As wine producers and organic farmers, they deliver a complement of nature’s gifts. Their single vineyard Bricco delle Viole Barolo, the highest in elevation among the historical vineyards with its proximity to the Alpine range, generates a Barolo of finesse and bright aromatics. “It’s like a classic ballerina who wants to be the lightest on the stage, but you know how much effort and muscle it takes,” Francesca said. “This is Bricco delle Viole — it’s a lot of work trying to be the most delicate.” Winter vineyards Stained-glass windows inside the cellar

Tortonian soil

Albe, identifiable by the red sun on the label, is a harmonious assemblage of Barolo crus. The sun symbolizes its rise three times each morning over their vineyards. “It’s the exceptional simplicity of nature that makes the awakening of life an everyday miracle,” Milena Vaira said. G.D. VAJRA’s Coste & Fossati is a selection of vintage Dolcetto biotypes, which had been handpicked by Aldo in the late 1970s to mid 1980s, then grafted into their Barolo vineyards to produce vines with peculiar red stalks, creating a limited production of intense and dark Dolcetto. If Barolo and Barbaresco are the king and queen of Italian wines, perhaps Barbera is the prince. G.D. VAJRA’s Barbera d’Alba Superiore comes from old vines that date back to 1949. It is a wine of intensity, and of course, expressive charm. Then there’s the cask-aged Kyé made from the native and rare grape Freisa. As the closest relative to Nebbiolo, Freisa is “like The Last of the Mohicans, noble and wild, fighting for survival,” Giuseppe said. Langhe Bianco renders homage to the Riesling. A superb exercise of biodiversity, G.D. VAJRA’s Riesling features ancient cuttings from Alsace, Pfalz and Rhine and shows no shortage of personality. “This is a wine that reflects the pioneering soul of G.D. VAJRA,” Francesca said. The family wanted all these wines to come to fruition in an enlightened environment. The stained-glass windows reflect the symbiosis between nature and humankind. Their concept of what wine can be springs from their deep passion and respect for nature. It’s authentic, simple and honest. It stems from their response to nature’s need for absolute dedication, patience and time. Their wines are a result of nature itself asking to be loved — for better or for worse, in abundance or in scarcity — and guarded with the tenderness of family. 

Auc ti o n s (RED) AUCTION

December 5 | Miami Architecture stalwarts Theaster Gates and Sir David Adjaye have partnered with musical icon and activist Bono for the third annual (RED) Auction to support the fight against AIDS. Beginning on World AIDS Day, December 1, more than 50 works will be exhibited and auctioned during Art Basel in Miami Beach.

sale number: N10000 lot: 32 | sothebys.com

MALIBU.COM DOMAIN AUCTION

December 5 | Online

auctions

Malibu.com will be sold on December 5. Millitzer Capital, which auctioned off WallStreet.com in 1999 for more than $1 million, will be handling the auction. The opening bid is $250,000. Bidders are required to preregister a minimum of two days before the auction date. Further details can be found at malibu.com

malibu.com

AN ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT

December 13 and February 27 | London A private collection from an anonymous donor will be auctioned over two sales — December 13, 2018, and February 27, 2019 — to benefit a charitable foundation. The collection, which will be on view during Classic Week in London (December 1-5), includes works by Paul Signac, Gustave Caillebotte, Félix Vallotton, renowned sculptor François-Xavier Lalane as well as jewelry, furniture and antiquities.

sale number: 16219 | christies.com

RM SOTHEBY’S

February 6 | Place Vauban, Paris Held at the historic Place Vauban in the city’s center, the sixth annual sale is sure to attract the top collectors and spectators from around the world. Last year’s event featured a 2017 Bugatti Chiron that fetched more than $3 million and a rare 2005 Maserati MC12.

rmsothebys.com

THE CAPE WINE AUCTION

March 1-2 | Cape Town Celebrating South Africa’s finest wines, the sixth annual Cape Wine Auction is designed to celebrate the area’s vineyards while supporting various educational efforts. The glamorous two-day affair provides a global stage to create awareness and “inspire a wave of change in the lives of the children in Cape Town.”

thecapetownwineauction.com

RM Sothebys - Paris 2016 Retromobile (Red) Live Auction Cape Wine Auction

Th e Gif t of Tran s fo rma ti o n T R A N S C E N D I N G D I F F I C U LT

B E N S O N R I S E M A N — Entrepreneur/Founder of The Riseman

C H I L D H O O D S , AT TA I N I N G

Family Foundation

SUCCESS, AND GIVING BACK

By Marsala Rypka

Benson Riseman, Jeanette Schneider and Steve Miller epitomize the old adage, “It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.” Their stories of transcending impoverished childhoods and achieving great success through hard work, perseverance and good mentorship are right out of a Horatio Alger novel. The common thread they share is a desire to help others facing hardship like they once did. 68

Benson Riseman was only six years old when his father died, and life became even harder for him and his mom, who lived outside Boston in the blue-collar town of Chelsea. Yet Riseman says he had a happy childhood. “I didn’t know any different. My mom had so little, yet she gave me so much love. And I had guys from Big Brothers who spent time with me.” As Riseman got older, he realized that there was a big world outside Chelsea. The way to escape was to go to college, which was a big deal since his mom couldn’t read or write. Riseman went to the University of Tampa on a baseball scholarship, and as a resident dorm advisor he got free room and board. Years after becoming a successful entrepreneur, Riseman came to understand the value of philanthropy. “Helping struggling inner city kids is my sweet spot,” he said. “I want to help other young Bensons.” Through the Riseman Family Foundation that he started eight years ago, he and his family support various charities. His family includes his wife, Lee, who is also on the board of Nevada Ballet Theatre; daughter, Chelsea, who is passionate about animals; son, Benjamin; and five-yearold grandson, Baxter.

Benson Riseman Jeanette Schneider Steve Miller

Riseman hasn’t forgotten his roots. “Five years ago I heard a professional acting troupe wanted to open a youth theater in Chelsea so low-income and single-parent families, who often don’t speak English, could enjoy the performing arts for free,” he said. “The Riseman Family Theatre has become a point of hope for the community and perhaps a stimulus that changes it for the better.” Riseman sits on the board of the University of Tampa, and he gives scholarships to students at the university’s Lowth Entrepreneurship Center. In addition to writing checks, he visits his alma mater several times a year and mentors kids who are where he once was. The foundation also supports Venice Arts, a nonprofit in Los Angeles that expands and transforms the lives of low-income youth through photography and film education and amplifies the voices of underrepresented communities. “I believe in karma,” Riseman said. “What you give comes back. The key is not expecting anything. It’s about being grateful for your blessings.”

Benson Riseman

S T E V E M I L L E R — Chief Executive Officer of The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and Agassi Graf Holdings LLC

Steve Miller grew up on the poor side of Chicago where five family members shared a one-bedroom apartment. “My parents slept in the front room on a bed that pulled out of the wall, while my brother, uncle and I took turns sleeping in the bedroom on a twin bed or on the floor,” Miller said. His father was a Navy mechanic who served in World War II until Miller was three years old. His mom, who worked in a factory, struggled to read and write. “Education or career goals were never discussed in my family,” said Miller, who characterized himself as a clueless kid with no guidance who often cut school. At 13 he rode his bike up Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive, listening to doormen talk to the wealthy residents, dreaming that would be him one day. Jeanette Schneider Photo by Bethany Paige Photography

J E A N E T T E S C H N E I D E R — Financial Advisor,

Author and Public Speaker “My dad worked hard to provide for us, but we lived in a poor, violent neighborhood full of drug traffickers and domestic abuse,” Jeanette Schneider said. “I realized my mom was an alcoholic when I was five. She was always drunk, passed out or angry, and I never received any nurturing or loving support from her.” Schneider says her father was the catalyst for her becoming an author and public speaker. “He gave me my first journal and encouraged me to write,” said Schneider, whose book, Lore: Harnessing Your Past to Create Your Future, just came out. Her dad was a Jehovah’s Witness, and as part of their practice, Schneider would speak in front of thousands of people starting when she was six. “It’s important we know what our gifts are,” Schneider said. “Mine is being able to stand on a stage, share my story and connect with an audience. “As a teenager I had no expectation that I could do

more than get a job that paid the bills. When I earned a scholarship, I didn’t know what to do with it, nor did my parents. The fact that I’ve had 23 amazing years in the financial sector, and am a senior vice president, institutional and private client advisor, at U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, managing billions of dollars, is an anomaly.” Schneider is leaving that position at the end of the year to devote her time to writing and her role as the founder of Lore Advocacy, a network of professional women whose goal is to inspire women to change the world through a gender lens of equality, self-actualization and the shattering of glass ceilings. “After having my daughter, Olivia, I realized I don’t want her to have to fight as much as I did working in a maledominated industry. Most of what we believe about ourselves and the world comes from generational, social and cultural messaging. It’s hard work poking holes in our belief systems and differentiating between truth and story so we can learn to love ourselves — scars and all — and create a new conversation. But it’s so worth it.”

