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06 JUNE 1 5

The 3rd annual PHOTO ISSUE

Shutter to think The stories behind cool local snaps

Focus on Nevada photo contest winners Plus We Just Had to Ask: HOW’D YOU GET HERE? Inspiring Las Vegans share their arrival stories Perfect for nature, or the urban jungle.

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EDiTOR’S Note

Past presence

as Vegas’ transient populace can make for a lot of awaits, too, in our annual photo feature package. Once brain-drain and skeletal, undernourished relation- again, everyone from smartphone shutterbugs to pro ships, but there’s definitely one advantage to living shooters get time in the spotlight as winners — out of in a city where everyone comes from somewhere 1,426 entries! — in our third annual Focus on Nevada L else: Whoa, what great backstories. Amid the drift- photo contest (p. 50). And when you’re done drooling ers, dreamers and second-chancers who float our way, over that cache of eye-candy, be sure to check out the there are countless compelling tales of arrival. Some fled companion feature, “How I got the shot” (p. 61), a person- oppressive regimes and even civil war to come here; oth- al how-and-why walk-through of some seasoned photog- ers arrived through lucky encounters and chance meet- raphers’ favorite shots. Photojournalists share anecdotes ings that transformed their lives; still others consciously about some of their more newsworthy snaps, fine art bull’s-eyed Sin City with success in their sights. What- photographers unveil the techniques behind their star- ever the reason, those fascinating origin stories of How I tling images, and commercial shooters reveal the secrets Came to Vegas are the subject of this year’s installment of behind their surprisingly complex images. Smartphone We Just Had to Ask (p. 68). You’ll meet a newspaper car- cameras and image apps may have democratized the art toonist who got his big break from a gruff phone call from of photography, but there’s no Instagram filter for in- a former Nevada governor, an entrepreneur whose cross- stincts, ingenuity and inspired thinking. roads moment was a (thankfully) bad haircut, an artist Finally, ’scuse us while we pat ourselves couple who fled a stifling theocracy halfway around the on the back: Desert Companion took home world, and a Lost Boy of Sudan now living the American two Maggie awards (“the Oscars of publish- dream in Southern Nevada — and who still sometimes ing”!) at the 64th annual Western Publish- wonders if he is, in fact, dreaming. ing Association awards banquet May 1 in The extraordinary thing to me is a certain unextraor- Los Angeles. We won a Maggie for James dinariness about it all. Not, of course, their stories and Joseph Brown’s humorous Dungeons & their struggles. I’m thinking, rather, of the idea that liv- Dragons memoir, “Mage Against the Ma- ing in a drowsy north valley suburb is a Sudanese man chine” (November 2014), and another for who as a 7-year-boy walked for a month barefoot, through Chris Morris’ sharp illustration for our May jungle and over hill, to reach the promised land that was 2014 story, “Bad to the bones,” about the a crowded refugee camp in Ethiopia. That our city is a Tule Springs fossil beds. Woot! Congratula- Andrew Kiraly magnet for such stories — that the people who’ve lived tions to them, us and the real winner: You. editor these stories are our friends and neighbors — is a fine thing. And when you think of it in that light, our transience isn’t such a prob- Next lem. It suggests instead that while Ve- MOnth gas peddles luck to the tourists who Enter feast stream constantly through, we also mode! With our offer hope to those who choose to live sixth annual Follow Desert Companion DEALicious here, for however long. www.facebook.com/DesertCompanion Meals A refreshed vision of Las Vegas www.twitter.com/DesertCompanion

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Wielding hashtags like throwing stars, the social-media have ventured into the wilderness west of Las Vegas over the ages. ninjas at the Nevada National Security Site showed us The group got a grant from the city to help cover printing costs, 1 some love for Alan Gegax’s account of touring the former Williams says. They’re shopping for a publisher now and hope Test Site, which ran in our May issue: “Great #article by Des- to have one nailed down by June. All proceeds from sales of the ert Companion magazine about the many #cultural resources softcover book will go back to the nonprofit to help its efforts to at the #Nevada National Security Site,” they posted. Careful preserve Red Rock’s safety and beauty. “This is something we’ve there; it’s all fun and games until someone puts their eye out on been talking about and working on for a long time,” Williams says. a pound sign. Speaking of cultural resources: “Raw and real,” “It’s great to see it finally coming to pass.” Lonn M. Friend’s May profile of local rocker Shel- ley Beth Miller, had ’em belting out a love song in Miller’s hometown. “We love Shelley back here in the Motor City,” Jake Smith commented at desertcompanion.vegas. “She’s our blood and our soul. Rock on, Shelley.” Writing on Miller’s Facebook page, Karla Kay Harris gave subject and writer their due: “You have earned every word and every note. Lonn Friend captured your incredible strong spirit.” Another strong spirit is Melissa McGill, a parent featured in Heidi Kyser’s report about the expansion of magnet schools in Clark County — McGill’s a vocal critic of that process. And, it seems, a whole lot more. “Melissa McGill is a rock star and a wonderful human being and raises amazing children,” one Facebooker writes. Finally, in another short burst of reasonable praise, Eric Hunter had this to say about Vern Hee’s May report on efforts to turn Dept. of Humble Bragging: Desert Companion Maggied Beatty into a mountain-biking hot spot: “I think this could be it up last month at the 64th annual Western Publish- a great place,” he posted. “When I make the drive from Mam- 3 ing Association awards (the Maggies). Nominated in moth, California, to Las Vegas to Southern Utah, I drive thru eight categories, we brought home the clear tubular plastic this town and think what an awesome place this area would be statues in two: In Best Signed Editorial or Essay, the winner to ride, and also a reason to camp out at the nearby hot spring.” was James Joseph Brown’s November piece “Mage Against We think you mean “#nearby #hot #spring.” the Machine,” a lively memoir about playing Dungeons & Dragons as a kid. And under Best Single Editorial Illustration, A reader at the City of Las Vegas spotted the segment de- frequent contributor Chris Morris won for his vision of a bu- voted to Friends of Red Rock in our March feature “Good reaucrat standing atop a vanquished mammoth, which accom- 2 Neighbor Policy,” and wrote to let us know that the panied a story about the political obstacles to preserving the community group is about to add another feather to its cap — a Tule Springs fossil beds. “Getting a Maggie award is always book, Seekers, Saints & Scoundrels: the Colorful Characters of Red particularly gratifying,” says editor Andrew Kiraly, “because Rock Canyon. The 300-page collection of stories was researched, in this competition, Desert Companion — with our compara - written and edited by volunteers for Friends of Red Rock Canyon, tively tiny editorial staff of six — swims with some pretty big says president Chuck Williams. Several years in the making, it fish, such as Ms., Variety, Backpacker and more.” Fist-bumps documents the lore of hikers, climbers, miners and settlers who all around if, indeed, fist bumps are still a thing.

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Features

50 oh, snap! 61 shoot 74 we just Time to unveil the best submissions first, answer had to ask from our annual Focus on Nevada Questions So many Las Vegans come from photo contest — including one very later elsewhere, usually with a story enlightening grand-prize winner about how they got here. So we To learn more about what goes on listened to some. behind the shutter, we asked eight photographers who work in very different styles — from landscape to photojournalism, from art to commercial — to show us a picture and tell us a story d ent amateur/stu entrant, contest photo Dominic gentilcore, lake tahoe: rock, bonsai

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24 departments

All Things 28 essay 41 Dining 75 The Guide 15 environment Did You know all that opti- 42 The Dish Summer Did a yogurt truck a leadership vacuum misim about those great dishes — perfect for overturn on the freeway? hurt conservation in the “jobs of the future”? that hot period between ’Cause we’ve got culture 2015 Legislature? Well ... early spring and late fall! all over the place! By Hugh Jackson 18 history A whole 43 Eat this now 80 End note Nevada history. Finally. 34 health In which you learn the chemical name of a The only satirical round- 20 zeit bites Don’t Can a new form of the bitter-alkaloid compo- up of the 2015 Legisla- fear the abstract art! drug naltrexone help nent of chocloate. Mmm, ture you’ll ever need 22 Profile Dr. Cuba addicts by taking all the bitter alkaloid ... By Andrew Kiraly & fun out of addiction? Scott Dickensheets 24 STYLE A man in By Andrew Kiraly 46 at first Bite on the Fuller Julian Serrano’s Lago cover 26 Open topic doesn’t serve old-fash- PHotography ioned Italian fare — and “How can we capitalize Miguel Villegas, it’s (mostly) terrific Focus on Nevada on all this beauty?!” photo contest entrant michael fuller; lucky wenzel; illustration: brent holmes; linguine: elizabeth buehring; Veils: courtesy asylum theatre asylum courtesy brent holmes; linguine: elizabeth buehring; Veils: wenzel; illustration: michael fuller; lucky

June 2015 8 DesertCompanion.com

Keep Your Landscape publisheD By nevada public radio Fresh…and Your Mission Statement Weekends Free Desert Companion is the premier city magazine that celebrates the pursuits, passions and aspirations of Southern Nevadans. With award- winning lifestyle journalism and design, Desert Companion does more than inform and entertain. We spark dialogue, engage people and define the spirit of the Las Vegas Valley.

Publisher Melanie Cannon Associate Publisher Christine Kiely Editor Andrew Kiraly Art Director Christopher Smith deputy editor Scott Dickensheets senior designer Scott Lien staff writer Heidi Kyser Graphic Designer Brent Holmes Actual Schilling Horticulture Group landscape

Account executives aintain your landscape and your social calendar throughout the year Sharon Clifton, Parker McCoy, Favian Perez, Leigh Stinger, Noelle Tokar, Markus Van’t Hul Mby allowing one of our dedicated maintenance teams to service your account coordinator Kayla Hamblen property on a regular basis. Marketing manager Lisa Kelly Subscription manager Chris Bitonti • Sustainable Landscape Care • Irrigation Diagnostics Web administrator Danielle Branton • Emphasis on Hand Pruning • Fertilization & Soil Management traffic coordinator Karen Wong • Insect & Disease Management • General Clean-up & Debris Removal ADVERTISING COPY EDITOR Carla J. Zvosec Contributing writers Dawn-Michelle Baude, Cybele, Bjorn Dihle, Damon Hodge, Mélanie Hope, Matt Kelemen, Debbie Lee, Mention this ad when scheduling your consultation Christie Moeller, Geoff Schumacher, Greg Thilmont, Mitchell Wilburn to receive 10% off your initial maintenance visit Contributing artists (New clients only. Offer expires July 15, 2015) Elizabeth Buehring, Hernan Valencia, Aaron Mayes, Chris Morris, Sabin Orr, Lucky Wenzel Editorial: Andrew Kiraly, (702) 259-7856; 2007 [email protected] THRU Fax: (702) 258-5646 Advertising: Christine Kiely, (702) 259-7813; 2014 [email protected] Call (702) 452-5272 Subscriptions: Chris Bitonti, (702) 259-7810; [email protected] for a maintenance consultation Website: www.desertcompanion.com Desert Companion is published 12 times a year by Nevada Public Radio, 1289 S. Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89146. It is available by subscription at desertcompanion.com, or as part of Nevada Public Radio membership. It is also dis- Like us on Facebook tributed free at select locations in the Las Vegas Valley. All photos, artwork and ad designs printed are the sole property of Desert Companion and may not be duplicated or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The views of Desert Companion contributing writers are #WE8589-A & Insured Bonded, Licensed, not necessarily the views of Desert Companion or Nevada schillinghorticulture.com Public Radio. Contact Chris Bitonti for back issues, which are available for purchase for $7.95.

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A history book that makes history where have all the eco-warriors gone? page 18

ENVIRONMENT Earth change Nevada’s environmental movement is evolving — just not in time to have made an impact in the 2015 Legislature by HEIDI KYSER

wo months into Nevada’s 78th legislative session, the public learned that a 3 percent cap on distributed generation — which T limits the number of utility customers who can participate in state’s net-metering program — could stymie the nascent rooftop solar industry, self-proclaimed creator of some 6,000 jobs. No bill had been introduced to raise the cap, and NV Energy made clear its intention to fight any provisional effort to that end. The environmental community, which had so cohesively and effectively fought for the shutdown of NV Energy’s coal-fired power generation plants in 2013, appeared to be caught off-guard. Meanwhile, a bill pushing for a statewide increase in energy efficiency went nowhere. And Senate Joint Resolution 1, calling for 7 million acres of federal land in Nevada to be turned over to state and private development interests, was picking up steam. Since the last legislative session, some high-profile organizations in Nevada’s conservation/environmental movement have undergone fundamental changes. In June 2013, the board of directors of Nevada Wilderness Project voted to dissolve the organization. A few months later, Scot Rutledge handed the reins of Nevada Conservation League to April Mastroluca, who resigned in June 2014 to direct the ALS Association Nevada Chapter. She hasn’t been replaced. That same month, Rob Mrowka retired as senior scientist for the Center for Biological Diversity in Nevada; although he has continued consulting for the organization on local issues, he returned home to upstate New York. He hasn’t been replaced. In February of this year, Lydia Ball passed the Clean Energy Project torch to Jennifer Taylor. It’s tempting to draw a line from these transitions to the dearth of Earth-friendly action in the Legislature this spring, but, as with most concurrent historical phenomena, the relationship between the two is more complicated than cause-and-effect.

June 2015 illustration chris morris DesertCompanion.com 15 ALL Things environment Hear more Can the For one thing, having fewer high-profile proposal, which would protect Devil’s Hole fight, we’re not going to win the conservation and environmental activists 800,000 acres of land in Lincoln pupfish help longer-term battle. … At Earth Day in in Carson City might not have made much and Nye counties from mining cure cancer? Reno, there were booths where difference there this spring. and development. Hear a people were talking about intersec- discussion “In terms of the legislators, it’s not too The CLF is represented in on “KNPR’s tions between various issues, such as different than how it’s been in the past,” Nevada by David Bobzien, the State of the corporations that use our sky as says Kyle Davis, who lobbies on behalf of former state assemblyman and Nevada” free garbage dumps being the same the Nevada Conservation League and a current Reno City Council at d e s e rt ones trying to do away with companion. few other groups. “There aren’t as many member-at-large who was com/hear collective bargaining and privatizing bills this time around as there normally involved with the Nevada more public land for their own use. There are that have an environmental or Wilderness Project until it shut are huge opportunities in fighting conservation impact. There are a couple down. There are few national environmen- climate change that are going to bring pretty big ones, but that hasn’t really tal heavyweights with boots on the ground together these coalitions.” been the focus of the session.” locally that are as well-connected and Fulkerson adds that millennials, who Davis is hinting at a political reality: -schooled in local issues as Bobzien. The grew up with easy access to vast stores With conservatives having taken over Nature Conservancy and Sierra Club are a of information, are good at connecting both the Assembly and Senate in the couple of exceptions. Most, such as the the dots and using social media to rally November elections, environmental National Wildlife Federation and the diverse crowds around common causes. issues took a back seat to the majority’s Natural Resource Defense Council, have Davis also believes the next generation priorities — gun rights, prevailing-wage regional offices that send representatives to of conservation and environmental activ- suppression, voter ID. Even if the Nevada to fight battles as they come up. ists holds great promise. environmental lobby had big plans, they But this doesn’t mean they’re ineffec- “I can tell you, from the NPCA’s probably would have been thwarted. tive, says Lynn Davis, Nevada director of standpoint, that people are lined up, And the proposals to hand over federal the National Parks Conservation resumés in hand,” she says, “environmen- lands have actually moved several groups Association, giving the example of the tally passionate young people who want to trek to Carson City in protest (full disclo- Bureau of Land Management’s Resource positions in conservation nonprofits. There sure: one of them, Friends of Gold Butte, Management Plan for Southern Nevada, is no shortage of recruits, and those who included my husband). which is being developed for the next 20 come across my desk humble and awe me.” “I think the push-back against the years. A who’s-who of national conserva- In April, the Nevada Sierra Club and privatization of public lands has shown tion nonprofits dispatched teams to Alliance for Climate Education sent six that, in spite of the turnover in some Nevada to study the plan and make public high school students from Liberty High organizations, whether it’s Las Vegas or comments, Davis says. School to the Nevada Legislature to Reno, the community as a whole is still “They’re not overlooking Nevada. testify in favor of the energy-efficiency loaded for bear,” says Bob Fulkerson, state They’re engaged here, particularly in bill. They failed to persuade the state’s director and cofounder of the energy-transmission issues and renew- leaders to commit to a 1 percent increase Progressive Leadership Alliance ables, that sort of thing,” she says. in efficiency, which, the nonprofits ‘If we don’t of Nevada. “Now, we just have to And some homegrown groups, such as estimate, would have created 4,600 jobs bring our coalesce around some lon- Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Great and saved businesses $3.4 billion by shared, larger ger-term goals.” Basin Resource Watch, are growing their 2020. Sierra Club spokeswoman Marta values into the Fulkerson points out that the staffs and memberships, gearing up for Stoepker hopes the experience ener- state has several active issue- and activism on issues in various regions of gized, rather than demoralized, them. fight, we’re place-specific groups, a few of the state. “You know, the future of this move- not going which, such as Protectors of Tule Nevertheless, Fulkerson acknowledges, ment is not just millennials,” she says, to win the Springs and the Lower Colorado “the environmental presence in Carson “but also people of color, anyone who’s River Water Trail Alliance, have City has never been what it needs to be, in been marginalized because of these longer-term scored major wins recently. terms of the battles we have to wage issues. Traditionally, environmental battle.’ Efforts like these, which reach against the polluters — mining, energy groups have been known as old white further than the state Legislature, companies and the rest.” men who like to hike. That’s not what we have elicited considerable He believes that, if they’re to succeed, are anymore. … Being an environmentalist participation by the conservation/ groups with broadly related interests are isn’t just about being out in the moun- environmental community. Most recently, going to have to collaborate more tains; it’s about what’s going on in the the Conservation Lands Foundation has strategically: “If we’re only focused on communities right outside your door.” led the push to garner support for U.S. saving one set of rocks or plants and don’t And, she and others in the movement Senator Harry Reid’s Basin and Range bring our shared, larger values into the hope, in the capital.

June 2015 16 DesertCompanion.com

ALL Things history

good read A state in full Michael Green delivers a Nevada history that finally gives Las Vegas its due — and doesn’t shrink from the state’s dark side

By Geoff Schumacher

his book was long overdue. For more than two decades, a new Tcomprehensive Nevada history has been sorely needed. In addition to the fact that many transformative events have occurred over the past quarter-cen- of past histories by confronting the ern half. He updates the rest of the state tury, we’ve needed a new approach to darker aspects of Nevada’s past: political as well, including the redevelopment of better reflect the driving forces behind corruption, bigotry and organized crime. downtown Reno, the 21st-century mining the state’s 20th-century history. Political figures such as Pat McCarran and boom in Northern Nevada and the More specifically, Nevada has needed Paul Laxalt are honestly portrayed, their cultural phenomenon of Burning Man in a history that gives proper attention to successes and failures described in equal the Black Rock Desert. Las Vegas. All the previous histories — the measure, and organized crime’s pivotal role In the end, Nevada: A History of the most recent being those by Russell Elliott in the growth of Las Vegas is not glossed Silver State is a “survey” history, ideally (1973) and James Hulse (1989) — have over. (Hulse could not summon a single suited for college students taking a barely acknowledged that Las Vegas is mention of Bugsy Siegel or Moe Dalitz course in Nevada history. As such, it part of Nevada, let alone the state’s prima- in his state history.) Green is at his most sometimes lacks the literary flavor or ry political, economic and social influence animated when chronicling the thrusts and storytelling power of more narrowly since the 1960s. Writing from the vantage parries of Nevada political battles, a subject focused works. But Green, recognizing point of Reno’s ivory tower, Elliott and he knows particularly well. this, incorporates some fun Easter eggs Hulse intentionally or naïvely short-shrift- This book is refreshing, too, for to enliven the reading experience, often ed the rising colossus in the south. eschewing old-fashioned notions that in the form of unexpected pop-culture UNLV history professor Michael certain topics are unsuitable for a prim references. He cites the musical Porgy Green’s Nevada: A History of the Silver state history. In Nevada, perhaps more and Bess, quotes the environmental State (University of Nevada Press) than any other state, popular enter- writer John Muir and mentions the addresses this glaring deficiency at tainment is an essential element of the Charlie Chaplin movie The Gold Rush, every opportunity. Rather than treating cultural and economic history, and Green among other such references. Las Vegas as a footnote or sidebar to embraces this. He name-checks many of For Nevada history buffs, this book is what previous writers have considered the showroom stars who helped put Las essential, serving as a solid foundation the main story happening up north, Vegas on the map, including Liberace, for all subsequent reading. As a favor Green weaves the city’s history logically Frank Sinatra and even the Strip’s first to those readers, Green concludes each into the larger narrative. The Mormons nude show, Minsky’s Follies at the Dunes. chapter with a “suggested readings” list settle in Las Vegas on Page 70, Helen (By contrast, Elliott’s history ekes out a that includes all the better nonfiction Stewart enters stage left on Page 156 short paragraph on the early symphonies, books about Nevada. and Steve Wynn gets his due on Page ballet troupes and theater companies in 386. For the first time, readers living Las Vegas but fails to mention the Rat Geoff Schumacher is the director of south of Beatty have a state history they Pack or Elvis Presley.) content for the Mob Museum and author can identify with. Green has wisely not tilted his history of Sun, Sin & Suburbia: The History of Green addresses another weakness too heavily in favor of the state’s south- Modern Las Vegas.

June 2015 18 DesertCompanion.com Photography BRENT HOLMES BOLD ITALIAN. SMALL PLATES. ALL Things zeit bites

art appre ciation Mystified is normal How to break the ice with Brian Porray's work "/'\0SCILL4T0R/'\" by dawn-michelle baude

ap! Clang! Zwoosh! The “=/’\0SCILL4T0R/’\=” is here. The robust work of Vegas-born artist Brian Porray, “=/’\0SCILL- Z4T0R/’\=” moves into its new home at UNLV’s Barrick Museum June 19 (with the Recent Acquisitions show). Time to get to know the new neighbor. Here’s how. Start out on the right foot. Although you’ve probably never seen a painting like this, that doesn’t mean you won’t become fast friends. Porray is considered one of the best painters of his generation … which means he’s doing something that’s never been done before. (You don’t stand out by doing familiar stuff.) Feeling a little perplexed providing commentary on the age in which it’s made. Gee, what’s up? or mystified by “=/’\0SCILL4T0R/’\=” is normal. Freedom vs. control, cyborg vs. human, digital vs. organic, science vs. Don’t be shy. In order to bond with this piece you have to get humanities, neuroplasticity vs. stasis are a few conversations that this right into the game. Look for the symmetries the painting is built on. painting can’t wait to start. …. Oops. The center of the X isn’t exactly in the center of the painting. Let the experience flow. Relationships, like art appreciation, The left side of the canvas doesn’t exactly mirror the right. Do lines are often the result of gradual unfolding. Chill with “=/’\0SCILL- really meet? Where is Porray making you think you should see 4T0R/’\=” and see what happens. Summer of Love? Electric Daisy something that isn’t there? Carnival? A rainbow snow cone? Neo’s moment of truth inThe Matrix? Reach beyond first impressions. The simulated binary When you’re comfortable enough, you may even venture how the paint structure and the “leet” (Internet) language of the “=/’\0SCILL- drips in “=/’\0SCILL4T0R/’\=” defy gravity. 4T0R/’\=” title must mean something. Art derives its staying power by Dawn-Michelle Baude is art critic for Las Vegas Weekly

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in Las Vegas; 105 in the (bonus points if shade discourages, to you’re receiving an paraphrase Joyce, the illicit love letter), a bloomin' ineluctable modalities (2) Catholic Church of the peripatetic (stop (Guardian Angel whining and Google the words). You can, howev- Cathedral on the Strip), a pharmacy, a newspaper er, get into the spirit of Bloomsday easily enough office (Bloom goes to place an ad, but you can vegas with these simple prescriptions: just stop by the R-J to complain about its Op-Ed June 16 is the 111th anniversary of Bloomsday; not The Book. Even though you likely haven’t page), the (3) library (bonus points if you discuss bad, considering it marks a day in 1904 that only read Ulysses, that’s no excuse not to do what your theory of Hamlet with random patrons), and exists within James Joyce’s legendary modernist countless bohemians have done: Walk around a maternity hospital, if you can find one. Don’t classic Ulysses, a novel that nearly all literati bow with a copy under your arm. Head to Vegas’ in- forget to have lunch (we recommend Eat) and down before even if many have never finished dependent bookstore, The Writer’s Block (1020 dinner at a hotel (you’ll find one). Bloom also it. Joyce’s transposition of The Odyssey to early Fremont) and pick up a copy. Walk to (1) The visits a brothel, but we’ll leave such high fidelity 20th-century Dublin follows the wanderings of Beat (Fremont and Sixth), order an espresso, to the novel to the reader’s discretion. one Leopold Bloom, Joyce’s Everyman, over and flip it open. Don’t forget to stroke your chin The Drink. All of this has been leading up the course of a single day and evening as he occasionally and gaze pensively into the dis- to the real point of Bloomsday, of course: that navigates the city. Scholars and fans dubbed tance. And if you actually start reading it, here’s aforementioned Guinness. The best immersion in 4 the book’s June 16 date as Bloomsday, setting a pro tip: Put in your earbuds, pull up YouTube, something resembling Bloom’s Dublin is to it aside to celebrate Joyce in particular and look up “Ulysses Audiobook Unabridged” and stop into (4) McMullan’s Irish Pub (4650 W. Irishness in general, a happy decision that allows listen as the novel is read aloud. You can even Tropicana Ave.), where the atmosphere is highbrows who disdain the blarney that is St. follow along. Hey, it’s only nine hours. just authentic enough to encourage spon- Patrick’s Day an excuse to heft a few pints of The Wandering. Bloom visits numerous taneous readings from your now doubtless- Guinness in genuflection. places around Dublin, on errands large and small, ly dog-eared copy of Ulysses, having fallen But while anyone spending Bloomsday in many charged with melancholy, hope, lust and under the spell of Joyce’s protean prose Dublin can trace Bloom’s route around the city, curiosity. Do the same, whether on foot (hard- and the spill of a good Irish stout … at least, it’s harder to emulate the hero’s perambulations core) or by car (normal). Visit the post office until next June 16. - Gregory Crosby

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June 2015 20 DesertCompanion.com ILLUSTR ATION BRENT HOLMES traditions Still shakin’ it! For her new book Legends: The Las Vegas Living Art of Risqué, French Wine & photographer Marie Baronnet traveled the country to take Music joyous, revealing portraits of early burlesque performers, many in Las Festival Vegas (such as Bambi Jones, above).

What made you A UNIQUE FESTIVAL undertake this? It was my fascination for this THAT PAIRS WINES community of talented women, pioneers in their own way, who helped by their beautiful costumes. WITH THE MUSIC AND brought a great contribution to the eman- And their theatrical talent. After each PROMOTES A MUTUAL cipation of women in general. They were portrait I would do an interview, asking in charge of their lives with such audacity about their work and burlesque careers SOCIAL EXPERIENCE. and freedom at a time when women were but also about their lives. It was very supposed to be perfect housewives. Also, moving to see how those women have I wanted to work with mature women been survivors, leaving a great legacy of who, past a certain age, are never shown a world that has now disappeared. as desirable. I wanted to represent them in June 11-13 their full age, showing still, to me, a lot of What’s the funniest thing that NEVADA STATE MUSEUM seduction, glamour and even eroticism. As happened during this project? a European woman it was also fascinating My first interview was with Dixie Evans; to see the history of American striptease she was 85 at the time. She hosted me unfolding through these stories, from in her little caravan in Vegas. She was Enjoy world-class music WWII to the ’90s. wearing a wonderful red dress. When we played by accomplished started to shoot the portrait, she proposed What was your goal while to take her top off. She stripped in front of and talented musicians at shooting these portraits? the camera with such joy and glamour, it the Nevada State Museum I thought of showing those women today was contagious. She initiated me in a way on the grounds of the without trying to dissimulate their age, that gave me faith to pursue this project. Springs Preserve. Join us The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender is June 4-7 at The Orleans, bhofweekend.com for a unique experience in a stunning location and Fourteen summers ago I happened upon a festive gathering juneteenth in a strip mall parking lot on H Street and Owens Avenue. support a festival that gives My first experience with Juneteenth happened to be the city’s first large-scale commemoration of June 19, 1865, the day slaves in Galveston, Texas, back to the community. learned of their freedom. A black history buff, I somehow knew next to nothing about Juneteenth. I wasn’t the only one. Organizers gathered a group of us neophytes and filled PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY AT in the historical blanks: Though the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery on January 1, 1863, it took two and a half years and additional Union troops to enforce the execu- LASVEGASWINEANDMUSIC.COM tive order and inform the Galveston slaves of their freedom; some areas have celebrated OR CALL Juneteenth for more than a century. In the years since my Juneteenth discovery, I’ve become an advocate, campaign- 702-997-1806 ing (mostly among family) to give it the same respect as the Martin Luther King Holiday. Meantime, organizers of local observances watched interest grow, with the food and music festival hosted by Diane and Anthony Pollard annually wel- PROUD SPONSOR coming hundreds to venues like Lorenzi Park, the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater and Symphony Park. It’s history, with a side of fun. –Damon Hodge