During his freshman year in 1956, a fearful Miller, who seldom spoke, joined a street gang because there was safety in numbers. In his sophomore year, he said he began feeling bad when they beat someone up or when he saw a disabled person being bullied. At 16, Miller spent a year in reform school, where he was subjected to accelerated violence. Social workers told him he could do better, but he had no heroes to emulate. As the neighborhood became more ethnically diverse, Miller started reading travel books and the world grew beyond the six blocks in which he lived. Playing basketball and track was his saving grace. That led to college, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature and physical education and a master’s degree in contemporary

English literature and biomechanical analysis. Miller played professional football for a short time until an injury left him wearing a polio brace for 20 years. When he was 40, he had an experimental surgery that transferred a nerve from his back to his foot and he learned to walk again. “You adjust to trauma because it’s not the sum total of your life,” Miller said. “I transferred the anger from my fist to my heart and mind, and education became a mania of mine because it provides choices, insight and a wealth of knowledge.” Miller became a teacher and coached cross country and track and field. He was named NCAA “National Coach of the Year” five times. He spent three months in Africa coaching long-distance runners and bringing them to the U.S. He was in Nigeria during a coup; in Greece when King Constantine was deposed; in Berlin when the wall came down; in Russia when it became the Russian Federation; and the only white person in the stadium when China broke record for the high jump. At Eunice Shriver’s urging, Miller headed Pennsylvania’s Special Olympics for two years, where they talked about the measure of a man being what he was willing to give to the least among us. He spent nine years at Nike as the head of global sports marketing; he gave more than 500 speeches at places such as the Wharton School and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. And when Andre Agassi, whom Miller has known since he was 16, asked him to be chief executive officer of the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and Agassi Graf Holdings, Miller moved to Las Vegas.

It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish, and these three people are far from finished. 

Steve Miller

patron for a cause

ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA Velvet peak lapel blazer, The Forum Shops

MELISSA KAISER for engaging children in the experience of discovery

J A E G E R - L E C O U LT R E Polaris Memovox, The Forum Shops *MONTEBLANC UNICEF CUFFLINKS Since 2004, Montblanc has been a valuable contributor to UNICEF’s education programs. To-date, the partnership has raised more than $10 million for UNICEF’s work for children.

Melissa Kaiser, the DISCOVERY Children’s Museum’s new chief executive officer, dreams of the day when admission is fully funded so every child can experience the wonder and joy there for free.

* T I F FA N Y & C O . Launched in 2017, Tiffany & Co. Save the Wild collection donates 100 percent of the profits from the collection to the Wildlife Conservation Network, which includes the Elephant Crisis Fund.

Holiday

The three-story museum in Downtown Las Vegas has an annual operating budget of $4.7 million, 27,000 square feet of exhibit space and nine galleries. DISCOVERY Lab is a hands-on “Makerspace” where kids can solve problems using tools such as 3-D printers, clay making and tinkering stations.

GI F TGuide

Eco City is a simulated town with multiple businesses, including a café, an airport and bank, that allow kids to “work” and earn a paycheck. Eco City also has a Raiders exhibit where kids can see the progress of the stadium being constructed in real time and can “build” the stadium alongside it. DISCOVERY Children’s Museum features themed traveling exhibits throughout the year such as “Alien Worlds and Androids,” which is on display February 9 – May 5. DISCOVERY on Wheels is a mobile community outreach program that brings health sciences to Clark County classrooms. A volunteer program called YouthWorks allows low-income students 14 – 18 who complete 80 hours of volunteering to be eligible to become paid interns. DISCOVERY Children’s Museum holds several annual fundraising events, including a gala and a high tea. Space can also be rented for events. JIMMY CHOO Callie painterly brocade handbag, The Forum Shops SAINT LAURENT Strapless structural bustier cocktail mini dress, The Forum Shops GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Darsey sparkling sandal, The Forum Shops

SOUN

SIGHT HARRY WINSTON Broadway glasses, harrywinston.com MASTER PRINTS Master prints: 34 frameable masterpieces, barnesandnoble.com

APPLE HOMEPOD Speaker with Siri technology, The Forum Shops BOWERS & WILKINS PX over-the-ears headphones, bowerswilkins.com TRNTBL Wireless record player, trntbl.co *LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC The mission of the Las Vegas Philharmonic is to inspire a lifelong appreciation of music through performances and educational experiences for our community that enhance the lives of our residents and the culture of our city. flex pass, lvphil.org MOLESKIN MUSIC NOTEBOOK Formatted for composing songs and melodies, thejuilliardstore.com

*MODO SUNGLASSES The Buy a Frame â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Help a Child See program works to provide the early detection and intervention necessary for children in need to look clearly toward a brighter future. modo.com PEEPERS Eyewear complement, peepers.com LEICA C-lux digital camera, The Forum Shops

BREVILLE The Oracle Touch espresso machine, brevile.com

COMPARTES Deluxe holiday gourmet chocolates, compartes.com JO MALONE Pomegranate noir diffuser, jomalone.com

CREED Limited-edition travel atomizer coffret set, The Forum Shops

* F I R E D E P T. C O F F E E Great coffee for a great cause, 10 percent of proceeds from every order goes towards supporting ill or injured firefighters and first responders. firedeptcoffee.com CZECH & SPEAKE Set of three No. 88 hand soaps, mrporter.com VOLUSPA Hearth 5-wick candle, voluspa.com A R O M AT H E R A P H Y A S S O C I AT E S Rose Infinity moisturizer, netaporter.com

*AKOLA PROJECT 100 percent of Akola revenue is reinvested in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission to help women in Uganda and Dallas transform their families and communities. akolaproject.com MUJJO Touchscreen gloves, mujjo.com KOH GEN DO Macro vintage royal massage milk, barneys.com MARRAM CO Modern razor, mrporter.com

SMELL

TOUCH

S I S L E Y- PA R I S Anti-age eye & lip contour cream, sisley-paris.com

TASTE

DUVINE Piedmont truffle bike tour, duvine.com

*STEPHEN WEBSTER Partnering with Plastic Oceans Foundation, Stephen Webster’s The Last Straw will donate 10 percent of all proceeds to support the organization’s ongoing work in preserving our oceans. stephenwebster.com ZODAX BY TOMMY BAHAMA Holiday champagne flutes, The Forum Shops

PENFOLDS Penfolds aevum limited-edition crystal decanter and grange 2013, harrods.com H O N E Y S A LT: A C U L I N A R Y S C R A P B O O K A collection of recipes, cooking tips, and stories from the kitchen of Honey Salt founders, Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla, honeysalt.com CHRISTOFLE Mood gold 24-piece canteen, christofle.com

BLANCPAIN Fifty Fathoms timepiece, The Forum Shops SMART ROPE LED-embedded jump rope, amazon.com A L L I N AV I AT I O N Flight training packages, allinaviation.com’ BULOVA: A HISTORY OF FIRSTS Coffee table book featuring 10 acclaimed authors, barnesandnoble.com CARTHUSIA LIMITED-EDITION ADVENT CALENDAR (Limited to 500 pieces worldwide), bigelowchemists.com

TIME

KIFU PARIS Bullion bottle opener, barneys.com

L’ A R T I S A N P A R F U M E U R The Iconic Christmas Musc Êxteme parfum and candle set, artisanparfumeur.com LV E W I N E S John Legend’s inaugural 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, 92 rating by Wine Spectator, lvewines.com

* M AT T E R & H O M E Products use only recycled paper and materials. Ingredients are locally sourced and aspires to inspire and invoke sustainability, personal growth, lasting quality and harmony with our environment. matterandhome.com *SYDNEY EVAN Medium love script pendant benefits The Olivela Effect. The purchase of this necklace provides educational resources for Syrian refugees, through its partner CARE. netaporter.com

DECEMBER 1-12, 2018 The Forum Shops and select stores and restaurants will give to diverse causes and organizations throughout the valley. We invite you to be a part of this season of giving and luxury with a purpose.

ZIMMERLI Piped silk-satin pajama set, mrporter.com *STELLA MCCARTNEY ‘Ellie Leaping’ pajamas are printed with the words “All is Love,” designed by artist Urs Fischer to celebrate positivity and boldness. stellamccartney.com

LOVE

Shop for a purpose during 12 days of giving, hosted by The Forum Shops at Caesars, in partnership with The CLASS Project

Participating Forum Shops Specialty Shops and Restaurants: Anne Fontaine for Anne Fontaine Foundation • Brighton Collectibles for Opportunity Village • Carmine’s NYC’s Family Style Italian Restaurant for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital • Donald J Pliner for American Cancer Society • Kalifano for Camp Anytown Magical Memories Dimensions Art Gallery for Make-A-Wish • Magical Memories featuring Disney Fine Art for Make-A-Wish Montblanc for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital • Mulberry for The Public Education Foundation • Pandora for Opportunity Village • Stuart Weitzman for Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild • Ted Baker London for Opportunity Village • The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace for Simon Youth Foundation • The Palm Las Vegas for Unshakeable