June 2015 DesertCompanion.com 21 ALL Things people

profile Dr. Antonio Serru Internist

r. Antonio Serru’s office is nestled in a modest medical district on Eastern Avenue just south of Flamingo Road. Appearances aside, Dthough, there’s a particularly interesting story behind the unas- suming building. Like many Las Vegans, Dr. Serru came from elsewhere. In his case, that elsewhere was 90 miles from the United States and yet worlds away: He was a refugee who fled Cuba 17 years ago with his wife now houses Serru Medical Center. He’s and two sons. “The main reason I left Cuba was because of the poor since added a medical spa that offers economic conditions,” Serru says, his Cuban accent still noticeable. “The aesthetic treatments (fat reductions, fa- doctors are really paid nothing. I mean, I was paid $25 a month. I was cials), but the core of his services center actually seeing people that didn’t really study, people that really didn’t on traditional medicine — while serving sacrifice as much as I did, getting rewarded more than I was. It was a community that’s very special to him. really unfair.” Once he settled in Las Vegas, he received assistance from He says half of his patients are Cuban; Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, beginning a relationship that another third are Spanish-speaking or refugees from places where Cuban continues to this day. doctors are held in high esteem. In fact, he makes sure they know he is Cuban and was once a refugee himself. “I want them to feel like I am also a for- Every day, travelers arrive in Las “third country” resettlement, often in eign person too,” he says. “I tell them, Vegas from across the globe, but many a place where friends and relatives can ‘I came the same as you. I didn’t drop are here for more than a vacation. receive them. Not surprisingly, that in a helicopter here being a doctor and They’re refugees seeking a better life. third country is often the U.S. “Chances having all this. I came here and started About 1,800 of them a year arrive in of being resettled to a third country are working, getting $8 an hour too,’ to Las Vegas through Catholic Charities less than 1 percent,” says Eich. “Many set an example. They come depressed. of Southern Nevada’s Migration and of our clients describe it as winning the They come sad at their situation. They Refugee Services. lottery. You might be living in a camp don’t have a job. I tell them ‘Look, I “The goal of our program is to help for five years, 10 years, just waiting for came the same and look at me. You refugees become self-sufficient as your name to appear one day on a list can do it. Everyone goes through this. quickly as possible,” says Whitney Eich, and find out that you have the chance to I lived in an apartment at Charleston assistant director for the program. go to a new country.” and Maryland where there was drugs, About 70 percent of Catholic Charities’ where there was shooting everywhere. refugee clients come from Cuba. The Serru was one the lucky ones who All that you’re doing I went through, rest flee Afghanistan, Burma, Eritrea, won that lottery. After settling in the and look at me.’ I try to show them Iran, Iraq and Somalia, among other United States, he was eventually hired that they can make it because it’s really nations. They often spend several years, by a Cuban doctor. When that doctor frustrating at the beginning when you stateless in a refugee camp, waiting to retired five years later, Serru bought come. It’s scary, it’s scary.” be approved by the United Nations for both the practice and the building that — Matt Kelemen

June 2015 22 DesertCompanion.com Photography Checko Salgado June 2015 DesertCompanion.com 23 ALL Things style

If you could pick your favorite designer and cook a meal for him or her, who would it be? I’m not really a designer groupie. I don’t deify many people except really the Gandhis of the world. I’ve admired many people for their contributions to society or careers that impacted and changed industries, and I do appreciate swagger. I dig personal style. Fashion is a tool used to express personal style to me. So who has great personal style that I would want to cook for? Lenny Kravitz, Daniel Craig or Justin Timberlake.

Where do you weigh in on the great men’s shirt debate: tucked or untucked? There’s a time and place for everything. It’s the cut of the shirt that dictates tucked or untucked. You shouldn’t wear a proper full-sleeve collared shirt designed for a suit untucked. There are specific cuts in long-sleeve collared shirts designed to be worn out trendsetter and even with their sleeves rolled up. Know the difference. I would say the only exception is if you’re overweight and feel more comfortable with it out. Big guys stuffing themselves into Michael Fuller tight pants and shirts is not a good look.

Hospitality developer, operator and consultant What’s your best tip for men when shopping for By Christie Moeller summer clothing? Keep it to the basics. Solid light color for a shirt or short and give a little color with the other item. One small accessory like a leather bracelet. Don’t go print on print unless you know what you’re doing and being very intentional. Your personal style? Straightforward and classic. What are your tips for guys to spice up their looks What’s the biggest with accessories this season? The bracelet goes a long fashion mistake most men make? Too many accessories. way for me. Whether it’s a digital tracking your information or One bracelet or simple necklace goes a long way. We all love Mr. leather or metal, it gives just a hint that you’re paying attention T, but that was the ’80s. to your style, but you aren’t going overboard and being “metro.”

What clothing item would you love to see make a What should a man never leave the house without? comeback? Short suits. Perfect for Las Vegas summers. Breath mints, a pen, and a business card.

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June 2015 DesertCompanion.com 25 ALL Things open topic discomfort zone

you know you’ll be wearing gold chains, walking a Pomeranian and trying to turn a trick for a few coins to play the slots,” he said. “Are you sure this isn’t some sort of scam to harvest your kidneys for the black market?” When I landed at McCarran I felt like a starry-eyed lamb venturing into a fold of wolves. Walking past security, I got wedged between members of a bachelorette and bachelor party amping themselves up for the weekend. I laughed with them but sounded like a horse in heat. Nothing kills a party like a sweaty, hairy man dressed like Forest Gump making horny barnyard-animal sounds. The cold truth was that I did not belong in any city, especially Vegas. Which brought me back to my friend’s question — what did a fancy metro woman want with me? Was she part of a Bacchae cult that sacrificed socially awkward men? Was she an alien who wanted to do weird experiments on my eyes? I soon learned it was much worse. Getting me to come to Vegas was MC’s ploy to harvest my soul. I quickly became addicted to Malibu rum and Taco Bell, which led to unnatural flatulence and urban despair. After a couple of weeks, MC reached her breaking point. One morning she asked me to pack my bag and get in the car. Instead of driving to the airport, she drove northeast, past the casinos, las- civious billboards and suburban sprawl. Now that she owned my soul, she was obviously going to dispose of the rest of me. I imagined all the folks the Mob had buried in the stretch of desert. he first time I visited Las “So this is how it ends,” I said. Vegas, I was cautioned by my “What are you talking about?” she Valley of TAlaskan friends and family. I asked. “You’ve been in the city too long. was coming to see a pretty girl named I’m taking you to the Valley of Fire for MC, who didn’t have a beard or smell a detox.” We drove beneath desiccated Fire detox like salmon. This, combined with the brown mountains, through canyons and When the city gets you down, fact she’d never killed a bear while over arroyos. Plastic bags rustled on there’s nothing like a natural pissing in the Yukon River, made my barbed wire fences as turkey vultures people nervous. One crusty old fisher- swung wide circles on the never-ending spectacle to remind you of what, um, man friend voiced his concerns. circuit of winds. We turned onto the Valley really matters … By Bjorn Dihle “You go to Vegas and the next thing of Fire Highway, rode through the Moapa

June 2015 26 DesertCompanion.com ILLUSTR ATION hernan valencia There was a solitary peace this place offered. meet fred, Could we solely market solitude? Maybe we 3x Cancer could buy a few acres nearby and set up a ticket booth and concession stand ... survivor

Paiute Indian Reservation, and climbed “This is what I wanted to show you,” undulating hills. A red-tail hawk feasted MC said. “It’s named after a Paiute Indian on a jackrabbit off the shoulder of the bandit who hid out here in the 1890s.” road. After we crested a rise, a Martian From the canyon’s shade, we stared up landscape of jagged bright red rocks ap- at the blue sky contrasting with red cliff peared beneath distant brown mountains. walls. MC pointed at an Anasazi petro- I’d never been to the Valley of Fire before, glyph containing three anthromorphs, and the static in my head quieted as I got one with two horns jutting from its head, lost in swirl of red geology, bighorn sheep, holding hands. The Anasazi people — their desert hawks and petrified logs. The name is a Navajo word meaning “ancestral place’s natural beauty and pristineness enemies” — seem to have disappeared brought to mind one thing and one thing at the beginning of the 1300s. Theories only: capitalistic venture. abound as to what happened. Migration “What if we started a cult here and and assimilation into other Pueblo groups, then had our followers build a casino drought, starvation, warfare and genocide and amusement park? We could blast are just a few. Most respected archaeolo- a bunch of tunnels through those gists agree they were probably extraterres- sandstone pillars — well, we should just trials who simply got in their spaceships SDMI Saved remove that mountain altogether. We’d and rolled on to a quieter planet. have to replace the bighorn sheep — For the first time in days I stopped we’ll need some sort of animal that will thinking about fast food, booze and my Life let children pet them and ride on their conspiracy theories. I lost myself in backs. I’m thinking elephants, but maybe thousand-year-old images of people just baby elephants. We could open a holding hands, bighorn sheep, antelope, #ONLYSDMI uranium mine on the side.” I was still lizards, serpents, rain, sun, anthropo- listing my plans when MC cut me off. morphs, hand-prints and a variety of “This is Nevada’s oldest state park. other depictions. One anthropomorph, Watch Fred’s inspirational Try to just enjoy it for what it is.” known famously as “mystical bat wom- She had a point. There was a solitary an,” was high on a cliff and looked like story on Facebook. peace this place offered. Could we solely an alien with wings. We spent the rest market solitude? Maybe we could buy of the day exploring the park until the Like us on Facebook a few acres nearby and set up a ticket basin began to darken. A spell of light and we will donate $1 to booth and concession stand where and rock blended together; I felt like a National Cancer Survivor’s people pay money to sit by themselves visitor to the cathedral of another world. in the desert and afterwards, have cock- We were in the presence of the Ancients, Day Foundation. tails? We could sell the experience as where it’s best to sit quiet. The potential the “Fire Detox.” How big do they make for economic growth was endless. /sdmilv billboards? Over time, with increased There was a sobering eeriness to the revenues, we could build a solitude- and starry night as we drove toward the nature-themed casino. A green casino. lights of Las Vegas. It was time to begin There’d be no talking, music or man- drawing up plans to market Fire Detox made noise — only a soft recording of before someone else stole my idea. I’d nature sounds in the background as folks employ aliens dressed like cocktail gamble at eco-friendly tables and slots, waitresses; all those kids who used to or do yoga in a recycled plastic jungle work for Kathie Lee Gifford could mine full of rescue monkeys. uranium. When I became rich I’d create We drove past the visitor’s center, up a a habitat and breeding program for cute giant red canyon to a parking lot leading baby animals. I went to sleep dreaming to a place called Mouse’s Tank. of the Nobel Peace Prize. #ONLYSDMI $1 donated per like donated up to $500

June 2015 DesertCompanion.com 27 essay

of the lowest-paying occupations in the state. Eight of the 10 biggest-growth jobs About those through 2022 are among the state’s lowest-paying. (Carpenters and construction laborers are the exceptions.) For three of exciting jobs those occupations, the “typical education needed for entry” is “high school degree or equivalent.” For the other seven, it’s “less of tomorrow than high school.” Though not in the top 10, other big- Many of them will still involve French fries By Hugh Jackson growth Nevada occupations include jani- tors, maids, security guards, office clerks, f you paid any attention to the Nevada The lion’s share of the jobs of tomorrow are, cashiers and bartenders — also jobs that re- Legislature this year — the policy part, well, pretty much the jobs of today. quire relatively little education and that are not the part about the weird woman Over the next several years, the top oc- typically (though not always) low-paying. with all the guns who thinks cancer cupation in Nevada, in terms of the num- The Brookings Institution’s Hamilton I is a fungus — you heard a fair amount ber of jobs created, will not be the design Project calculates that more than a third about the need to finally improve educa- and manufacture of energy-infrastruc- of Nevada workers are paid less than $12.38 tion so that Nevada’s youth will be pre- ture-transforming household power stor- an hour (150 percent of Nevada’s top-tier pared for the exciting jobs of tomorrow. age units at Tesla. Nor will it be tending minimum wage). Given the nature of most Great. I started tilting at the better-liv- servers at giant data centers, or creating of the jobs that will be created over the next ing-through-education windmill immedi- “innovative tech-based solutions.” several years, the portion of Nevada’s work- ately upon arriving in Nevada nearly 20 The occupation that will grow the most ers in low-paying jobs will only get bigger. years ago. Happy to see the establishment in Nevada through 2022, according to of- It’s no secret. Last month, DETR re- inertia that thwarted increased education ficial projections generated by the federal leased an updated analysis of the labor spending for so long is finally coming dis- Bureau of Labor Statistics and adopted by market through the end of 2017. Yes, the re- lodged. Better late than later. the Nevada Department of Employment, port singled out anticipated growth in man- But with so much focus on the most fash- Training and Rehabilitation (DETR), is ufacturing jobs due to the Tesla/Panasonic ionable policies of 1995, Nevada policymak- “combined food preparation and serving battery factory near Reno. But a closer look ers in business, education and every level of workers, including fast food.” at DETR’s analysis shows that the number government are ignoring a big, hairy fact: That is, according to DETR, also one of jobs merely added to the hospitality and

June 2015 28 DesertCompanion.com illustration brent holmes retail sectors between now and the end of 2017 will exceed the total number of manufacturing jobs in the state by then. No matter how many battery factories, or spaceships, or robots (to eat all the battery factory and spaceship jobs?) Elon Musk or anyone else builds in Nevada, at least a third and perhaps, in time, closer to half of all working Nevadans will be employed in jobs characterized by poor pay, few if any benefits and little opportunity for advancement. IT’S NOT JUST THE Your PAY, IT’S THE HOURS nd more and more of those jobs will Festival Experience be part-time. Many already are. The A Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates more than a fifth of Nevada employees are working part-time, some by choice, but a growing number because full-time work is unavailable. Retail in particular — Ne- vada’s second largest employer and one of the lowest-paying — is notorious for scheduling employees, including those who desperately want to work full-time, for only 15 or 20 hours a week, or less. Blaming the Affordable Care Act, by the way, is a red herring; the rising employer preference for part-time, disposable labor was documented long before anyone had ever heard of Barack Obama. The transition from regular, stable work schedules to precarious part-time, contract, temporary and freelance labor (you’re reading some now) is rife throughout the economy (Uber is a symptom of this, not a solution for it). And, pioneered by retail, what employers like to call “flexible” employment is especially prevalent in low-paying jobs that require little educational attain- ment — that is, Nevada’s jobs of tomorrow. Make no mistake, improving education in Nevada is the single best way to at - SCENERY tract and create high-paying, high-quality jobs in fields other than historical local mainstays such as the care and feeding of tourists, and building houses for people who make a living building houses. Education is a necessary prerequisite for any Nevadan hoping to land a non-resort, non-construction, high-quality, high-pay- CEDAR CITY ing job of the sort politicians and civic leaders are always promising. Again, it’s BARD.ORG | #utahshakes refreshing that at least some establish- 800-PLAYTIX

Photos, top to bottom: Cedar Breaks National Monument; and a scene from Henry IV Part One, 2014.

June 2015 DesertCompanion.com 29 essay TOP 10 BIGGEST GROWTH OCCUPATIONS IN NEVADA 20122022 1. COMBINED FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVERS, INCLUDING FAST FOOD 2. RETAIL SALESPERSON ment palms have gone to establishment 3. CARPENTERS foreheads on that score. 4. CONSTRUCTION LABORERS But no matter how many conferences and 5. WAITERS AMD WAITRESSES roundtables and summits are packed with 6. LABORERS AND FREIGHT, STOCK AND MATERIAL MOVERS upper middle-class professionals solemnly 7. GAMING DEALERS chanting “STEM,” the jobs in Nevada that 8. PERSONAL HOME CARE AIDES actually require training in science, tech- 9. CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES nology, engineering and math will be a tiny 10. COOKS, RESTAURANT fraction of the number of jobs created in retail, accommodation and food services, and clerical work. No matter how earnest the hope for a growing and more diversi- fied economy tomorrow, or how sincere the concern for the well-being of our precious snowflakes in the classroom today, we need IT NEEDS TO GET BETTER icule and stigmatize factory workers as to be honest about the type of careers many BEFORE IT GETS WORSE somehow unworthy. Factory workers were Nevadans are actually going to have when ur economy and society depend on not begrudged a living wage, a regular they grow up — jobs they’ll have not because the goods and services delivered by work schedule, overtime and holiday pay, of their laziness or personal failings or low O the people in those jobs. They are and health and retirement benefits. Politi- character or insufficient self-hoisting via to the 21st century what factory workers cians, media personalities and an almost bootstrap, but because those are the jobs were to the 20th. rabid contingent of the American public we are going to have. Except America generally didn’t rid- were not constantly demeaning factory

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June 2015 30 DesertCompanion.com workers for their perceived lack of effort or morals. The buzz on factory workers was that they worked hard, so they de- served a decent home, dependable trans- portation and the other accoutrements of a middle-class lifestyle. Factory workers were okay. This is part of why America is so nostalgic for manufacturing jobs, and why Nevada is so eager to attract them. Accommodation and food service workers work hard. So do retail sales - persons. So do people filling the other occupations that are projected to grow more than others in coming years — the actual jobs of tomorrow. Popular hostility to people in those jobs needs to stop, and not just because work and workers should be respected. Demeaning a third or more of the workforce only makes it all the less likely that the pay, conditions and quality of those jobs will ever improve. And that sucks for Nevada’s economy. If the jobs of tomorrow offer inflation-ad- justed pay and working conditions compa- rable to that offered today, a lot of working Nevadans will be exploited, often by out-of- state corporations, to create profits that will fly out of Nevada to enrich hedge funds and other wealthy out-of-state investors. Corpo- rations and their investors will continue to shift more costs to Nevada, for example, to cover health care for retail employers whose low incomes qualify them for Medicaid. And other Nevadans, especially small business owners, contracted service-providers and the self-employed, themselves frequently teetering on the financial precipice, will suffer because so many Nevadans working in the jobs of tomorrow won’t have enough money to buy what those other Nevadans celebrate with us all month long as we sip our way will be selling tomorrow. Solutions to all this aren’t shrouded in through some of the best margaritas mystery. Local wage and sick-pay ordi- in town nances, revising a federal tax code that re- in the july issue of distributes wealth from the bottom to the featured desert companion magazine top, protecting workers through regulations and empowering them through bargaining … economists, policy analysts, non-govern- .com mental organizations and grassroots com- more details at desertcompanion munity groups have identified numerous tangible measures to bring some sense, and some dignity, to a deliberately distorted and unfair labor “market” that serves no one well except some of the nation’s richest

June 2015 DesertCompanion.com 31 essay

investors. Policy is the easy part. Approval and implementation of policy is harder, because the status quo has been baked into our culture. In case you missed it, here’s the recipe: In a large sphere, pour politicians who don’t care about low-income workers, especially low-income workers who don’t vote; add politicians who might care but care about campaign contributions more (any remaining politicians can be discarded or, al- ternatively, julienned for decorative garnish). Your smart Stir in several heaping dollops of ideology about how the market and only the market may decide the value of work (almost always served with generous portions of aggressively wants to disparaging remarks about burdensome government regulations). Marinade in extremely rich (i.e., well-funded) anti-labor, pro-corporate propaganda. Top with an acquiescent, source-friendly media. Cook on high heat for party. four to five decades. Dish is done when retail workers are outraged because food-service workers want a raise. Note: Sure to delight executives in both the retail and food-service industries. A report on “The Future of Work in the States” produced by the Economic Policy Institute’s state-level Economic Analysis Research Network shows that low-wage, precarious occupations will lead job growth throughout the nation, not just in Nevada. But by the time the U.S. had trans - formed into a service economy, Nevada had already been there/done that for decades. More than most states, maybe more than any state, Nevada is now obliged to confront the future — and the present — realistically. Elected officials and policy leaders must acknowledge that improving education, while long overdue, will not in itself deter- mine Nevada’s prosperity, let alone whether prosperity will be shared. Respect for workers needs to be restored — and that includes among Nevada employees themselves, who need to reject the poisonous recipe deliberately concocted to pit them against each other. Nevada voters need to demand and support policies that will assure better pay, conditions and lives for the Nevadans who will be working in the real, actual jobs of tomorrow. And we need npr.vegas to start doing all that yesterday.

June 2015 32 DesertCompanion.com Custom luxury homesites. Designed by nature. Envisioned by you.

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career in the military. (Mathis says he actually joined the military hoping the en- dry ideas vironment of order and discipline would drum the desire to drink right out of him; In a hard-drinking, 24-hour town, a new form of a drug holds instead, he found that the hard-partying hope for recovering alcoholics By Andrew Kiraly atmosphere managed to thrive outside the rigorous schedules and drills.) But it wasn’t as though Mathis hadn’t tried to ric Mathis had the roommate from ally important homework assignment due get help. hell. This roommate was constant- the next day, but you have this really loud “I’ve been to 30-day detoxes, 12-step ly making noise, disrupting Mathis’ roommate. The roommate is that voice, programs, and when you’re there, you sleep, ruining his solitude, that addiction, that pull telling you feel awesome,” he says. “You feel, this is E screaming and shouting to drink,” he says. “You really can’t what I need. But as soon as you walk out at all hours. The roommate was Hear focus because it’s always there.” that door, that craving says, ‘Well, that was constantly urging Mathis: Come more Beer was Eric’s beverage of cool.’ It didn’t do anything for the physical on. Let’s party. Have a drink. Learn about choice. His way of unwinding after aspect. That’s the hardest. You can want The roommate lived inside the costs work was three or four 24-ounce (to quit drinking) all day, but that voice of painkiller Mathis’ head. addiction Bud Lights. His alcoholism marred never shuts up. Sometimes it’s all you can “When you’re an alcoholic, try- on “KNPR’s his college years, ruined his mar- hear until you satisfy it.” ing not to drink is like having a re- State of riage and jettisoned a promising When he discovered that there’s a med- Nevada” at d e s e rt companion. com/hear JUNE 2015 more 34 DesertCompanion.com Photography Aaron mayes NEVADA PUBLIC RADIO

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Sobering truth: Eric Mathis SUPPORT. says naltrexone Bid on incredible and unique packages, saved him from including: Dinner for Four with Chef a life of ication shown to help alcoholism. alcoholics kick drink- Rick Moonen, Pub Crawl with Desert ing for good, he leapt at Companion Editor Andrew Kiraly, the opportunity. As a client of Start Fresh Round-trip Flight on Southwest 2 Recovery, a drug and alcohol addiction Airlines…and more! BROWSE THE treatment center, Mathis began taking nal- CATALOG OF MORE trexone tablets March 11; three weeks later, THAN 2000 he replaced those with a slow-release nal- ITEMS trexone implant, surgically embedded just Start bidding in 1 below his beltline, that lasts from nine to 3 easy steps: REGISTER 12 months. He also receives life-coaching sessions to help him navigate the every- ONLINE day enticements of bars, parties and casual MORE INFORMATION AT 3 drinking. The Start Fresh premise: Chem- ically quashing alcohol cravings for up to KNPR.ORG PLACE YOUR a year gives people in recovery plenty of runway to get their lives together again, BID time to rewire their habits and recast their behaviors. Today, the roommate clamoring in Mathis’ mind: silenced.

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 35 HEALTH

buzz kill altrexone extinguishes the desire to drink,” explains the Las Vegas “N clinic’s Executive Director Bonnie Barnett. Called an opioid antagonist, naltrexone works by blocking the receptors in the brain that alcohol interacts with to make you feel intoxicated. The tablet has been used in treating alcoholism since the ’90s, but the implant form, developed in Australia, has only been available in the U.S. for about five years. Santa Ana, Ca- lif.-based company BioCorRx developed the Start Fresh program in 2010, coupling naltrexone implants with life coaching. As the website tells it, BioCorRx co-founder and President Neil Muller launched the treatment program after watching his then-fiancée Deidre struggle with alcoholism for 14 years. Individual Start Fresh Recovery clinics use the program, but are independently owned. Just as important as the pharmaceuti- cal technology, though, is what naltrexone’s adoption as a treatment for addiction says about the changing perception

of alcoholism. Fresh maker: Start Fresh Recovery's When Mathis told his Bonnie superiors in the Air Force when he told his superiors in the Air other words, Neva - Barnett that he had a drinking Force he had a drinking problem, he dans binge drink (i.e., was surprised how unenlightened the consume five or more drinks on a single problem, he was surprised response was. “I was told to suck it up,” occasion for men, four for women) with at their unenlightened he says. “You’re treated like you’re weak.” average frequency; but when we do binge response. "I was told to suck While in the military, he was finally ad- drink, we do it intensely, consuming mitted to a treatment program, which about seven drinks per occasion. it up," he says. "You're included a stint in inpatient rehab in But there are complications. Since Start treated like you're weak." Las Vegas. “They basically locked me up Fresh Recovery opened in Las Vegas in for 30 days. But they might as well have September, it’s taken on 16 clients. Part of picked me up in a beer truck as soon as that is because the naltrexone implant is “The growing popularity of medical-as- they dropped me off, because that craving relatively new — and relatively unproven. sisted therapy means maybe there’s a never went away.” While many clinical studies show oral nal- groundswell of understanding that the trexone can help reduce heavy drinking white-knuckle, behavioral approaches to 'i switched brains' and frequency of heavy drinking episodes, treating alcoholism — that look on it as a iven Las Vegas’ high profile as a 24- naltrexone implants are a different story. moral failing — don’t work,” says Barnett. hour party town, you’d think Start Given its relative newcomer status, there “It’s only in the last seven to 10 years that G Fresh Recovery would have problem isn’t much published research addressing we’ve really started talking about alcohol drinkers knocking down its door. As the whether it works. and drug abuse in terms of a disease mod- Strip goes, so goes Nevada: We like to That means the implant version of nal- el,” adds Paul Kapsar, director of patient drink. The Centers for Disease Control trexone isn’t yet approved by the FDA. care services. studies rank Nevada near the middle for And that, in turn, means insurers are Mathis certainly tried to cure his dis- prevalence of adult binge drinking, and reluctant to cover it. For instance, in a ease with a variety of methods. Even high for intensity of binge drinking. In policy bulletin, Aetna Insurance calls the

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implants “experimental and investiga- tional” because of “insufficient evidence 2015 in the peer-reviewed published medical literature of their safety and effectiveness.” And that means those seeking treatment have to pay out of pocket for the implant. It’s $15,500 for the course of treatment, $17,000 on a payment plan. Barnett cites internal, unpublished research that claims an 80 percent success rate of naltrexone implant users success- fully abstaining from alcohol, versus a 70 percent failure rate with naltrexone taken orally. Why the big difference? Alcoholics can forget to take their tablet — or skip it on purpose. “The implant is the answer to that,” says Barnett. “With the whole nine-month curve of coaching and behavior change, that habit has changed, and it has to change along with an absence of craving. The implant is so much more effective than any other method, and until somebody ponies up the time and money to put it up through FDA approval, it’s going to be expensive.” FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY JULY 17 JULY 31 OCTOBER 9 But if you ask Mathis, it’s a small price THRU THRU THRU to pay in exchange for rescuing years, re- SATURDAY SATURDAY SATURDAY lationships, careers from the whirlpool of JULY 18 AUGUST 1 OCTOBER 10 alcoholism. “It’s like an elephant getting off your chest. There’s no telling where I would have been in life had I found this You will see your You will see You will see choice of four plays: four plays: three plays: back when I first identified there being TAMING OF THE SHREW THEY’RE PLAYING CHARLEY’S AUNT a problem.” AMADEUS OUR SONG DRACULA While there aren’t yet a lot of stud - HENRY IV, PART TWO I’M NOT RAPPAPORT TWO GENTLEMEN ies about naltrexone implants, Mathis’ OF VERONA CHARLEY’S AUNT THE FOREIGNER personal story is compelling, and his SOUTH PACIFIC CHAPTER TWO passion about how the drug changed his life is palpable. Today he works in a local casino — and says he can walk past a casino bar or cocktail tray without so much as a second thought. And when he gets home after a long day, he unwinds in a dramatically different fashion than he used to. For more information or to “This is gonna sound weird, but every reserve your seats, please visit night after I get off work, I sit in my liv - ing room. I don’t do anything. I don’t knpr.org turn the TV on. I just sit and enjoy the silence. Because for 15 years, there was that voice, that unrest, that, ‘Go get your beer.’ Now it’s gone, and it’s so peaceful, so pleasant. It’s like I switched brains with somebody.”