Grea t Give T H E F O R U M S H O P S ’ G R E AT G I V E B R I N G S H O M E T H E H O L I D AY S

By Bobbie Katz

While leaping lords, French hens and swimming swans may not be readily available, The Forum Shops at Caesars will be offering its very own special 12 days of Christmas, including eight days of Hanukkah and other celebrations. From Dec. 1-12, a number of the venue’s world-renowned shops and restaurants will be partnering with a wide variety of local and national nonprofit organizations and causes in a 12-day shopping event in the third annual Great Give. A partridge in a pear tree aside, it is a concept that is bearing more fruit each year, where its goal of giving back to the Las Vegas community is concerned. Each participating retailer has a designated charity and, for this event, will either donate a portion of sales from specific items, donate a flat percentage of sales or raise funds directly to benefit their partner charity. The Great Give was initiated on Dec. 1, 2016, with 12 retailers and increased to 30 participants in 2017. The idea was to take what individual store and restaurant owners were doing for charity and combine their efforts. Charities have included American Red Cross, Make-AWish Foundation, Candlelighters and Nevada Ballet Theatre. “So many of our wonderful retailers support charitable organizations and give back,” said Maureen Crampton, director of marketing and business development for The Forum Shops, who met with the merchants and suggested pulling their efforts together to make a larger statement.“It’s nice to be able to present a united

program under the umbrella of the Great Give. That way, we are able to collectively promote it and encourage visitors to shop or dine at their favorite shops and restaurants and support many worthy causes during this time. We’ve seen an increase in merchant participation due to this collective effort. And the funds raised stay in Las Vegas.” Recognized worldwide as offering the premier combination of luxury retail, excellent location, entertainment and thematic ambient surroundings with more than 160 specialty shops and restaurants, The Forum Shops, which opened in 1992 with 283,000 square feet and has added two phases since, remains among the top-performing retail centers nationwide. There are more than 50 shops that can be found exclusively at the retail center, including CH Carolina Herrera, Chanel Fragrance, Beauty and Sunglasses, Dior Beauty, Guiseppe Zanotti and Agent Provocateur. The trendsetting venue, set amid the changing sky and thematic Roman atmosphere, was the first to bring the world’s most celebrated designers to Las Vegas. Versace, Armani, Ferragamo, Fendi, Gucci, Valentino and many more all tell tales of how The Forum Shops was their first location in the city. Attracting global guests as well, there are more than 25 languages spoken by The Forum Shops retailers and within the concierge center. This holiday season, one thing is for certain: The language of giving will be the one that stands out above the rest. 

Z e rmatt, S wi tz e rl and IMPARTS A SWISS ALPINE EXPERIENCE TO BE CHERISHED

By Elaine and Scott Harris

Just the name Switzerland elicits thoughts of mountains, snow, energetic people and an adventurous lifestyle. A quintessential Swiss town reflects the imagery of the beloved children’s classic novel Heidi and the inspiration for what is perhaps Disney’s most famous attraction, the Matterhorn. But there’s no need to use your imagination while peering out the window of a chalet while gazing at the legendary mountain; this is reality in the quaint Swiss village of Zermatt, Switzerland.

A train ride from Zurich can put you in the car-free village. Walking, hiking, biking, skiing and gondola riding are the modes of transportation, all for the best while taking in the stunning scenery and breathing deeply of rarified clear mountain air. Delightful shops, cafés and a small rambling river surround Hotel Schöenegg at the village’s center. Are you in a movie? Still dreaming at 40,000 feet? No, visitors are transported from visions to village vitality at every turn of the corner. This picturesque village evolved from a poor farming village into a modern world-class destination. This is where celebrities go to hit the refresh button and tourists flock to see the ubiquitous Matterhorn.

Romantic village ambiance, photo by Leander Wenger

Zermatt is at the foothills of the Matterhorn, which was first claimed on July 14, 1865, by Edward Whymper, which set off a worldwide clamor to see this iconic site. Looking out at this majestic mountain every morning at sunrise, one can see why. Zermatt boasts some of the most jaw-dropping panoramic views and the cleanest air on the planet. It is the home of Europe’s highest open air railway, climbing above the tree line to 3,135 meters (or 10,285 feet). Staying at the highest hotel in the Alps, Kulmhotel Gornergrat (3,100 meters) affords unprecedented views of Switzerland’s highest peak, Dufourspitze (4,634 meters), the Matterhorn and the glaciers that border Italy and Switzerland. Hiking, skiing and snowshoeing on the spectacular Gornergrat (3,089 meters) rates as one of the top excursion destinations in Switzerland since 1898, when the railway opened. Down in the village, shop, explore, taste and sip to get a real sense of true Swiss fare and culture in more than 150 bars and restaurants. Zermatt’s dining includes the highest concentration of gourmet restaurants in the world alongside local cafés and specialty shops. Taste local gastronomic delights, Asian and Mediterranean-Alpine fusion, barbecue and classic European fare.

Stroll through the section of old town and look for The Little Bar down a narrow stairway in a building has been around for more than 400 years. Partake in some locally made Swiss wine and of course regional cuisine and local beer while conversing with a local or international traveler. You may be challenged to a drinking game or a game of chess. In Zermatt you are guaranteed snow 365 days a year! In the winter months, Zermatt features Europe’s longest descent for skiers. This 25km run takes you from the Matterhorn glacier paradise to Zermatt and access into skiing into nearby Italy. Alpine activities on 70km trails offer dazzling views along cross country skiing trails and toboggan runs. The toboggan run in Täsch is an insider’s secret; walk up the zigzagging slope before Eggstadel and propel down to the village on an adrenaline-pumping descent. Snowboarding has gained popularity in the last decade with Olympic champions achieving almost cult-like status. The Snowpark Zermatt is the ultimate snow park, providing runs for all experience levels for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. “Zermatt. No matter what” is more than a marketing motto. In July 2015, Zermatt celebrated the 150th anniversary of the summiting of the iconic Matterhorn, and it continues to draw thousands of visitors every year. No matter what season or situation, the history and splendor of Zermatt make it a destination to turn your imagination into reality, anytime of the year. 

Skiing at sunset, photo by Pascal Gertschen | Village, photo by Leander Wenger | Pub after skiing, photo courtesy of Tradition Julen | Winter in Zermatt, photo by Pascal Gertschen | Culinary delights, photo by Pascal Gertschen | 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat, photo courtesy of Gornergrat Bahn | Church Square in Zermatt, photo by Pascal Gertschen

WINTER IN ASPEN OFFERS MANY WAY S T O E N J OY T H E H O L I D AY S

By Elaine and Scott Harris

Aspen, Colorado, is known for snow-capped mountains nestled among the fragrant pines of the majestic Rocky Mountains. It’s a welcome respite for visitors all year long, but the winter months beckon with world-class skiing, haute cuisine and luxury shopping.

which boasts a 20,000-bottle wine cellar curated by master sommelier Carlton McCoy. Surrounding diners are inspiring art pieces crafted by Michelle Grabner, Cameron Martin, Angel Otero, Scott Reeder, Philip Vanderhyden and José Lerma.

Aspen Snowmass, a resort comprised of four adjacent mountains, offers the ideal opportunity to restore your mind, body and spirit in an awe-inspiring atmosphere 7,908 feet above sea level. Winter sports enthusiasts of all levels come to enjoy the area’s youthful culture, winter activities and fine dining.

P L AY

S TAY

Aspen offers a plethora of accommodations, including mountain cabins, chalets and boutique hotels. For those who want to indulge, the five-star and five-diamond Little Nell exudes opulence from the time you arrive. For more of an experience, ask for one of the six luxury suites named for some of powerful personalities who helped to create Aspen’s legend. The suites feature custom-designed furniture covered in jewel-toned organic materials and panoramic windows with blackout shades. Private balconies provide breathtaking views of Aspen Mountain and beyond. DINE

A day in the mountains can work up an appetite, and Aspen is more than able to satisfy your cravings in a variety of dining venues. Ajax Tavern attracts après ski diners with its mountainside patio that accentuates one of the best views in the state. This is the “place” to enjoy a classic cocktail, truffle fries and people watching.

For advanced skiers, Burnt Mountain Glades, High Alpine and the Cirque stand ready. Well-suited beginner courses also offer fun for novices. Off the slopes, the new Breathtaker Alpine Coaster takes riders over a mile of forest at speeds of up to 28 miles per hour. Many visitors make the pilgrimage to enjoy Wintersköl, Aspen’s annual “toast to winter.” The event dates to January 1951 when locals decided to celebrate their Nordic lifestyle with an eclectic weekend of festivities. Now the festival lasts four days (January 10-13) and features Wintersculpt, WinterFest and a canine fashion show. It culminates with a dazzling fireworks display, a favorite of locals and tourists alike. SHOP

After cascading down the slopes, explore art galleries, antiques shops and stories with designer clothing. For skiers, Gorsuch’s original store, opened by former Olympians Dave and Renie Gorsuch, has been outfitting skiers since 1966. Loro Piana, Olivia Lee, Brioni, Prada, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Moncler are just a few of the acclaimed designers within walking distance of each other. The combination of culture, winter sports, cuisine and accommodations should be on everyone’s bucket list, and Aspen is the place that can make those dreams come true. 