JUNE 2015 38 DesertCompanion.com

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Well bread: Veal sweetbreads at StripSteak

THE DISH spring all summer The delicate, earthy flavors of the season take center stage in these fine-dining dishes By Mitchell Wilburn

ur spring may be short, but it’s proponents of rare produce, and dande- fried or seared piece, these are broken still as inspiring to the valley’s lion greens are one of the more unusual. into small nodules, roughly the size of fine dining chefs as it is to any Cooked down along with mustard greens the little ricotta cavatelli they’re plated poet or musician. More than any and chard, and then mixed with ricotta, with, giving each piece more surface O other culinary season, spring they fill handmade little “ravioli.” They’re area to volume. Also, they use morels, is heavily reliant on natural forces: A served in an aromatic dried Cara Cara or- the coveted spring mushroom, by in- dry winter may hobble mushroom har- ange peel butter and garnished with sor- fusing them into a cream sauce and vests, a wet March can cut leafy greens rel, making the dish not only incredibly making an emulsified foam. The mix- short, and this year was an especially satisfying and creamy, but an interesting ture of the creamy, earthy foam and the exceptional wait for any good tomatoes. balance between sweetness and the com- savory, silky sweetbreads are offset by The moral: Appreciate what you have. plex bitterness of the greens. The Palazzo, the fresh spring peas, snap peas and pea Here's how some very appreciative chefs 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. S., carnevino.com tendrils. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7200 are welcoming the season this year — with tastes you can enjoy well through Veal sweetbreads Seared New Bedford summer. StripSteak sea scallops with Chef Gerald Chin is always doing some - spring garlic Tortelloni thing interesting in the kitchen, and RM seafood Carnevino this dish has its share of surprises. Chef Rick Moonen is as much a champion Chef Nicole Brisson is one of the greatest Whereas most sweetbreads are a big of sustainable seafood as he is a creative,

JUNE 2015 42 DesertCompanion.com Photography SABIN ORR HOT PLATE Eat this now!

Chocolate fondant at Gelato Massimo 1980 Festival Plaza Drive, 702-832-1000, gelatomessina.com/us One of the Westside’s new sweet spots, Gelato Massimo has display cases Ocean of flavor: filled with shiny mounds of frozen concoctions ranging in flavor from cutting-edge chef. For Opposite, RM pistachio and pear-rhubarb to blood orange and vanilla. But it’s chocolate this dish, he sources Seafood's seared fondant that rules the Downtown Summerlin shop. This theobromine depth some of the best scal- sea scallops; above, charge is a triple-chocolate amalgam with a taste that’s the quintessence Guy Savoy's lops available, and sears of cacao. There’s a faint undertone of hazelnut in the mix, as well as a roasted Dover sole them lightly, plating whisper of spice (they won’t say which). Beyond this serotonin-releasing them with green garlic dessert, the gelateria has a cool mod design and a large window through purée, a creamy flavor that’s lighter than which you can watch its chilly offerings being made fresh. Greg Thilmont you expect. This goes along well with confit pork belly and fingerling potato hash, and a spring citrus salad. Mandalay Place, Athenian Burger rmseafood.com at The Great Greek 1275 W. Warm Springs Road, 702-547-2377, thegreatgreekgrill.com Whole roasted If Zeus had blown into Henderson from Olympus, he’d surely stop for a dover sole bite at the Great Greek. I’d like to think a famished god in a foreign land

o p her S mi t h might bypass the more authentic Greek food and try a little cross-cultural

Guy Savoy t Guy Savoy is always evolving, always exchange instead: the Athenian Burger. From America, a half-pound of just-pink-enough Angus; from Greece, tzaziki sauce and feta cheese. While

experimenting, drawing the best dishes : Chris it’s not nearly as exotic as, say, the manic pixie dream burgers concocted

from the best ingredients from around the an t at Bachi, the Athenian’s abundant mouth-feel — the graininess of the world. This dover sole combines some clas- on d beef thickened by the feta, with a brief afterparty of tzaziki —holds its sic techniques and motifs, but with a touch

t e F own. Tip: Make it a little Greece-ier with extra tzaziki; a half-pound of meat of haute cuisine. Plated with blanched baby

ola is a lot for one dollop of sauce to contend with. Scott Dickensheets white and green asparagus, passion fruit-

cooked spinach, and a few thin ribbons Cho c

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 43 Dining out

of “celtuce” (a Chinese lettuce heart that Chilled pea soup with season. There’s roasted leg in its own jus, tastes a bit like coconut and taro), the do- carrots a confit “bar” of belly, and milk-poached ver sole is topped with dots of a piquillo Le Cirque loin topped with pistachio and cardamom. pepper and piment d’espelette purée and Perhaps no other dish uses spring’s bounty All of this is with fresh English peas and a passion fruit/smoked butter sabayon. to its full potential like this one from Chef Anson Mills polenta, another unique and Caesars Palace, 702-731-7110 Wilfried Bergerhausen. This dish — argu- decadent dish from the minds behind ably the most delicious on the Le Cirque Sage. Aria, 877-230-2742 Roasted foie gras menu — is also completely vegan. It’s a Rose.Rabbit.Lie. nest of fried carrot strings and emulsified Springtime burrata For centuries, nothing has said “spring” carrot foam, with crispy fried mint leaves, Honey Salt quite like strawberries. California-based pea tendrils, popcorn shoots, watercress, Taking a page from Guy Savoy’s classic Harry’s Berries has become famous for a citrus vinaigrette, and all topped with a “Peas All Around,” the Honey Salt master- plump, picturesque berries, and these chilled English pea veloute. The result is a mind Brett Uniss changes it up by using a are paired with an equally beautiful symphony of fresh, earthy flavors. Bellagio, large piece of creamy burrata in the center, piece of seared foie gras and a slice of 702-693-8100 surrounded by English peas, pea tendrils fresh brioche. They’re garnished along- and snap peas, and a bit of preserved lem- side some early-season pickled green Durham ranch rabbit on and extra-virgin olive oil. One of the strawberries, a unique bite that gives just Sage simpler items on the menu, but also one enough acidity to really bring out the Spring greens aren’t the only delicious of the most satisfying. Creamy, rich bur- sweetness of the berries and the fatty things that emerge from the ground in rata and the freshness of peas go so well richness of the foie gras. The Cosmopoli- spring. The humble hare is another terrific together, this dish deserves to be a classic. tan, roserabbitlie.com example of the bounty of nature’s favorite 1031 S. Rampart Blvd., honeysalt.com

JUNE 2015 44 DesertCompanion.com

Dining out

at FIRST Bite Meatballs, meet modernism At Lago, Italian classics get a fresh makeover for the modern palate By Debbie Lee

grew up in a Sicilian enclave just edgeable (but never intimidating) ser- outside of the Bronx. It was a place vice made all three members of the table where manicotti outnumbered meat- kvetch about its rarity. Cocktails, while loaf on dinner tables and everyone’s expensive, are creative. Sip on a Sicil- I last name ended with a vowel. This ian gin and tonic while you get spritzed has had considerable influence on my from the fountains. Made with kaffir standards for a good Italian meal, my bias lime, Italian soda and blood orange leaning towards Americanized, home- pearls, your favorite college well drink spun food served in boat-sized vessels is much better in this grown-up form. and shared among convivial family mem- I was partially right about the small bers who, if cut, bleed gravy. (Where I’m plates — they possess none of the hearty from, you never called it sauce.) lustiness that I associate with Italian So when it was announced that chef cooking. However, some of them are Julian Serrano of Picasso would re- surprisingly lovely. A miniature round place Circo at the Bellagio with Lago, a of focaccia topped with shaved pork jowl modern Italian concept, my response and fava beans screams of springtime; I was tepid. Tourist-priced shared plates only wish the crumb on mine was a little served in shiny environs are anathema less dry. Of the four crudo (think Italian to working-class, garlic-flavored roots. sashimi) available, try the capasanta, or And, truth be told, it was hard to muster scallops. The sweet slices of flesh are any excitement when I’ve enhanced with blood orange segments, Lago never been wowed by Ser- Sicilian pistachios and a splash of mild In the Bellagio rano’s eponymous Spanish olive oil for a light and bright starter. 702-693-7111, restaurant at Aria. The only ho-hum pick is the insalata bellagio.com But a recent dinner there sarda. Slices of heirloom tomatoes and HOURS turned out to be one of the cucumbers, arranged like dainty tiles Sun, Mon, Wed, nicest meals I’ve had in four and showered with grated ricotta salata, Thu 5-11p years of living in Las Vegas. leans on the wrong side of minimalism. Tue, Fri, Sat 5p-12a Half of this was due to stra- (If a 5-year-old can make it in five min- tegic planning. I studied the utes, I’m not paying $14 for it.) weather report and chose a Serrano fares better with pastas. A pleasant day. A prime time proper linguine with clam sauce is a reservation was sacrificed for a weekday shameless thing: bursting with plump meal at 5 p.m. so my party could claim an seafood, oozing with oil, offending you outdoor table. I would recommend you do with its garlicky goodness. His version, the same — a front-row, lakeside view of made with house-made spaghetti chitar- the fountain show is priceless, but the in- ra, hits all of those marks. From the carne terior is hit-or-miss. The bright, ultramod- section, a shared plate of quaglia saltim- ern space reminds me of George Jetson’s bocca, or boned quail wrapped in pro- living room. sciutto and sage, is a creative alternative Anyway, an early dinner is a minor to the usual veal. The meat on this bird inconvenience for what Serrano’s team tends to dry quickly, but the addition of gives in return. Outstanding and knowl- pork keeps it moist.

JUNE 2015 46 DesertCompanion.com Photography Elizabeth BueHring R

R POWER LUNCH NOW AVAILABLE DAILY! ∙ 11 AM TO 2 PM

Choose 2 items from a select menu of Soups, Salads & Wood red Pizzas — FOR JUST $10!* Getting fresh: *Tax & gratuity not included. No substitutions. Cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. Above, Lago's scallop crudo; FLAMINGO • WEST SAHARA • SOUTH RAINBOW • GREEN VALLEY PARKWAY left, linguine with The rest of the clam sauce; below, sammyspizza.com panna cotta with menu is equally di- passion fruit sorbet verse. Handmade gnocchi with lob- ster knuckles will appeal to the gour- mand, while meatballs and Italian sau- sage skewers will satisfy the guy who wants to eat like a Goodfella. For those who consider pizza taste-testing a fond pastime, Serrano has three to choose from: margherita, zucchini/provolone and speck with cipolline onions. Visitors will explore the Age of the Dinosaurs! For dessert, expect well-executed and Travel back in time to when dinosaurs last roamed the land at DISCOVERY Children’s visually stunning takes on familiar clas- Museum traveling exhibit, Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice™. As visitors move through sics. A wobbly panna cotta flecked with the exhibit, they encounter unfamiliar landscapes, touchable dinosaurs of all shapes heady vanilla bean seeds is matched with and sizes including a Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. This exhibit builds on the refreshing citrus segments and a sweet- popular fascination with dinosaurs and includes science activities to challenge all ages tart passion fruit sorbet. And the giadu- and opportunities to investigate clues about what dinosaurs left behind. jotto, which will appeal to Nutella addicts, is a study in textures and temperatures May 30 – Sept. 13 that every pastry chef should strive to achieve. Decadent chocolate and hazel- OFF* nut mousse gives way to a crunchy biscuit 20% Daily Admission Tickets base; a spoonful of hazelnut ice cream with each bite completely sets it off. Lago may not have provoked a rush of nostalgia, but it also didn’t disappoint. In fact, I’m grateful that I ate there when I did, because I suspect my future requests for a fountain-side table will be met with a “fuhgeddaboudit.” DiscoveryKidsLV.org

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JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 47 EPW&FAMILY PRIMARY LOGO 3”

Together, we can bag childhood hunger. With our sincere gratitude to our sponsors and supporters Together we can ...

Diane and Robert Bigelow Jill and Frank Fertitta, III Teresa and Lorenzo Fertitta CORPORATE SPONSORS Cash America SuperPawn Nevada State Bank Neiman Marcus Dunkin Donuts & Baskin Robbins Northern Trust The Grainger Foundation Community Foundation Thank you HONORARY EVENT COMMITTEE Diana Bennett Doris and Ted Lee Lindsey and Mike Slanker Mrs. Richard Crawford (Jeri) Richard and Claire MacDonald Ed and Shauna Smith Gary Goett Audrey and Larry Plotkin Carolynn Towbin for helping us put a stop William Hornbuckle Ted and Maria Quirk Jesika Towbin Mansour Nancy Houssels Mario and Francine Sanchez Elaine Wynn Stephen and Bart Jones Families Michael Shulman to childhood hunger. SUPPORTERS Abbie Friedman Janie and Jeff Gale Ronn Nicolli Allen Family Foundation Jean McCusker Shulman Family Foundation Amy Rossetti Law Offices of Daniel Simon Tariq and Griselle Shaukat Audrey and Larry Plotkin Leor Yerushalmi Tax Law Center Avalanche Canyon Foundation MacDonald Center for the Arts & Humanities The Firm Public Relations & Marketing Together, we raised $2 Million Bank of America Mayors Carolyn and Oscar Goodman The Friedmutter Group Brian and Angel Nettles Meadows Bank Tom and Paula McCartney which will provide 6 million meals to Edwin Skonicki Michael Yackira Tutor Perini Building Company Elizabeth Kaplan MidCountry Bank US Trust hungry children in Southern Nevada. Faith & James Knight Foundation Olympia Management Services William and Shannon McBeath Five Together Foundation Rachel Shiffrin Yaron Barami Fletcher Jones Management Group Ritter Charitable Trust Zappos.com, Inc. Gloria and Mark Fine Family Foundation Robin Greenspun To learn how you can get involved, visit: WITH SPECIAL THANKS BagChildHunger.org Al Powers Photography Foxtail Floral Neiman Marcus Arthouse Design Studio Geary Company Advertising Paragon Gaming 702-644-FOOD (3663) Artisanal Foods Gimme Some Sugar Phil Hernandez Big Picture Studios Herve Leger Pictographics Blue Ribbon Sushi Hexx Chocolate Production Resource Group Brenda Decker Izzy Haring Proof Interactive Buddy V’s Ristorante Joe Coomber Punam Mathur Cherie Flannigan Katie Farrell Coughlin RSVP Party Rentals David Steen Kayla Agnello Sage Tech Destinations by Design Kim Canteenwalla Sandi Wheeler Donn Jersey Las Vegas Color Graphics Scott Menke Eileen Cox Las Vegas Parking SW Steakhouse Elizabeth Blau Mayweather Productions The Firm Public Relations & Marketing Floyd Mayweather Nancy Nichols Yale Rowe

Three Square is grateful for every individual who contributed to the Bag Childhood Hunger campaign. The above listed donated $1,000 or more prior to going to print. We make all efforts to ensure accuracy; however, errors do occur. Please contact our donor relations department at 702-644-3663 to report corrections. EPW&FAMILY PRIMARY LOGO 3”

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... and THE WINNERS are ...

JUNE 2015 50 DesertCompanion.com ABLE HONORMENTION

Opposite page: (Left to right, Top to bottom) Jeff Scheid artistic/Abstract professional Christiana Houck Altered Images Amateur/student Andy Grajeda Nevada at work/play Amateur/student Mike Wetzel Landscape/Nature Amateur/student Richard-Paul Rider Places/Architecture Amateur/student Kevin Miller Landscape/Nature Semi-professional Michael Marschner Altered Images Amateur/student

THis page: (Left to right, Top to bottom) Allan DuffL andscape/Nature Amateur/student Scott Warner Landscape/Nature professional Sandy Dorau Places/Architecture Amateur/student Ivan Carrillo Places/Architecture Semi-professional Martina Zandonella In the moment Semi-Professional Arnold Despi Artistic/abstract Amateur/student Martin Dunaway artistic/Abstract professional Matthew Carter in the moment professional Kirstie McGuinness in the moment Amateur/student

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 51 3rd annual FOCUS ON NEVADA photo contest

ARTISTIC ST 01Place Timothy Salaz Semi-professional

Camera: Canon 5d MKIII Lens: Canon 24 1.4 ii L ISO: 100 Shutter: 1/60 Aperture: f/8

ARTISTIC ND 02Place Terri Hunt Amateur/Student

Camera: Nikon, point and shoot

JUDGES Ryan Reason Photographer Aya Louisa McDonald Art history professor, UNLV Heidi Kyser Desert Companion staff writer

JUNE 2015 52 DesertCompanion.com Nevada at work/play ST 01Place Miguel Villegas Amateur/Student

Camera: Nikon D7000 Lens: nikkor 35mm f/1.8G ISO: 400 Shutter: 1/60 Aperture: f/4

Nevada at work/play ND 02Place Skylar Stephens professional

Camera: Nikon D610 Lens: nikkor 70-200mm F/2.8 ISO: 400 Shutter: 1/4000 Aperture: f/5.6

JUDGES Michael Herb Commercial photographer Mark Andrews Chief marketer, Clark County Credit Union Brent Holmes Desert Companion designer

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 53 3rd annual FOCUS ON NEVADA photo contest

Landscape/Nature ST 01Place Scott Warner professional

Camera: Nikon D800 Lens: Nikkor 24-70mm ISO: 125 Shutter: 1/80 Aperture: f/11

Landscape/Nature ND 02Place Justin Dworak Amateur/STudent

Camera: Nikon D3100 Lens: Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 ISO: 1000 Shutter: 1/8 Aperture: f/8

JUDGES Sabin Orr Photographer Becky Spencer Designer, Studio 21 Tattoo Brian Henry Brian Henry Design Scott Lien Desert Companion senior designer

JUNE 2015 54 DesertCompanion.com PLACES/Architecture ST 01Place Glenn Elliott Amateur/STudent

Camera: Pentax K-01 Lens: 21 mm F3.2 ISO: 200 Shutter: 1/1250 Aperture: f/8

PLACES/Architecture ND 02Place christian rodriguez Semi-professional

Camera: Nikon D5000 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm ISO: 400 Shutter: 1.3 Seconds JUDGES Aperture: f/9 Jerry Metellus Photographer Erick Sanchez President, GDC Construction ChrisTopher Smith Desert Companion art director

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 55 3rd annual FOCUS ON NEVADA photo contest

IN THE MOMENT JUDGES ST Warwick Stone Hard Rock Hotel curator Place Shannon McMackin Gallerist 01 Andrew Kiraly Desert Companion editor Isaac Davis Amateur/student

Camera: Nikon D5200 Lens: NikKOR 18-55mm ISO: 125 Shutter: 20 seconds Aperture: f/10

IN THE MOMENT ND 02Place Willam Mark Sommer professional

Camera: Nikon D7000 Lens: Nikkor 18mm ISO: 1600 Shutter: Bulb Aperture: f/4.5 JUDGES Todd VonBastiaans Alios lighting design Chris Brown Art director, Robertson + Partners Scott Dickensheets Desert Companion deputy editor

JUNE 2015 56 DesertCompanion.com Altered Images ST 01Place Jason Hekkert Amateur/student

Camera: Nikon D3200 Lens: Tamron 18-270mm

ALtered Images ND 02Place Chadwick Pope Amateur/student

Camera: Canon 5D MkII Lens: EF 24-105mm F/4.0L ISO: 50 Shutter: 1/667 Aperture: f/7

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 57 3rd annual FOCUS ON NEVADA photo contest

JUNE 2015 58 DesertCompanion.com GRANDPRIZE Isaac Davis amatEur/Student

Camera: Nikon D5200 Lens: NikKOR 18-55mm ISO: 400 Shutter: 10 seconds Aperture: f/5.6

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 59 RANGE ROVER SPORT: STRENGTH IS NOTHING WITHOUT CONTROL. Range Rover Sport; the most agile, dynamic and responsive Land Rover. Born from a relentless drive to create a contemporary yet authentic design, its streamlined front elevation and rearward sloping grille gives the vehicle immense road presence. With seductive flowing lines and styling, the sophisticated design of the vehicle is conveyed without compromising its character. To experience the Range Rover Sport for yourself, visit Land Rover Las Vegas for a test drive today.

Jaguar Land Rover Reno 9150 S. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89511 888.727.6831 www.jlrreno.com How I got the shot Seasoned photographers share the stories behind memorable shoots — the how, the why and what happened next

Zarkana percussionist Bill Hughes, freelance photographer

When I first met Zarkana percussionist Aaron Guidry for the “before” photo for this shot, he kind of reminded me of the lead singer from Nada Surf during the classroom sequence in the “Popular” video. When I saw him after a half-hour’s worth of makeup, hair and costuming, the change was so striking that I almost asked him if he’d seen Aaron Guidry. As for the shoot, I initially planned to have a couple of sticks flying through the air, but he had a bunch of them, so a bunch of them we used. On the initial toss, the sticks went up in one mass, which completely covered his face, defeating the purpose of the whole before and after comparison, so I thought about it and figured that if he pulled his hands apart in a certain way and at a certain speed we just might be able to get the effect you see here. I think it took about seven or eight tosses to get the whole thing right. We actually spent more time picking up sticks after each toss than we did shooting. As you can probably tell, we both had a lot of fun. He was a real trouper.

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 61 How I got the shot

“East Side Super Moon” Ginger Bruner, Our Las Vegas photography project lead photographer, associate producer

Wonky stuff: I’d recently bought a new SLR, the Olympus OM-D E-M5, from their new micro 4/3 platform. I’d been in the market for a new SLR, and tested numerous lines of cameras, but wasn’t happy. Then my friend Brian Henry, a wonderful lighting designer and artist, told me about the Olympus, and let me try his out. It was exactly what I needed. As a bonus, it had traditional film-camera styling, and looked almost exactly like my first film camera, the venerable Olympus OM2. What a delicious throwback! I have a long-standing love of neon and sky — and photographing them — so the super moon was like a beacon calling me out to shoot. The Eastside Cannery has some really great architectural lighting elements designed by Brian Henry (fittingly, the guy who turned me on to my camera) and the juxtaposition of the moon, clouds, and neon color were just overwhelming. Needless to say, it was like shooting fish in a barrel, so many great images came of those moments. This image was made on July 25, 2013, during the super moon.

“Randy,” from the series Just Breathe Linda Alterwitz, fine art photographer

Traveling to the Dominican Republic a couple years ago, my husband David and I were so impressed by the beautiful night sky and ocean. In an attempt to capture the beauty of the moment, I used the only tools I had, my digital camera attached to an insufficient tripod. I placed the 6-inch plastic tripod in the sand for a 10-second exposure. It failed. The camera sunk into the sand and started to topple over backward, with my lens then pointing up to the sky. It captured something unexpected — the movement of the stars in the sky. This launched the new series — Just Breathe. The subjects lay on the ground with a camera on their chest for a long exposure. The movement of their breathing creates a distinct (and somewhat primitive) pattern of the stars on the sensor of my camera. Randy, a musician, lives in Calico Basin, so we took his “star portrait” on his back porch, which overlooks the Red Rock mountains from about two stories high. It was a night with low ambient light — no moon. That’s really important if I want the sensor to capture as much starlight as possible. Part of my process is to collect the GPS location where each star portrait was taken, then record each participant’s words about the experience. But that night was so cold I completely forgot to ask Randy about that. Howev- er, he did talk about his music, and, in all actuality, that may have been more appropriate of a response.

JUNE 2015 62 DesertCompanion.com “Leaving Behinds” Jeff Scheid, photographer, Review-Journal

“No Ifs, Ands, or Butts” — it’s probably one of the most photographed set of derrières in the world. The shapely bronze statue exposes the backsides of dancers from the “Crazy Girls” burlesque show. One of the longest running shows on the Las Vegas Strip, “Crazy Girls” was recently forced out of its cozy confines shortly before its host, the Riviera, closed on May 4. Just hours before the closing of the 60-year-old hotel, I was there when workmen showed up to dismantle the famous statue that had been located at the front entrance of the casino since being unveiled in 1997. The crew of nearly a dozen men struggled with the awkwardly shaped weight and were unsure if it was appropriate to place their hands in areas usually off-limits. While the burly men were laboring with the 600-pound, life-size beauties, one jokester yelled out: “You guys don’t know how to handle a woman!” The object of admiration was loaded on a flatbed trailer and driven off — but not away. The statue will reappear soon at the “Crazy Girl” show’s new location, the Planet Hollywood Resort.

“Big Tiny Town” Nancy Good, multimedia artist

Though many people look upon Las Vegas as a big city, based on her footprint and population, I’ve always been more tuned into its small-town feel of community. Throughout this beautiful, mountain-flanked bowl, we have small neighborhoods filled with people who look out for each other. Wanting to convey the “smallness” of close community, I chose to use a Lensbaby tilt-shift-type lens and shot this image from my back porch (10 miles from the Strip). Using the lens in this way and from this distance, Vegas is wrapped in an illusion of tidy petiteness that her iconic, larger-than-life presence usually belies. Further, con- verting her gaudy colors to black-and-white, Vegas is wrapped in a blanket of soft calm. As a photographer and mixed-media artist, there always exists within me a desire to find creative ways to express what I see and feel, and this often means finding and utilizing new tools. I also love the wonderful surprises that come through fearless experimentation.

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 63 How I got the shot

JUNE 2015 64 DesertCompanion.com “The Next Level” Michael Herb, commercial photographer

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, this photograph made up of over 200 images would result in a healthy-sized novel. It took five separate photo shoots and more than 40 hours of Photoshop editing to complete this image inspired by comic book superheroes. To stay focused and organized, I work from the background forward. The background for this image was shot on the bridge in front of New York-New York hotel-casino. (I’d walk around and snap shots of textures while getting teased by people on the street: “Hey, you should try backing up a bit.” I’d smile and nod as if they had any clue on what I had planned!) Once finished with the background, I shot with Las Vegas local Justin Current, the guy bursting into water. It was a cool 65-degree night when I shot the base images of Justin. Shirtless and dry, it was a bit chilly. Add bucket after bucket of hose water, and it’s safe to say chilly doesn’t even come close to describing the feeling. Justin was a sport and took bucket after bucket of water to the body and face. The fire demons in the middle and background are played by Joyce Chanel, who never backs down from getting photographed in less than flattering poses. I was more than pleased with the outcome. I had created the image I had set out to create, and it looked every bit as cool as it did in my head one week prior.

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 65 How I got the shot

JUNE 2015 66 DesertCompanion.com “Abandoned Brothel, 2014” Marshall Scheuttle, fine art photographer

One weekend while traversing central Nevada ghost towns, I came upon an abandoned brothel south of Tonopah. When I tracked down the temporary overseer of the parcel, it was agreed that I could enter the confines as long as I caused no trouble. One mid-day in May I slink through the chain-link fence. It’s clear the structure has been overtaken by squatters and tweakers. Entering, I was greeted by a jacuzzi full of broken glass and apocalyptic graffiti emblazoning the walls. I realize that in order to photograph with my 8 x 10 view camera, I will need to be under my dark cloth for minutes at a time, unable to see my surroundings, and therefore Untitled vulnerable. So I unsheathe my Bryan McCormick, KA-BAR knife and go room to Vegas Vernacular photography project room, opening doors and preparing for a bloody mess or Quite by chance last summer, I picked up a very a half-naked hell-child clawing special and rare type of Polaroid 600 camera. It at me with strung-out limbs. As was, through a magic toggle switch on the side, able I turn one corner, knife drawn to make multiple exposures on a single piece of and heart racing, I see, from the Impossible 600 film. I made a single test shot one edge of my eye, a figure across night, which involved a window setup at the the hall. I drop my tripod, raise now-defunct Resnick’s. It was of the pig in the my blade and cry out a window, and the tree right behind me. When the pleasantry along the lines of two were combined, it was a hint of magic “&%#&*!” It’s my own reflection possibilities. in a broken mirror. I wanted to make more accidents, to use the Finally, after making a few camera as a way of “directed randomness.” Without images, I come across a room being conscious of it, one develops a quick visual with a stained mattress and the memory of each frame one shoots. I wanted to see cover of a pulp romance novel what would happen if I could capture each of those on the bed. Water of Life, the and toss in a little serendipity to keep myself from title reads. I set up my camera directing the outcome. After all, I could do that in and sit until the sun begins to Photoshop. This was to be more a record of my kiss the edge of this beautiful experience shooting, capturing traces of discrete still life. Done, I pack and slowly moments in time and space. exit, making sure not to alarm One night at Atomic Liquors, I shot two packs in any dwellers returning from short order. This one was my favorite of the group. whatever one would do 20 By moving around the main sign at angles to it and miles south of all hope lost. To a varying distances, I was trying to capture in 2D this day, I’m not sure I’ve ever something of the 3D/4D experience of it. The way stumbled onto something as certain elements come together in the conflicting tragically beautiful as that novel planes, the out-of-focus elements highlighted by in that room. brighter, sharper ones, just “worked” for me.