For an elevated dining experience Element 47 is noted for Colorado contemporary cuisine where local Wagyu beef, house-made pastas and seasonal produce are prepared with passion and precision. Executive chef Matt Zubrod leads the premier dining spot, Lucas Rocca, Element 47 kitchen, photo by Jamie Fletcher | Snowmobiling to the Maroon Bells, photo by C2 Photography | Winter fireworks over Aspen Mountain, photo by C2 Photography | Chair 9 at The Little Nell, photo by Shawn O’Connor | Winter cabin, photo by Zach Maraziti | Daytime skiing, photo by Matt Power

B E V E R LY H I L L S : T H E L A N D O F FA M E , F O RT U N E A N D FA S H I O N

By Leslie Frisbee

“Welcome to Hollywood! What’s your dream? Everybody comes here; this is Hollywood, land of dreams. Some dreams come true, some don’t; but keep on dreamin’ — this is Hollywood.” – Pretty Woman

Beckoning those in search of fortune and fame, the country’s second-largest city is synonymous with luxury and over-the-top frippery. And representing all the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles are Beverly Hills and Hollywood.

Amenities include top-notch concierge service; the 5,000-square-foot Ciel Spa, the only Biologique Recherche Expert Center on the West Coast; the sixth-floor rooftop pool that overlooks the city; a Technogym-equipped fitness center; and complimentary Lincoln Navigator house car service. E AT

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Palm trees, grandiose façades and couture galore dot the two-mile expanse of Rodeo Drive. With more than 100 world-renowned flagships and stores — Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Bally — comprising just three blocks, Rodeo Drive is a fashionista’s paradise. A favorite among locals and Hollywood hipsters is West 3rd Street. The eclectic shopping and dining district is minutes from other attractions such as The Grove, Beverly Center and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). On any given day, you might see Jared Leto or Nicole Richie dining at Joan’s on Third or Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel emerging from M. Cohen’s custom-jewelry studio. S TAY

Recently celebrating its 10th anniversary with a multimillion dollar renovation, SLS Hotel Beverly Hills is the perfect combination of sexy and sophisticated. Featuring 234 guestrooms and 63 suites, signature touches include floating bed(s), sliding bathroom dividers, infinity sinks, 55-inch Samsung highdefinition smart TVs, rainfall shower options, as well as grand walk-in closets in select suites. The 1,900-square-foot presidential suite is a one-of-a-kind experience complete with a master bedroom, book-lined parlor, grand dining room, living room, chef’s kitchen and picturesque views of Beverly Hills cityscape.

Overseeing the culinary program at SLS is world-renowned chef José Andrés. The Bazaar by José Andrés offers both a traditional and modern tapas dining experience in an indoor piazza setting overseen by chef de cuisine Holly Jivin. The hotel also boasts Tres by José Andrés, an all-day dining destination and the recently opened Somni — an ultra-exclusive 10-seat, seasonally inspired 20-course tasting menu by Andrés and chef Aitor Zabala. Other not-to-miss dining destinations in the area include Toca Madera, A.O.C., Freds at Barneys, Culina, Matsuhisa, Madeo Ristorante and The Henry. P L AY

A must-see is the Los Angeles Museum of Modern Art (LACMA). The largest art museum in the West, with a collection of more than 130,000 works spanning more than 6,000 years, LACMA also houses the world’s largest open-plan museum space as well as a rotating selection of music, film and educational exhibitions. A thirty-minute drive from Beverly Hills is The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. Offering theater, dance, film, opera, jazz, world music, musicals, symphony and chamber orchestras and family programs, the intimate space has attracted stars such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Patti LuPone, Aaron Neville and Bobby McFerrin.

SLS pool deck, photo courtesy of SLS Hotels | The Henry, photo courtesy | Foggy Hill Negroni, photo courtesy of SLS Hotels | Joan’s on Third, photo courtesy | Rodeo Drive street sign

H O U M A S H O U S E E S TAT E A N D G A R D E N S I S T H E P L A C E TO DISCOVER THE SUGAR BARONS’ SOUTH

By Elaine and Scott Harris

The days of the great sugar barons and their opulent lifestyles are over, but one gentleman seeks to preserve and elevate the history and grandeur of the antebellum era into an experience for generations to come. Kevin Kelly is the owner of one of Louisiana’s architectural treasures, the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, also known as the Sugar Palace. He has painstakingly restored the property with expansive gardens, rare artifacts and historical credibility. “The Houmas House is a historic estate, formerly the largest plantation in United States,” Kelly said.“I am treating this more like an urban business than I do a rural historic house. I had to make it work and have a direction. I want you to come here to have a meal, to have a drink, to enjoy it and come back every couple of weeks.”

An hour-long drive from New Orleans is well worth the time and effort to explore plantation life. The Houmas House pays homage to the wealthy sugar barons who developed the business that gave birth to the economic success and structure of the South. That success garnered great opulence in a secluded area surrounded by swampy marshlands. With its challenging environment, this was a land that was originally occupied by the indigenous Houmas Indians who sold the land in the mid-1700s to Maurice Conway and Alexander Latil. Conway and Latil developed property dwellings, but General Wade Hampton built the Greek revival mansion in 1828 and his son-in-law, John Smith Preston, added the columns and belvedere in 1840, Kelly says. Through the years, the property has had multiple owners, including the great sugar baron John Burnside who transformed it into the region’s largest sugar producer in 1857, using the almost 100,000 acres and hundreds of slaves in producing millions of pounds of sugar each year. The plantation was a strong economic force, but with the ravages of Mother Nature and the Great Depression, the House fell into disrepair. Dr. George B. Crozat of New Orleans, who named it the Houmas House, revitalized it. Kelly purchased the Houmas House in 2003 to transform

the property into a historical, educational and premier tourism attraction with fine-dining venues, deluxe overnight accommodations, and wedding and banquet facilities. Daily tours afford guests a rare glimpse into an estate and an economic structure that made up the cultural underpinnings of the South. Period-dressed docents lead guests through the house while pointing out many era-appropriate artifacts, some part of the original estate. “I found an entire closet filled with period dishes and silver that had been sealed shut,” Kelly said. The Houmas House has been carefully maintained and preserved with a vast collection of rare and expensive art works, verdant gardens and several stunning restaurants. They include Café Burnside; The Carriage House, its Turtle Bar offering fine wines and whiskeys; and fine-dining venue Latil’s Landing, lauded as a Forbes five-star dining destination. Elegant overnight cottages, the Inn at Houmas, feature comfortable period furnishings, luxurious bedding and L’Occitane en Provence toiletries. “We title this the crown jewel of the Louisiana’s River Road primarily because of its importance. It is the Sugar Palace, a special place to see great artwork, water gardens, architectural gardens and rare furniture collections,” Kelly said. Kelly, who has secured a scenic byway grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation, is preparing to open a steamboat museum, the Louisiana River Road Steamboat Overlook Interpretive Center, on the property. “This will be a place to see the culture of the Mississippi River — the folktales and commerce of the great river,” Kelly said. The museum is projected to open in the spring as a major interpretive center for the Lower Mississippi River and the Lower Great River Road National Byway. Kelly is determined to preserve a part of history that defined the South for decades. Houmas House, providing a respite from the rancor of Bourbon Street or an extended stay, is where the lush gardens and towering moss-covered oaks will have you under the spell of old-world Southern charm.

The Houmas House | winter tea house | dining room and ladies’ parlor | dinner feature | spiral staircase, photos courtesy

Get L os t a nd Found in Ba rolo By Marisa Finetti The gently undulating land that surrounds the picturepostcard village of Barolo in Italy’s Piedmont region is an enchanting destination for gastronomic pleasures, drives through verdant countryside and deep discoveries into one of Italy’s most magnificent wines. Some of the most famous names in Italian wine, from Giacomo Conterno to Giuseppe Mascarello, call this place home. To drink Barolo while in Barolo is a sublime and emotional experience. Made of Nebbiolo grapes, these wines dazzle aromatically and are often characterized by aromas and flavors of “tar and roses” along with cherries, licorice, violets and dried herbs. A wine of patience and contemplation, it has the ability to stir both the soul and the intellect. When paired with the region’s lusty food, it delights the palate and warms the heart. Barolo’s authenticity, charm and beauty are astonishing. The village’s ancient cobblestone streets offer strolls to quaint wine shops, tasting rooms, restaurants, an ancient hilltop castle and views of some of the most famous vineyards in the world. All combined, it is a multisensory immersion into a magical place. The 10th century Castello Falletti castle, perched on top of a hill, is the focal point, where the WiMuWine Museum provides guided tours through the history and legends associated with the castle, the village and wine. Also within the castle is Agrilab, a place to discover Piedmont wines in an original way. With the help of interactive audio, visuals, aroma jars and three-dimensional maps, visitors can learn about and enjoy native wines, including Nebbiolo, Barbera, Moscato, Cortese, Erbaluce, Arneis, Dolcetto, Freisa and Grignolino. Farther in the basement of the castle is the Enoteca Regionale Del Barolo, which houses an impressive collection of wines Barolo, photo courtesy of Marchesi di Barolo

representing all 11 villages of the Barolo region, from La Morra and Verduno, to Castignole Falletto and Serralunga d’Alba. Continue to stroll to the base of the castle to find the Barolo corkscrew museum, Museo dei Cavatappi, which showcases hundreds of corkscrews from various countries that range from the 18th century to present. Farther down the hill is La Vite Turchese, a hybrid shop and tasting room with a youthful vibe and atmosphere. The knowledgeable staff specializes in highly customized tastings and offers larger names along with lesser-known producers from Piedmont and throughout the world. During the summer, 750-resident Barolo is home to one of the most popular cultural events in northern Italy. Drawing thousands of visitors each year, Barolo transforms into a lively festival where international music, world literature, gastronomy, wine and culture “collide” at the multiday Collisioni. Surrounded by UNESCO-crowned vineyard landscapes, the stage has hosted artists such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Elton John and Depeche Mode through the years. To watch a concert here is unlike any other.

Amid alpine peaks, wild valleys, medieval castle-topped knolls, Barolo township is part of a larger Barolo region of made up of 11 villages in the relatively populous Langhe hills. The name Langhe comes from the Italian word for “tongue,” because the district’s rolling hills and shape slightly resemble a human tongue. While strolling or driving along the vineyards, it’s hard to miss the majestic and imposing Lebanese Cedar tree that sits upon Monfaletto Hill at Cordero di Montezemolo winery. Ancestors of the estate, in celebration of their wedding to mark of their love for the earth, planted it in 1856. Legend has it that the young couple wished for this sentiment to endure in the hearts of generations to come. The tree is a reminder of their wish, as well as the history and traditions of this land. Montezemolo is one of many wineries that offer wine-tasting tours by reservation. The tours might include a light lunch, a tasting experience and a trip to the vineyard where these grapes are grown. Suggestions for other places to visit include Marchesi di Barolo, Sordo, Gianni Gagliardo, Elvio Cogno, Ceretto, Prunotto, and Fontanafredda. After tasting enough wine, one is bound to learn and appreciate the geographic subtleties of Barolo. Once back at home, a glass will take you right back to this magical place. That’s a trip worth taking — sip after sip.

Barolo tasting at La Vite Turchese, photo courtesy of La Vite Turchese Lebanese Cedar tree, photo courtesy of Cordero di Montezemolo

Castello Falletti castle, photo courtesy of Marchesi di Barolo

patron for a cause

R I C H A R D H A D D R I L L | for mentoring Prunotto photo courtesy of Prunotto Marchesi di Barolo photo courtesy of Marchesi di Barolo

Sordo photo courtesy of Sordo

“Best way to both succeed in the world and to help others is to help people improve themselves. People do not learn as much carrying out your plans versus developing and implementing their own, with your help.” — Richard Haddrill

The chief executive officer of three publicly traded companies, a board member of nine companies and investor in eight companies, Richard Haddrill is focused on mentoring, coaching and encouraging people. He formed The Groop to assist growing businesses and advise up-and-coming executives. 98

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SORDO

Prunotto celebrates the classic Nebbiolo grape to define the Bussia vineyard, regarded as one of the most renowned of the Barolo zone. The Antinori family renovated an historic farmhouse and its underground cellars. It restructured the site to vinify and age their single vineyard Vigna Colonnello, which lies in the center of Bussia and produces a Barolo that expresses all of the peculiarities of this territory. A tasting room overlooks the beautiful amphitheater of Bussia where visitors can appreciate the uniqueness of this cru and other Prunotto wines.

The Azienda Agricola Sordo Giovanni is in Castiglione Falletto. The family-run winery is the only winery that boasts eight different kinds of Barolo crus. A guide will take guests on a tour through the production process and descend 12 meters underground to find the pearl of the family — the infernot, a Piedmontese word which means little dark cellar where the family keeps the best wines. An unforgettable Barolo tasting awaits.

PODERI GIANNI GAGLIARDO

Of the 11 official communes within the Barolo appellation, Poderi Gianni Gagliardo has vineyards located in five, Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba,Verduno, Barolo and La Morra. The family cultivates three other vineyards in the neighboring area of the Roero, which are dedicated to other varieties, including Favorita (Vermentino). Visitors are welcome to visit the tasting room in La Morra by making an appointment for a personally tailored experience and tasting.

MARCHESI DI BAROLO

Marchesi di Barolo is a historic winery overlooking the Castello Falletti (Barolo Castle), where the story of Barolo began 200 years ago. Fifthgeneration Anna and Ernesto Abbona and their grown children, Valentina and Davide, firmly believe in the original and distinguished wines produced in this region, characterized by a number of highly prestigious native vines and unique soil composition. A visit to the winery takes guests straight to the soul of the family’s operation with a guided tour of their historic cellars which holds 15,000 bottles of vintage Barolo, some dating back to the mid-1800s. Then emerge back up to the tasting room to taste wines, paired with gastronomic specialties of the Langhe. 

Haddrill believes in charitable organizations that provide assistance to people in ways that will allow them to become more skilled and self-reliant. Young people in particular can be easily influenced — good or bad. Organizations that help them make the right choices through education or after-school activities can be most impactful. A prior Scout troop member, Scouting has remained dear to Haddrill’s heart because he knows firsthand how beneficial it can be. He recently made a significant contribution to the woefully underfunded Camp Kimball, a 1,200-acre outdoor facility located less than an hour from Las Vegas.

S t. Luc ia ’s Body Holiday : A Gif t for Renewing Body a nd Soul S PA A N D W E L L N E S S R E T R E AT H O N O R E D A S T H I S Y E A R ’ S B E S T

By Shan Bates-Bundik

Wellness is the gift that keeps on giving, and treating yourself or loved ones at one of our carefully curated spa recommendations is the perfect way to relax during the busy winter season. B O DY H O L I D AY

Castries, St. Lucia

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BodyHoliday is an award-winning spa and wellness retreat set in a secluded cove in St. Lucia. Nestled in a private cove, this all-inclusive resort touts being the ultimate escape for both mind and body: “Give us your body for a week, and we’ll give you back your mind.” Its famed Wellness Centre offers treatments included in the price of a stay, including the Heaven & Earth massage and detoxifying wrap, as well as the Lucian Lime & Ginger Scrub. In addition to winning accolades from Condé Nast Traveler and Wine Spectator, BodyHoliday was honored by the 2018 Virtuoso Awards as the world’s Best Wellness Program. A network of more than 17,500 global travel agents, Virtuoso spotlights the best of travel annually. Virtuoso recognized BodyHoliday for its healthy — and delicious — cuisine, Wellness Centre, fitness activities and luxurious locale. BodyHoliday offers traditional resort activities, such as yoga, golf and scuba diving, as well as a sport science consultation to assist guests in reaching fitness goals. For those with a desire to return to wellness, BodyHoliday gives visitors multiple options, including restorative beauty, a focus on mindfulness and better aging. Guests can plan their Wellness Centre journey prior to arrival, with both complimentary and specialized treatment options. BodyHoliday features seasonal options: as of press time, Hara Shiatsu is offered for a limited time. This energy-based service is known to enhance general vitality, mental ability and stamina while strengthening the immune system. Pampering is very much a part of every guest’s itinerary at BodyHoliday, and traditional treatments such as massage, facial, and infrared therapy are also available. 

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B ook of B eaut é YA S U R A G I

Stockholm, Sweden

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The perfect escape from Sweden’s long days of winter, Yasuragi is a sustainable hotel with a Japanese spa. Upon arrival, encounter the ritual Japanese ablution room. A digital-free zone, this bathing room sets a peaceful tone for services like the Bamboo Massage or the head-totoe Zeitaku Complete Harmony. Within the spa, guests can also take part in Zen meditation or a combined do in and qigong class. Throughout the relaxing experience, don the Japanese yukata, staying true to tradition while experiencing pure joy.

Sisley-Paris Le Phyto Rouge buildable coverage lipstick is formulated with Hydrobooster Complex, which provides a hydrating, smoothing and plumping effect while natural oils and extracts moisturize and nourish the lips for an ultrasilky finish. sisley-paris.com COUTURE

Yves Saint Laurent Beauty’s “Rive Gauche” Couture Palette is equipped with five shadows in a range of cool blue shades, perfect for customizing the ultimate smoky eye. The creaseproof formula is infused with a high concentration of pearls and pigments, and a complex of transparent powders to ensure up to 12 hours of stunning hold. sephora.com HE SAID: DRIFT SPA

Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas (Guest reviewer: Jacob Bundick) Drift offers traditional spa touches — attentive staff, soft bathrobes, and fruit-infused waters — that visitors come to expect. The unexpected is the hammam, a hot stone bed that takes one into deep relaxation. Enjoy alone or come as a couple and feel as though you are floating in the night sky while gaining deep detoxification. Migrate between wonderful hot and cold pools while waiting for tailored treatments … or even enjoy year-round outdoor space with firepits.

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COMPLEXION

Formulated with two forms of hyaluronic acid that lock in moisture for more than 24 hours, Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream features exfoliating papaya enzymes to smooth the skin’s texture and alpha-arbutin to address hyperpigmentation and dark spots, revealing a softer, smoother and more even complexion. netaporter.com COIF

Oribe’s intense hydrating rinse-off Moisture Masque is designed to restore and transform dry and fragile hair. This exquisitely scented treatment has been formulated with a keratin-derived active ingredient that penetrates the hair cortex, as well as shine-maximizing sunflower seed extract, smoothing macadamia nut oil and wild mango butter for detangling. bluemercury.com SHE SAID: DRIFT SPA AND HAMMAM

Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas Off-strip in the swanky Palms Place Hotel and Spa, Drift presents an extensive menu of relaxation and therapy treatments best experienced throughout a long afternoon. Relax in indoor hot and cool soaking pools before experiencing services such as the Signature Facial or the exquisite Radiant Glow sugar scrub. After skin feels silky smooth, luxuriate in the hammam, one of the only co-ed areas at Drift. Under the steam, experience deep rejuvenation in the Turkish tradition.