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 67 WE JUST HAD TO ASK

Some were reaching for the brass ring. Others were running for their lives. Whatever reason they came here, these Las Vegans from around the globe have fascinating origin stories

photography CHRISTOPHER SMITH

JUNE 2015 68 DesertCompanion.com Lost and found group of a thousand or more. You would You had 48 hours to get ready, but you in Las Vegas walk all day, and at night catch up on were ready to go anytime, because we your sleep. You’re just worried about didn’t have anything to bring with us. Biar Atem keeping up with the group, not knowing It was my first time on a plane, actu- Assistant manager of in-suite where you’re going, getting scared and ally. We left the camp to Nairobi, then to then thinking about your family being Brussels, to New York to St. Louis. We dining, Venetian/Palazzo left behind. arrived in Las Vegas around 10:30. It was We would eat whatever we could crazy getting to see the light of Las Vegas find, mostly antelope, fish and then wild for the first time. The only reliable light fruits. I remember some villages where we had in the camp was just the daylight we would have to sell our clothes to get and the moonlight, so you had to get your t’s said that Las Vegas is a city of second food from them. What you normally do homework done during the day. chances. Biar Atem, a food and bever- at night, people take turns and act as a se- He arrived in April 2001 at age 21. His I age manager at the Venetian/Palazzo, curity guard in case something is coming. first job was as a janitor at the Venetian, is dramatic proof of that adage. At age 7, Because hyenas or lions would come and where his 6-foot, 7-inch stature made him he fled his rural home in South Sudan as grab young kids and run away with them. the guy who’d dust the chandeliers. He fighter jets bombed the nearby village. The Barefoot, he made the nearly month-long climbed the ladder fast, ultimately earning long-brewing civil war between the Arabic journey to a refugee camp in Ethiopia. Af- an MBA. Today he’s the assistant manager north and African south had come to his ter three years there, the Sudanese refugees of in-suite dining at the Venetian/Palazzo. family’s doorstep: were ejected by the Ethiopian government. He’s also raising an infant son with his If you didn’t leave the country as a young They left for Kenya, where Atem spent an- wife and has launched the nonprofit South man, chances are you’re going to be a child other nine years living in Kakuma refugee Sudan Center of America to help other soldier or be killed by the Arabs. They don’t camp, a U.N.-supported site with schools Lost Boys displaced by the war. care about the age. If you’re taller than and a steady food supply. With the assistance I’m almost at a point where it felt like a an AK-47, chances are you’re going to get of Catholic Charities, he eventually qualified dream. Am I really living this kind of life adapted to become a child soldier. for refugee status. On the relocation roster, compared to what I used to go through at (The refugee caravan was) people one day he saw the name of a strange city camp? When I came to Las Vegas, I had a from different villages, it just kept get- next to his name. sweatshirt and pants. Now I have a house, ting larger and larger, it was at least a When I saw my name, I was like wow. ... the degrees, the job with a Fortune 500 company, the family. Life can change so fast. I appreciate all the opportunities given to me. Being here, I feel like I have too much in this country and I feel the need to give back. — Andrew Kiraly

Discovering the art of freedom Ali Fathollahi & Nanda Sharifpour Artists

hey want to censor everything over there,” Nanda Sharifpour says of her “T native country, Iran. For an artist — and the daughter of a prominent philosophy professor — Iran’s climate of theocratic control and government suspicion made it inevitable that she and her husband, Ali Fathollahi, also an artist, would join the exodus out:

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 69 NOW ARRIVING

so we started walking. I remember that we had our backpacks on our backs, water and some food, and we were searching for hours. We ended up meeting (artist) Alex Huerta at Arts Factory. He opened up his heart and his knowledge to help us. He gave us more information: Go to this place, meet this person … Ali: Go to Blackbird Stu- dios, find Gina (Quaranto, Blackbird’s operator) … Nanda: He gave us our first show in his studio. A month after that, we had a show at Blackbird, and everything rolled after that one. That show found them rev- eling in their newfound freedom. Ali: The first show in Blackbird Studios, I had most of my pieces based on the political problems in my country. I know it wasn’t good for Nanda: Because of the social and from zero, again. We brought very little a show in the U.S., I don’t know, but it political unrest in 2008, 2009, lots of with us (to Las Vegas). happened. people had to leave our country and Ali: Because we spent all of our sav- Nanda: You had to express yourself. go to other countries, either as an im - ings in Turkey for three years. Ali: Exactly. Because I was free. I was migrant or refugee. Indirect pressure Nanda: You have no right to work. really free: Okay, let’s do this. is on everyone’s shoulders over there; Ali: Exactly. Nothing. We were trying Las Vegas, with its melting-pot mix of you can never feel like super-comfort- to have shows and exhibitions, but we cultures, languages and cuisines, reminds able. You don’t have freedom of speech, only got one, in Istanbul, and that’s it, in them of the crossroads feel of Tehran. Not you don’t have freedom of the way you three years. You have to spend your time surprisingly, they still miss aspects of their think. We had the (direct) pressure of and your money. And everything for you, native country, especially the small things being art professors not only teaching as a refugee, is more expensive than for … art but also philosophy of life — the the normal citizens. Nanda: … like the smell of weather af- philosophy behind your art, whatever Nanda: You have no rights. ter the rain ... you think that makes you create some - Ali: You don’t have any idea what it’s Ali: The taste of the tea in the after- thing different, to express yourself, to like. noon … express your pressures that you have In 2012, Fathollahi and Sharifpour were Nanda: … talking to friends. Of course, in your society through your art. These finally allowed to come to America be- not the bad things, like the authorities. are the things that some governments cause she had relatives in California. The … but they seem genuinely content here. do not like. couple heard about the lower cost of living Nanda: We may want to work in oth- So in 2009, they fled to Turkey. “That’s in Nevada, and a friend suggested Las er states, but for living? I feel safe here, one of the only countries you can travel Vegas, where they set about getting their and I don’t want to put my foot out of to without a visa, for Persian people,” Ali bearings. the safe zone. We were in chaotic situa - says. “There are only two or three counties Nanda: We started to seek out and tions for a very long time. And after ar - that will let you in, and Turkey is the clos- search around — riving here, I feel like I’ve come out of est one.” Ali: Walking around in the hot sum- a battle. I want to take a break and just Nanda: We stayed there for three mer — be with my art and people that I love. I years, trying to get the refugee status Nanda: — in the art community, the don’t know where the future takes us, approved and get the permission to go to 18B. We had no idea. We just knew there but here, in Vegas, with these people, another country and start our lives over, was something, some galleries around, it’s good. — Scott Dickensheets

JUNE 2015 70 DesertCompanion.com A home for everyone mountains, a beautiful son, but I felt like it Perseverance, luck and one $8 was not enough. I searched my head and job after another heart, and I decided to move to Las Vegas. Beli Andaluz My sister lived here and she had a lot of Owner, Pico Madama property Downtown that she had sold to Mike Smith Tony Hsieh. Editorial cartoonist, Before Long, Seidewitz left New York Las Vegas Sun to join Andaluz in Las Vegas. But even eli Andaluz, the youngest of 10 chil- after building a successful salon business dren, remembers little about her here, she still felt something was missing. B childhood in Guatemala — her mother One evening after a charity gala, Seide- never stayed anyplace for long. But Anda- witz suggested to his wife that she explore ike Smith began his journey to Ve- luz applied herself as a student, and that philanthropy. gas in 1982, during his senior year at helped her find her own stability: I wanted to support the community, I M Loyola-Marymount University in Los I went to boarding school in Quet- think, just because I once had so little. Angeles, though finally getting here would zaltenango, and when I was 17 I did We were very poor, and now that I can require the help of a major figure in Nevada an internship at a real estate office. I give, it feels nice. I go to Shade Tree, and history. We pick up Smith’s story after the started as an apprentice, but my boss - I think, “Oh my gosh, I could be one of inveterate doodler had begun drawing edito- es could see that I took things very se - these women.” I joined the board about rial cartoons for the campus paper and had a riously, so they put a lot of faith in me. 10 months ago, and now I’m the second life-changing realization: Soon, I was showing and selling houses. vice chair. Last year, in November, it was Once I saw how much trouble I was get- I put some money together and moved their 25th anniversary, and they weren’t ting into, I thought, Wow, this is a lot of fun! to Antigua. … I got a job as a bartender planning a celebration. I thought I could People get mad, they’re talking about what there, and a week later, I was the man - do something, even though I only had you have to say. I need to try to do this for ager. A few months later, I heard from three weeks. So, I bought out Vintner a living. So I started sending cartoons to the owners of the hostel where my ex, Grill, invited all my friends and clients, newspapers across the country, asking edi- Felix, and I were staying that hostels and they invited all theirs, and we raised tors to give me a job. For a while I had a box were opening in Nicaragua because $55,000. People said it would be hard, of rejection letters. I could’ve wallpapered tourists were starting to go there. So, but everybody helped me. When you do a room with them. If you’re going to be an we bought a car and drove to Nicara - good, good comes back to you, and you artist, you learn to have a thick skin. gua. And they were right! Our business have to keep it going. — Heidi Kyser I had a film noir class, and one of the was so successful that we sold it films we studied was One From the in two years for three times as Heart, the Francis Ford Coppola film much money as we put into it. about Las Vegas. I was intrigued by it, She and Felix moved back to and I thought, I need to send letters to Antigua and opened an Internet the papers in Las Vegas. So I sent letters café. After a bad haircut, Andaluz to Mary Hausch at the Review-Jour- complained to a friend, whose un- nal and to Hank Greenspun at the Sun. cle happened to be an accomplished I got a very nice rejection letter from Guatemalan stylist. He gave the Mary Hausch. A few days later, some- young women private lessons, once one from the campus newspaper ran again spurring Andaluz’s entrepre- up to me and said, “Some guy from the neurial spirit. Las Vegas Sun is trying to reach you. He was a tough teacher. We He said his name is Mike O’Callaghan, didn’t train on mannequins, just and you need to call him immediately.” real people. And he would let us Arguably among the state’s greatest make mistakes so that we could governors, O’Callaghan had taken a learn from them. He was aggres- post-gubernatorial position as the Sun’s sive, but I lost all my inhibitions executive editor. He made Smith a deal: when it comes to explaining “I’ll pay you eight bucks for each cartoon things to clients. After about six I print.” Smith agreed. months, I bought a salon where I thought, I need to milk this for all I could practice before opening it’s worth, and I started drawing a my own big, beautiful spa, Skin cartoon every day and sending it off Deep. … That’s where I met (my to Mike O’Callaghan. And he kept husband) Scott (Seidewitz). I had running the cartoons. At one point everything: a hair salon and spa,, I figured, I need to go see Mike. By an Internet café, a house in the this time I had graduated from col-

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 71 NOW ARRIVING

lege. I got a job working for National Car Helping others is in again for the rest of my life.” So, I told my Rental at LAX, working the night shift. her bl ood mom I would like to go to medical school. I’d draw cartoons in the morning, send She was upset about that choice, because ’em to O’Callaghan, pump gas at night. Beata your salary as a doctor in a country with So I called up Mike, and I made up this socialized medicine was terribly low. story about how I was driving through Kwiatkowska Several years later, on a medical school Vegas and would like to see him, and he vacation to Scotland, Kwiatkowska fell for said, Yeah, sure, come on out. So I got my Physician and lab director an Argentine doctor, who eventually mar- free rental car and drove to Las Vegas. I ried her and took her to his home country. ended up spending the whole day with Cue an exuberant intermezzo. him, finishing up with a steak dinner at I loved Buenos Aires. I didn’t speak his house. So we kind of hit it off. he first movement in Beata Kwiatkow- any Spanish at that time, but I very much Still, the Sun wasn’t hiring. After a year ska’s three-part life symphony sounds liked my ex-husband’s family. They were of pumping gas and drawing $8 cartoons, T sunny and hopeful. Born on a mid-cen- Jewish, very warm, and received me well. Smith decided he needed a real job. About tury June day in Warsaw to a lawyer moth- A military junta was in power there at then he was offered a position in Hertz’s er and civil engineer father, the fair child that time, the end of Peron’s period. … For management-training program. was groomed for great things: me, this was worse than living in a com- I called O’Callaghan and said I had In high school, I was thinking about munist country. In front of the Casa Ro- this job offer from Hertz, and I think I’m art. Art conservation is a very important sada (presidential palace), I saw women gonna take it. And Mike said, “You tell and popular profession in Poland. Then, who had lost children putting on white Hertz to stick it up their ass! You’re too when I was 17, I had a boyfriend, Andrew, scarves and demonstrating. To me, this talented to be doing that.” And the next who was invited for a family dinner. Af- was shocking and very, very sad. But the day the Sun hired me. ter dinner, we were sent to the kitchen reaction of other people was also shock- At last, vindication! Now Smith had to to wash dishes, and he fainted in front ing — they were saying, “Go home. What find a place to live. He wound up looking of me. He was a basketball player, tall do you want?” I remember thinking how at a new apartment complex near Valley and strong — so I was shocked; I started naïve they were; they would rather think View and Spring Mountain. screaming. Fortunately, my aunt Teresa, about futbol than protest. There were these two very statuesque, who was a pediatrician, ran in and said, After two years in Argentina, Kwiat- attractive young women who were also “Pull him out of the kitchen,” which was kowska moved to California, where an there to look at the same apartment. So very small. In the living room she did aunt lived, to pass equivalency licensure the manager took all three of us. I heard CPR, and she revived him. For me, it was exams and pursue her medical career. She one woman say to her, “I don’t have all the horrible to feel that someone I loved was and her first husband ultimately separated money right now, but I can give you half the dying in front of me and there was noth- to pursue their respective internships, and deposit now and half later …” I could see ing I could do. I said to myself, “I don’t Kwiatkowska eventually landed in Sac- the manager wasn’t too impressed. Once want to experience that helplessness ramento with a pathology specialization, the two women were out of earshot, I told the manager, “Look, I’ll give you the money right now if you give me the place.” She said, “Do you have a job?” “Yeah, I’m working at the Las Vegas Sun.” “Do you know Mike O’Callaghan?” “Yeah, I know Mike O’Callaghan,” “Well, I worked on his campaign when he ran for governor.” (Laughs.) Then she said, “Okay, the apartment’s yours. I wasn’t going to rent to those women, anyway; they’re prostitutes.” I was like, Really?! I had no clue. — SD

JUNE 2015 72 DesertCompanion.com second husband and two sons. The finale of her composition — still in progress — is set in Las Vegas, where she moved in 2000 to become the director of a blood bank. The first year, the boys would cry and say, “Mommy what are we doing here?” And I’d say we moved for my job. I told them to give it at least three years. But after that time, I asked what they wanted to do and they said, “Stay!” They were in a good school (in Summerlin), and we were part of the community. But, you never get something for nothing. My career was going well and I was able to create a nice nest for my children, but my husband decided not to move from Sacramento, so I filed for divorce. … The U.S. is definitely my home now, and I’m happy where I am. When I retire, I’d like to write a book called Three Lives. — HK