CONSCIOUS

Decorté Slim & Firm Concentrate instantly penetrates the skin. The high-performance multilayer mask plumps and firms the appearance of the upper zone of the face while the lower zone is softened and contoured leaving skin more youthful looking. saksfifthavenue.com COLOGNE

Created by perfumer Celine Barel, “Perfectly Marvelous” was inspired by Diana Vreeland, who once said, “If it isn’t a passion, it isn’t burning, it isn’t on fire, you haven’t lived.” The evocative scent features Indian jasmine that is layered with sultry notes of sandalwood, peppery pimento, musky cashmeran and exotic spices. neimanmarcus.com

patron for a cause

D R . PA U L L A N F R A N C H I for The Lanfranchi Center for Facial Plastic Surgery & Rejuvenation’s TLC Lift for Life Dr. Paul Lanfranchi and The Lanfranchi Center (TLC) for Facial Plastic Surgery & Rejuvenation in Las Vegas are enhancing lives in many ways. “We specialize in face and neck. That’s all I do,” he said. “We do everything in the center, under local anesthesia.” Performing procedures without general anesthesia increases safety and extends the option to those who might be excluded because of age or health issues, Lanfranchi says. The center’s staff is dedicated to creating a comfortable environment with strong communication to build trust with patients, he says. Philanthropy is another commitment. The team, which supports the American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign, partnered with the organization to launch TLC Lift for Life in 2017 to transport cancer patients to and from treatment. The Lanfranchi Center, which donates $100 from every procedure toward the program, has already committed $50,000. “You can have the best treatments in the world,” he said. “But guess what? If you can’t get from your house to the office, it’s all for naught.”

We are the only local Center of its kind exclusively dedicated to rejuvenating the face and neck.

Las Vegas’ most experienced surgeon in performing facial rejuvenating procedures under local anesthesia. 10+ years of experience, with over 8,500 facial beauitfying procedures performed.

To learn more about Dr. Lanfranchi, please visit: TheLanfranchiCenter.com 8985 S. Eastern Ave, Suite #120 | Las Vegas, Nevada 89123 | 702.929.3880

The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program coordinates volunteers to provide transportation for patients. Las Vegas does not have enough regular volunteers, so Lanfranchi’s team has helped close that service gap. “We donate funds for people who are stuck and cannot get to their appointments,” he said. “It amounts to hundreds of rides a month. It’s an ongoing program and very important for many folks battling cancer.”

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S t ar S tru ck BEST IN CLASS | ROOMS WITH A VIEW

By Elaine & Scott Harris With its shimmering lights, the stunning Spring Mountains on the horizon and wonderful sunsets, Las Vegas grows in intensity from above. The combination of breathtaking views, classic cocktails and world-class cuisine is unmatched along the Las Vegas Strip. S K Y FA L L L O U N G E

As the glass elevator ascends, anticipation of an evening at the ultra-chic SkyFall Lounge in the Delano Hotel Las Vegas also rises. No cover is required for artisanal cocktails and the unparalleled views at SkyFall. Rivea next door has indoor and outside patio seating. Enjoy a nightly Champagne toast at Skyfall Lounge or indulge in the elevated happy hour, enjoying cocktails and bar bites while taking in a bird’s-eye view.

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SKYBAR LOUNGE

In the newly branded Waldorf Astoria, 23 floors above Las Vegas, SkyBar affords dramatic urban views. Sip on impeccable cocktails created by expert mixologists, craft beers, wines and spirits. Indulge in delectable light cuisine that tantalizes the palate while offering a multisensory experience. Enjoy the Ménage à trois Skinny fries, tater tots or the sweet potato fries with peach and bourbon ketchup and chimichurri aioli BBQ sauce. Don’t miss the savory Skybar sliders of kobe beef with double-smoked bacon and pickled caramelized onions topped with cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce.

E I F F E L T O W E R R E S TA U R A N T

Paris Las Vegas’ half-scale replica of the world-famous Eiffel Tower has mid-Strip views 46 stories up. Guests enjoy matchless city views, and it’s a spot for weddings, anniversary and engagements for the romantic at heart. Dine on classic French delights such as whole boneless dover sole or foie gras torchon with duck prosciutto and fig while enjoying an earthy Bordeaux or an elegant Burgundy. T O P O F T H E W O R L D R E S TA U R A N T

This Las Vegas icon is more than 800 feet above Las Vegas at the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower. Watch the sunset at one of the best happy hours on the Strip or partake in elevated dining as the restaurant revolves 360 degrees every 80 minutes. This world-renowned venue was awarded 2018’s Best of Las Vegas Award for Best Fine-Dining Restaurant, Best Romantic Spot and Best Restaurant with a View and has received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence 22 years in a row.

F O U N D AT I O N R O O M Skyfall Lounge

Top of the World Restaurant Skybar Lounge

Travel 63 stories to the top of Mandalay Bay for a place where East meets West — a fusion of cultures, ideas and exotic décor, food and spirits. Enjoy international tunes while taking in the desert cityscape high above the Strip. Join the Foundation Room VIP Club for exclusive offers and concierge service. Not to be missed on your dining adventure is the Shellfish Platter with lobster tail, king crab legs, jumbo shrimp, oysters, snow crab claws, remoulade, yuzu mignonette and cocktail sauce. All of these Best in Class views are dedicated to those wanting to experience it all: a multisensory experience of a panoramic vantage point and the textures and flavors of Vegas’ dining and drinking scene.

Soulcycle

New Ye a r, New Yo u BEST IN CLASS | WINTER WELLNESS TRENDS

By Shan Bates-Bundick BODY: THE LANFRANCHI CENTER (TLC) 110

With patient reviews such as “stellar service” and “life-changing,” Dr. Paul Lanfranchi is Vegas’ premiere facial plastic surgeon. The Lanfranchi Center — referred to as “TLC” — specializes in the face and neck. With procedures performed in-center under local anesthesia, TLC is dedicated to delivering excellent results by a caring team. Lanfranchi is an award-winning, board-certified facial plastic surgeon who began his practice in 2006. During medical school, he learned that the face and neck are the body’s most complex and intricate areas. “I thought it was the most challenging — and fun — to master,” Lanfranchi said. “As a facial plastic surgeon, your work is always on display for the world to see.

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SOUL: SOULCYCLE

SoulCycle — the indoor cycling experience focused on mind, body and soul — recently brought its unique energy to its first Las Vegas location. Allowing visitors and locals alike to be part of its inspiring community, SoulCycle’s 3,145-square-foot Vegas studio is at the Wynn Plaza. SoulCycle will host guest master instructors and partner with top DJs.

MIND: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE YOU

“Specialization does matter. With it comes repetition. And with repetition comes excellence,” Lanfranchi said. He believes that a successful procedure is an art form that requires a positive experience, surgical outcome and natural result. “Because everything is in-house, our clients have multiple opportunities to ask questions and meet with our team. An educated patient is a happy patient.”

Experts agree, “getting organized does a mind good.” Fashion stylist Jenna Doughton brings her expertise to help clients create the best versions of themselves, including personal style consults and closet purging. “Working with a great stylist helps one elevate while staying true to self,” Doughton said. She also created Style With a Cause to give deserving women transformations “to turn into the most beautiful versions of themselves.”

With thousands of delighted patients, Lanfranchi is committed to giving back to the community. A partner of our #WeToo movement, he plans to give a facial- rejuvenating procedure to a deserving individual each quarter.

H A I R : R E V I TA L I Z E D T R E S S E S

“When someone goes through physical or psychological trauma, it shows on one’s face,” he said. “Although one may have healed internally, I like the thought of making the outside match the beautiful inside.”

Winter weather, living in the desert and color treatments all damage our locks. Eduardo Garcia, an expert hairstylist at Tease Boutique Salon, recommends several steps to get healthy hair this time of year. “I love Kérastase treatment products, specifically their hair masks,” he said. “They add moisture and shine back into the hair.”

Ho l i d ay, C h e e rs ! B E S T I N C L A S S | C L A S S I C C O C K TA I L S

By Jason Harris A fine cocktail is one thing. But getting a quality craft cocktail in a singular environment elevates the entire drinking game. It’s not just about what you are sipping, but where you are sipping it. Whether that be in a lounge designed specifically for the drinking experience or in a restaurant with a specialty cocktail program that harmonizes food and beverage, craft cocktail culture is on the rise. Here are some fantastic craft cocktails in Las Vegas and the excellent settings where to enjoy them: LIBERTINE SOCIAL

There are so many different vibes one can experience at this open space eatery in Mandalay Bay. The playful nature of chef Shawn McClain and mixology king Tony Abou-Ganim is on display with the neon décor, Bruce Springsteen The River-era font showcasing the name and 1960s surf-style memorabilia. Diners can sit in comfy lounge area, a formal dining room, a main bar or at the chef’s table by the grill. Then there’s Arcade Bar, a more private area for those looking to take their party away from the hubbub. There, guests can experience cocktails such as the Milano, Abou-Ganim’s current riff on a drink he created for Bar Milano in New York City. It’s a fizz filled with freshness courtesy of Effen Blood Orange Vodka, Aperol, lemon and prosecco.

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Queen’s Park Swizzle Pitcher Photo courtesy of MGM Resorts International

La Flama Blanca The Age of Sage

THE BLACK SHEEP

This suburban hideaway isn’t that hidden when you consider how many awards it has won. Chef Jamie Tran is making a name for herself with her modern Vietnamese comfort food in this small, inviting, neighborhood restaurant in the southwest part of the Las Vegas Valley. The quality of the food here is matched by that of the cocktails. Check out La Flama Blanca for a drink where the heat equals the flavor. V E LV E T E E N R A B B I T

This Arts District lounge is a favorite for hipsters and businesspeople alike. It’s the perfect spot for an afterwork beverage or a nightcap to punctuate an evening of partying. The dark wooden bar is offset by plush, retro couches and wallpaper that may never have been in style, but works for the room. Drinks are just as unique, like the Soylena, a combination of Borscht-infused vodka, Aquavit and tomato red wine shrub. J U N I P E R C O C K TA I L L O U N G E

Whether you smoke or not, this Park MGM lounge will make you want to throw on a smoking jacket and get lost in a world unlike the rest of the casino. Deep blue couches, goldenaccented ceilings and one of the longest bars in Las Vegas are a few of the reasons to stop by this gin joint where certain libations with names such as A Little Birdie are served in vessels shaped like our feathered friends. ESTHER’S KITCHEN

Chef James Trees is tearing up the culinary scene with his freshly made pasta, but serious foodies know the cocktail program at this Downtown hot spot is just as legit as the noodles. Sit at the bar for pasta happy hour and let the brightly colored walls and oceanic murals transport you to Southern California while you sip on a chill cocktail named The Age of Sage.

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M a k in g a l ist , C he ck i n g i t Tw ice BEST IN CLASS | SHOP LOCAL

By Bobbie Katz

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VASARI

APRICOT LANE

Located in Tivoli Village, Vasari’s 4,000-square-foot European-style designer boutique is a one-stop shop, according to owner Ardi Najmabadi. Its deep, open emporium is packed with a huge selection of items for both women and men to fit any occasion. High-end brands such as Alice + Olivia, J Brand, Chloe, Hudson, Bailey44 and Haute Hippie depict Vasari’s “luxury lifestyle” blend amid its quiet, elegant atmosphere. You can shop for ball gowns, jeans and yoga pants while perusing fragrances, handbags and a full line of Brian Atwood heels in the shoe salon.

Apricot Lane in Town Square Las Vegas offers fashion from casual to classy with the brands and accessories to express an individual’s style. From give-back brands such as Good Works Make a Difference and 3Strands to trendsetting lines such as Guitar Picking Bling, there is truly something for mothers and daughters alike. Apricot Lane also offers clients a chance to do fashion parties: The store offers incentives to donate portions of sales to a cause.

After opening a men’s store in the Forum Shops at Caesars in 1992 then moving to Boca Park in 2002 in which he added women’s fashions to the mix, Najmabadi opened Vasari in Summerlin in 2011. He personally enjoys helping customers to pair outfits — his self-proclaimed forte — a talent for which he uses his instincts to read people to bring out aspects of their personalities in their dress. His desire is to have people be comfortable and themselves in their outfit and possibly discover new sides of themselves in it. Speaking of comfort, non-shoppers can lounge on a vast couch and turquoise chair.

RIVER NORTH

A retail experience curated by award-winning interior designer Shelley Gorman of SKG DESIGNS, this small shop in Tivoli Village features revolving vignettes of numerous hand-selected accessories, rugs, art, pillows and even furniture. River North also carries wallpaper and upholstery and will help clients craft a design plan. Providing full service for interior design, the shop was inspired by the eclectic Chicago neighborhood that encouraged Gorman’s career in design. G U LT E N D Y E

Inspired by her upbringing in Turkey, Gulten Dye designs convertible and versatile jewelry pieces made from precious and semiprecious stones. Her earrings, rings, necklaces and charms are meant to attune to the soul. Included in her line are charms and tassels that can easily build and transform pieces. In her Town Square store is Creative Playground, where budding artisans can make their own pieces from thousands of beads and accessories. River North Vasari

The Dog House

THE DOG HOUSE

Fur babies can enjoy the holidays, too, thanks to The Dog House, with three locations — the flagship store in Town Square. The boutique not only offers a carefully selected assortment of doggie apparel, accessories, toys, natural treats, party supplies and dog-themed gifts, it also makes fresh organic dogfood and jerky under the name The Good Dog Food Company. The original recipes were created in 2008 for the company’s bulldog mascot, Trucker.

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T H E C O C K TA I L C A B A R E T

Focusing on musical virtuosity and humor brought to life by a small cast of powerhouse singers, The Cocktail Cabaret features regulars Niki Scalera, Eric Jordan Young, and Maren Wade with a four-piece band led by co-producer and renowned pianist Philip Fortenberry. A rotating lineup of special guest stars are scheduled to appear, and the show in Cleopatra’s Barge in Caesars Palace will also feature special guest emcees, Broadway star Brent Barrett and veteran comic Tony Arias, on various dates throughout the holiday season.

The Soun d of ( Li ve ) Mu s i c

OPERA LAS VEGAS

Opera Las Vegas is a nonprofit professional opera company serving Nevada through full-scale highcaliber opera productions and a variety of innovative outreach programs in local schools and community venues. It is the only official member of Opera America in the Silver State. On December 1-2 at the Windmill Library Theatre, the company will present Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. (That would be the 19th century composer who wrote the opera in 1891 and 1892 in Frankfurt, Germany.)

B E S T I N C L A S S | N O TA B L E N O T E S

By Bobbie Katz 116

PIA ZADORA AND SONNY CHARLES

A favorite of locals and celebrities alike, Pia’s Place in Piero’s Italian Cuisine is a fun off-Strip place to dine and be entertained. Pia Zadora reigns over the restaurant’s Monkey Bar space on Friday and Saturday nights. But this New Year’s Eve, it will be two for the show when the accomplished entertainer teams with Sonny Charles, former lead singer of Checkmates, Ltd., to perform classics and standards from the Great American Songbook from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Zadora began her stage career at the age of 7 in Midgie Purvis with the legendary Tallulah Bankhead, followed by a role as Bielke (Zero Mostel’s youngest daughter) in the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof. Role after role followed and years later, after marrying Meshulam Riklis, she initiated a film career. After several professional and personal ups and downs, Zadora began singing and recording. She has been performing at Pia’s Place with her new solo stage act since 2013. American soul singer Charles toured with another member of the Checkmates, Marvin “Sweet Louie” Smith, under the Checkmates name from the mid-’90s until Smith’s death in 2007. Having launched a solo career in the 1970s, Charles continues it today.

G E O R G E B U G AT T I

Pia Zadora photo courtesy of Piero’s

Cocktail Cabaret photo courtesy of PK Entertainment Opera Las Vegas George Bugatti

Acclaimed singer-musician George Bugatti was discovered by The Tonight Show host Steve Allen, mentored by Tony Bennett and brought to Las Vegas by Steve Wynn to open the Fontana Room when Bellagio opened in 1998. Bugatti can regularly be seen playing piano and performing songs from the Great American Songbook and more in intimate venues The Bootlegger (Friday and Saturday) and Casa Di Amore (Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Monday). He loves being close to his audiences and taking requests.

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S tunning Turnberry Pla c e Pent hous e RISES TO THE TOP IN LUXURY LAS VEGAS LIVING

By Art Nadler

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This stunning two-story 6,400-square-foot penthouse (Unit 3703, 2747 Paradise Road) commands a 270-degree view of the Strip, Downtown Las Vegas and surrounding desert mountain ranges. Synergy Sotheby’s International Realty is pricing the one-of-a-kind, two-bedroom, four-bath residence for sale at $6.9 million. It is fully furnished with museum-grade custom furniture by renowned designers Phyllis Morris and J. Robert Scott. Each piece is one-of-kind and hand carved. Subdued recessed ceiling lights, classic columns and handcrafted artisan wrought-iron doorways accent the space. A $140,000 wrought-iron staircase leads to the second floor. “This is truly a one-of-a-kind residence, offering a luxurious lifestyle to someone who truly appreciates the finer things in life,” said Don Kuhl, principal broker with Synergy Sotheby’s International Realty. “No expense was spared in the complete redesign of the residence. “The most discerning thought and effort went into the space and aesthetics within. The penthouse features a custom casino, offering unique entertaining opportunities for soirées and fundraisers alike.”

real estate

If you’ll looking for a residence perched at the epicenter of Las Vegas’ dynamic entertainment scene and guaranteed to turn heads for its bold uniqueness, look no further than Mike and Jodi Levy’s elegant penthouse at Turnberry Place in Las Vegas.

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The Levys bought the penthouse in 2005 new for $4 million and stripped everything out, including the plumbing, and spent an additional $4 million in upgrades. They took out two of the four bedrooms and increased the size of the master bedroom to include large his and hers walk-in closets, his and hers bathrooms and a massive sitting room. The master bath for her features a spa/ tub and oversize shower. A second bedroom was remodeled for guests. The entire remodeling took a year to complete. “We didn’t want to spend near as much, but we couldn’t say no to the designer we had,” Mike Levy said.

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The Levys engaged Roy Sklarin, the internationally famous Beverly Hills designer, for remodeling. He recommended that every appliance, sink, toilet and fixture be replaced by designer-quality replacements. The ceilings were raised, and walls were removed. New window coverings and lighting are controlled electronically through Lutron and Crestron systems.

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Hand-woven silk carpeting from Thailand was installed. Marble and honed limestone floors were placed throughout the residence, haloed by custom handcrafted iron chandeliers. The second floor of the penthouse was remodeled to emphasize entertainment. The Levys built a casino complete with 21 and craps tables, a roulette table, a money wheel and 10 slot machines. The custom-made casino chips feature pictures of the couple’s dogs. Levy said they decided to go with a casino theme because it fit living in Las Vegas, and the room is a great novelty for parties. Five large-screen televisions ring the casino, augmented by an impressive wooden-carved wet bar and its own theater. An expansive great room, which Levy turned into his office, also occupies a prominent place on the second floor. What’s especially impressive, and included with the sale of the penthouse, is the master bedroom’s super king-size canopy bed, featuring ornately carved pillars.

“I think an NBA player would like it!” Levy said. “They have the money, and it’s flashy enough. A 7-foot NBA player could easily sleep in this bed.” The penthouse veranda includes a swimming pool and spa; a double-sided gas fireplace takes the chill out of the winter air. Modern Viking appliances and elegant custom cabinetry enhance the kitchen. “We kept the home pretty classic,” Levy said. “We donated all the fixtures we took out to charities. … “We had this place for quite a while. We like the proximity to the Strip, and it really looks good at night. On New Year’s Eve, you can see all the fireworks along the Strip. It’s fantastic.” For more information on this property, contact Kuhl, Synergy Sotheby’s International Realty, 702-360-1414, or email don@synergysir.com. 

L a ke Ta hoe 1170 VIVIAN LANE INCLINE VILLAGE, NEVADA

This 6,008-square-foot, two-story custom lakefront property features five bedrooms, five full baths and one partial bath. Built in 2018, the estate is adjacent to a beachfront with a common pier and assigned boat buoy. The open-floor plan offers great panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. The main level boasts a large master suite and versatile game room/home theater. The property has a three-car garage, gourmet kitchen, four fireplaces, wine cellar/ grotto, beamed cathedral ceilings and majestic lake-view balconies. Hydronic heating is installed on both levels of the home. Designed by renowned Lake Tahoe architect Dale Cox, the home was completed this fall. It is priced at $16,795,000. Janet Pahl, Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty 775.745.6826 photos courtesy of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty

Zephy r Cove 550 SIERRA SUNSET LANE ZEPHYR COVE

This 16,703-square-foot, l0-bedroom, 12-full bath Lake Tahoe lakefront estate has its own private pier with panoramic views the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains. Built in 2004 with more than 400 tons of Montana stone gracing its exterior, the home features a grand foyer with circular staircase leading to the second floor and opens to the great room on the main level.

Heb e r Va l ley 8685 E. LAKE CREEK ROAD H E B E R , U TA H

This contemporary 5,067-square-foot estate on 20 acres is designed to encompass breathtaking scenery and wildlife. It is perched high above Heber Valley with Mount Timpanogos serving as a picturesque backdrop. This five-bedroom, five-bath home is priced at $3.5 million. Among the highlights: Vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, a chef’s kitchen, floor-toceiling windows and a bifold sliding door that expands the living space from the dining room to the rear patio. The tiered outdoor patio includes a built-in barbecue, hot tub and outdoor home theater. A 1,800-square-foot heated garage features a car lift, and the adjacent 1,200-squarefoot Quonset hut serves all your storage needs. Valen Lindner, Summit Sotheby’s International Realty | 619.865.3646

photos courtesy of Summit Sotheby’s International Realty

The main level features a game room with full bar and billiards area, home theater, grand family room, gourmet kitchen with butler’s pantry, formal dining room, home gym with steam, shower and sauna, wine room and adjoining four-car heated garage. Opposite the main home is a 1,448-square foot, two-bedroom guest home. It is priced at $46,995,000. Lexi Cerretti, Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty 775.833.1646 photos courtesy of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty

Jer r y Nad a l

V l ad i m i r Ku sh

S E N I O R V I C E P R E S I D E N T, R E S I D E N T S H O W S

ARTIST AND SCULPTOR/KUSH FINE ART GALLERIES

L esl ie Fr i sbee

DIVISION OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

EDITOR IN CHIEF

“I love to cook so my favorite holiday tradition is making all my family’s old Italian and English recipes and teaching our twin boys, Harrison and Wilson, to do the same thing. My favorite dish is my grandmother’s stuffing. There is nothing healthy about it, which is why I only make it once a year.”

No gift — given or received — is as valuable as the gift of time. Over the years, I’ve curated a copious collection of coveted gift guides; bought a barrage of bags, baubles and bespoke items for beloved; and amassed a plethora of perfectly presented parcels from the proverbial Secret Santa.

“Growing up in Russia with no access to merchandise, my favorite holiday tradition was making drawings, paintings, portraits and landscapes as gifts for my family. Continuing the tradition, we are preparing a large scope of gifts created for the Kush Fine Art family of fans and clients that includes art, jewelry, handbags and the newly printed book of fairly tales and fables written by my father Oleg Kush and illustrated by me.”

Suffice to say, I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff. Yet, my fondest holiday memories are imbued in time spent with family, friends and experiences: the love (patience) of my father teaching me to play “Silent Night” on the piano; the feel of the crisp winter air during a Central Park sleigh ride; the taste of my mother’s homemade caramel corn; the sight of a candlelit church service; the smell of a crackling fire; and the sounds of Bing Crosby emanating from my grandparents’ turntable. Gratitude.

CELEBRITY JOURNALIST

Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday, it’s easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas. The joyous moments of the season are those wrapped in thanks and giving — not paper and ribbon. According to monk and interfaith scholar David Steindl-Rast, “It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”

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M a r sa l a Ry pk a

So this holiday season, as you are making your list and checking it twice, may you find time to reflect on the past year and all you have to be grateful for such as family, friends, loved ones and health — important stuff and the most precious gifts.

Recently I was at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, to attend a gala put on by WildAid, a nonprofit dedicated to saving endangered wildlife. As I stepped into the elevator dressed in an evening gown, I met a woman and her daughter who were forced to flee their home because of the wildfires in Southern California with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In fact, many evacuees were staying in hotels. How heartbreaking it must be to have every treasured keepsake, every bit of your life, reduced to ashes. Ironically, as soon as I returned to Las Vegas I had to help my sister move what seemed like an endless amount of “stuff,” as George Carlin used to call it, into another house. It brought to mind the disparity between too much and not enough. Imagine what it would be like to lose everything. Such a tragedy is not something I would invite into my life, but I would welcome the hard-wrought wisdom of being able to recognize the gift that something so devastating might bring.

Sh a n B at e s-Bu nd ick

P i a Z ador a

CONTRIBUTOR, THE CLASS PROJECT

GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS,

“I’m grateful for holiday traditions that my husband Jacob and I celebrate every year, including a special trip to the Bellagio. We tour the Conservatory and sip Cable Cars at the Petrossian Bar, where we write our Christmas lists for each other on cocktail napkins.”

It would be difficult because we are of this world, and we do like material things. I equate being more spiritually evolved with being less attached to possessions. After all, we come into the world with nothing and leave with nothing. The gift is being able to carry the things that truly matter within our hearts even during the hardest times. Gratitude, resilience and peace of mind are priceless treasures.

PERFORMER AND SINGER

“My holiday tradition is to sleep in late Christmas day, have breakfast in bed, have a few drinks and then have my husband take me to dinner. So no different than the other 364 days a year. And I’m grateful for three things. My family, my career and Botox, just not in that order.”

Photography: Shane O’Neal and Deed DeBruno for SON Studios Las Vegas Hair and makeup by: Andeen Rose and Didi Akerman for ADD Hair & Make Up Agency

wal ki ng i nto 2019 like . . .

end note

Pretty pa ck a g e s — o n e, m ay be two In thi s l i fe s o qui ck l y th r o ug h . . .

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It’s not wh a t yo u g e t; i t’s wh a t yo u do Let it be g r a ti tude th a t yo u ch o o s e.

- Leslie Frisbee

G I U S E P P E Z A N O T T I AT T H E F O R U M S H O P S AT C A E S A R S

h a p p y h olid a y s fro m C L AS S C O M P A S S I O N | L I V I N G C O N S C I O U S LY | A U T H E N T I C I T Y | S E R V I C E | S O L U T I O N S