The dancing never stops Mary Scott Boulder Station cocktail server After losing her scholarship, Scott did started doing spreads and everything, dancing stints at Radio City Music Hall, and guys would go, “Let me see some and the go-go circuit in New Jersey. The pink!” I’d go (sticking out her tongue and pay was good, but the Southwest beckoned: pointing at it), “It’s pink!” The guys were Her mother had moved to Las Vegas from really good at not grabbing, until the last ingo players at Boulder Station know Phoenix. Scott thought she might continue couple of years, because, I’m sorry, you her as Mary Scott, 63, a smiling cock- a dancing career in some form in Las Vegas. can’t spread your crotch in front of a guy B tail waitress who’s curiously graceful The topless clubs turned her off. (“Twen- and not have him want to grab it. By then, on her feet. That’s because, in a previous ty-five dollars for eight hours? They’re I had been stripping for 15 years. life, she was an aspiring ballet dancer. At nuts. I went to the Aladdin and was a pit In 1989, she took a cocktail-waitressing job 17, she was in New York, studying under a clerk.”) But the pay at all-nude joints was at Palace Station — a different kind of stage. scholarship at the American Ballet Theatre. tempting. Twenty-six year-old Scott — I was terrified. Because I only danced But the enticements of the big city proved dancing under the stage name Brandi Du- all my life. For the first two months, perhaps too strong: ran — did her best to keep it classy. when walking from the parking lot I found out about food and sex, and After the Aladdin, I went into work- to the casino, I had such stage fright I gained a lot of weight. I’d never really eat- ing at the Palomino — when Paul Perry thought I would puke. When you’re on en in my life. When you’re a ballet dancer, owned it — The Cabaret, The Jokers Club, stage, there’s a distance between you you don’t eat. You know that movie, Black stripping totally nude. Back then you’d and the audience. It’s more of a claustro- Swan? That’s how you live. practice bending over, so you thought phobic thing when you’re right next to What kind of food? Any food! Oh, the you might see something, but you never all the people. hot dogs in the street with the red onion did. ... We were used to being true strip- She got over that stage fright, however, sauce. My boyfriend, he was also in the tease, where you had an act — every- and has been a cocktail server for 26 years entertainment business, and a lot of per- thing from Cleopatra to something with — but still makes the occasional move. formers would play at Greek restaurants, a beach ball. I did a can-can on pointe, Ballet is still my first love. I still go so we’d go to all the Greek restaurants. we did a bit where the girls dressed as upstairs, where I have a barre, and do What happens when you weigh too kitty-cats came out of garbage cans, a plies, tondues. I never stopped dancing. much? You lose your scholarship. You Halloween production where we did the If a certain song comes on at work, I get come in and it’s like, “Sorry, you’ve Monster Mash. dancing. The eye in the sky could proba- gained too much weight.” Then it started to get raunchy. Girls bly tell you. — AK

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26 4 John Veils 24 Butler Onyx Theater

Trio In Tom Coash’s play, What presented by Asylum Brooklyn Bowl Theatre, two young women — an Egyptian Happened to Four words you might 20 and an African- not’ve put together 19 American who’s also Jimmy Hoffa before — “Aussie roots Muslim — become jam rock” — come college roommates The Mob Museum together in superbly in Cairo. Perspectives listenable fashion. Groove Sinatra collide; great theater Some say he was worked into it or lose it, people! 7p, Recent happens. Through the foundation of a stadium in $22-$27.50, Brooklyn June 20, 2p and 7p, New Jersey. Others that he was Bowl, brooklynbowl.com Sings $25 general admission, ground up into a Florida swamp. Acquisitions Onyx Theater, Catch up on the latest in Jimmy asylumtheatre.org Hoffa Studies when the Mob Sinatra Museum convenes an expert & Vogel The Smith Center panel of writers and lawyers. 7p, $25, the Mob Museum, Collection Been 100 years since themobmuseum.org Frank Sinatra was born, Barrick Museum and, thankfully, The Smith Center isn’t, in the popular Here, the Barrick is saying, fashion, marking the look at these cool items occasion with a hologram from our storage room: of Ol’ Blue Eyes — though, excellent works it’s recently sadly, such a monstrosity acquired, or accepted from exists. Instead, Frank Jr. the Herb and Dorothy Vogel will share memories, film Collection. Fine art overload! clips, photos and, of course, Opening reception 6p. perform his father’s songs. Through September 19, free, 7:30p, $25-$115, Reynolds Barrick Museum, unlv.edu/ Hall at The Smith Center, barrickmuseum thesmithcenter.com

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 75 THE GUIDE

sketches. The work is uniquely and dynami- ART cally designed to be rich with personality by MUSIC ‘TIL DEATH DO YOU PART – combining fine hand-sculpted details with FRANKIE MORENO: MARRY YOURSELF wheel-thrown elements, vibrant underglazes UNDER THE INFLUENCE and opulent lusters. Free. Las Vegas City THROUGH JUNE 7 JUNE 2 & 9, 8P Guests write vows to themselves, then Hall Grand Gallery, 495 S. Main St., first Named Las Vegas Headliner of the Year two artist Gabrielle St. Evensen guides them floor, 702-229-1012 times running, Frankie Moreno has been to choose a few costume elements, pick a wowing audiences from coast to coast with his bouquet and choose a ring to keep. Next, COUPLED mix of Rat Pack glamour, original and classic guests enter an inner sanctum where a JUNE 4-JULY 6, MON-THU 7A-5P hits, and vintage funk-infused sounds. $20-$25. priestess whispers the vows as guests The pieces in this exhibit will feature artists Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center repeat them to themselves in a mirror. who are married, united or co-existing with Guests are pronounced married to them- another artist. Each artist couple will show LAURIE BERKNER selves and are given a personal wedding a piece of each of their work and there will JUNE 4, 10:30A & 6:30P cake, cheers and a photo. Free. P3Studio be a statement outlining how each artist’s The award-winning children’s recording artist at The Cosmopolitan, cosmopolitan work relates to the other artist in the couple. will be live in concert singing her famous songs. lasvegas.com Free. Las Vegas City Hall Chamber Gal- Wristbands will be distributed one hour before lery, 702-229-1012 the performances on a first-come, first-served SPRINGS PRESERVE PHOTO basis. Free. Main Theater at Clark County CONTEST EXHIBITION FIRST FRIDAY Library, lvccld.org THROUGH JUNE 21, 10A-6P JUNE 5, 6P This year’s theme was “Celebrations and Experience local artwork with varied exhibits, CLINT HOLMES open galleries, live music and DJs, food trucks, Traditions” when the challenge went out to JUNE 5-7, FRI-SAT 8:30P; SUN 2P professional, amateur and youth photographers vendor booths and special activities for the kids. The acclaimed singer named Las Vegas Enter- throughout the valley. Come see the results Free. Arts District; hub at Casino Center tainer of the Year three times, Singer of the Year of the sixth-annual juried photo contest. Free Blvd. between Colorado St. and California four times and awarded the Sammy Davis Jr. with regular admission. Big Springs St., firstfridaylasvegas.com Foundation award performs a spellbinding eve- Gallery at Springs Preserve ning of music that’s both live and alive. $37-$46. CHROMOPHILIA Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center NEVADA 150 EXHIBIT JUNE 10-JULY 12 Artists Amy Gartrell and Patterson Beck- THROUGH JUNE 30 DYNAMIC TROMBONE with will create a laboratory for exper- This exhibit contains many articles from the QUARTET celebration year, including the Sesquicenten- imenting with color in all its form and JUNE 6, 2P non-form and explore the myriad of ways nial saddle handmade by J.M. Capriolas which Walter Boenig leads in a concert of eclectic mu- color affects us. Participants will experi- features the GS Garcia stamp and Nevada 150 sic from classical compositions to popular con- ence color silks therapy and color water or commemorative silver medallions; a diorama temporary standards. Free. Charleston Heights hydrotherapy. In the final stage, Beckwith entitled “Home Means Nevada” created using Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., artslasvegas. will take a color portrait of guests in the only materials from Nevada; multiple photos org/performances/music from the celebration and much more. Free. color field determined by Gartrell. Free. First floor of the Grant Sawyer Building, P3Studio at The Cosmopolitan, cosmo nevada150.org politanlasvegas.com RAT PACK LIVE JUNE 6, 7P A blockbuster tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean CELEBRATING LIFE! GOING HOME Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joan Rivers. JUNE 26-SEP 19, WED-FRI 12:30-9P; This high-energy, fast-paced, hysterically 2015 JURIED SELECTIONS SAT 9A-6P funny show presents the best of these leg- EXHIBITION These large-scale drawings by Domenic Cretara endary stars by the top tribute artists in the THROUGH JULY 11, WED-FRI and Christopher Troutman are narratives of country with hits like “Mr. Bojangles,” “Luck 12:30-9P; SAT 9A-6P their personal exploration of environment and Be a Lady,” “New York, New York” and so This exhibit is the result of a juried fine arts family. Free. Charleston Heights Art Center, many more. $18. Starbright Theatre at Sun competition open to residents ages 50+ of 800 S. Brush St., 702-229-1012 Clark, Esmerelda, Lincoln, Mineral and Nye City Summerlin, suncity-summerlin.com/ counties of Nevada. Participants submitted one starbrighttheatre artwork only; categories include drawing/pastel, DANCE painting, mixed media, photography, ceram- SIMPLY ELLA HENDERSON SYMPHONY ics, sculpture and watercolor/gouache. Free. JUNE 12, 7:30P ORCHESTRA Charleston Heights Art Center Ballroom, The Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater JUNE 6, 8P 800 S. Brush St., 702-229-1012 will present a very special performance cele- Cool off with the orchestra’s summer per- brating the music and life of the legendary Ella formance featuring the concert version of SOLO CHIC Fitzgerald. This one-night-only event features a Giacomo Puccini’s “La Bohème.” Free. Hen- THROUGH JULY 13, MON-THU special performance by vocalists Clint Holmes derson Pavilion, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway, 7A-5:30P and Reva Rice. $35-$125. Reynolds Hall at The hendersonlive.com A five-year retrospective by C.A. Traen featuring Smith Center ceramic sculptures inspired by a catalogue of

JUNE 2015 76 DesertCompanion.com INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE SHOW JUNE 9, 6P A great variety show featuring Dokkoi Shamisen, Happy Feet Vegas, belly dancing, Tendoryuu Japanese Dancers, Korabo Taiko, Chinese Lion Dance and Mariachi. $8 in advance, $10 concert day. Winchester Cultural Center, clarkcountynv.gov

STEVE TYRELL JUNE 12-13, 7P Steve Tyrell sings the hits of legendary song- writers Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Leiber and Stoller and others. $39-$59. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center

THE DESERT TENORS JUNE 14, 3P The First Peoples Bill Fayne, Mark Giovi and George DeMott will take you on a musical journey through opera, R&B, Popera, musical theater, jazz, swing and Series Premiere more! These are voices, personalities and a musical experience that are designed to please Wednesday, June 24 at 9 p.m. audiences of all ages. $18. Starbright Theatre at Sun City Summerlin, suncity-summerlin. com/starbrighttheatre

SAMBA EXOTICO JUNE 19-20, 7P An exotic Latin flair takes the stage when the Assad Brothers, Brazil’s most celebrated classical guitarists, join with jazz guitar virtuoso Romero Lubambo and Clarice Assad for “Samba Exótico,” an exploration of Samba and Choros, a popular 19th-century genre that blossomed in Rio de Janeiro. $35-$59. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center

WILLIE WAINWRIGHT JUNE 20, 2P World-renown Hawaiian fiddle player and singer, Wainwright has played for the White House, on The Tonight Show and at the Grand Ole Opry. The Bear Family Poldark on Free. Winchester Cultural Center, clarkcounty nv.gov and Me Masterpiece Series Premiere Series Premiere DJANGOVEGAS! Wednesday, June 10 at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 21 at 9 p.m. JUNE 20, 6P; PRE-CONCERT COCKTAILS 5P The annual celebration of the music of Djan- go Reinhardt and other gypsy jazz musicians past and present, this year will feature the The Crimson Field Last Tango in Halifax New Hot Club of America, the International String Trio with special guests Olli Soikkeli Series Premiere Season 3 Premiere and Leah Zeger, and Las Vegas’ very own gypsy jazz group, The Hot Club of Las Vegas. Sunday, June 21 at 10 p.m. Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. $10 in advance; $15 event day. Historic Fifth Street School Arts Center, 401 S. Fourth St., 702-229-ARTS Visit VegasPBS.org today to see the complete schedule. 3050 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89121 • 702-799-1010

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 77 THE GUIDE

ANNALEIGH ASHFORD: THE GET Siegel, the mob was a behind-the-scenes force in the Las Vegas casino industry from the 1940s LOST IN THE STARS EVERY FRI 9:30P Sketches, standup and improv–oh, my! All to the 1970s. The Mob Museum’s Director of JUNE 27-28, SAT 7P; SUN 2P Content, Geoff Schumacher, will explain how Annaleigh Ashford comes to Las Vegas with things comedy and unexpected happen every it all happened and why it ended. Free. Main an evening of song, story and sequins, in her week in this variety show. Talent from all over Theater at Clark County Library, lvccld.org critically acclaimed cabaret. $49-$65. Cabaret the valley pools here, so come prepared to Jazz at The Smith Center laugh. $10. Onyx Theatre, onyxtheatre.com THE POETS’ CORNER (W)RITES OF PASSAGE JUNE 19, 7:30P THEATER Hosted by Keith Brantley, this monthly forum JUNE 5-6, 7P SEVENS LIVE! The Rainbow Company Youth Theatre Ensem- for established poets and open-mic participants features the best local poetry talent. EVERY MON 7P ble Show offers an entertaining view of growing Veteran poetry producer Lee Mallory will curate up in Las Vegas, created from the writings of Ages 17+. Free. West Las Vegas Arts Center and host this selective open mic that will in- local students. Free. Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Community Gallery, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., clude edgy musicians, acerbic comics and lively Plaza in Lorenzi Park, 720 Twin Lakes Drive, artslasvegas.org spoken art visionaries. You will never think of artslasvegas.com poetry the same way again. Free with one drink CONVERSATIONS WITH minimum. The Cantina at Silver Sevens Hotel & THE KIDS IN THE HALL NORM PRESENTS Casino, 702-733-7000 JUNE 5, 9P “REMEMBERING SINATRA” All five original cast members – Dave Foley, JUNE 21, 2P IMPROV KINGDOM Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKin- Las Vegas Review-Journal celebrity columnist EVERY MON 8P ney and Scott Thompson – have reunited for a Norm Clarke interviews Frank Sinatra’s long- The Las Vegas comedy show featuring both show that will feature characters well-known and time friends Bob Anderson, Vince Falcone and short- and long-form improv from some of the loved by fans of their original show, as well as Pia Zadora. Proceeds benefit the Education valley’s most experienced improv actors. Wine entirely new material. 18+ only. $55-$84. Mystère and Outreach Programming of The Smith Cen- and concessions available. Come at 6p for drop- stage at Treasure Island, treasureisland.com ter. $25-$35. Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center in class with Paul Mattingly. $10 show, $15 for both drop-in and show. Baobab Stage Theatre, JESUS LOVES YOU! 6587 Las Vegas Blvd. S., baobabstage.com THE ADVENTURES OF (BUT HATES ME) CREAMPUFF THE CAT: JUNE 6, 7, 11, 13 & 14, THU-SAT 8P; THE SPOT SUN 2P JOURNEY TO THE EVERY WED 8P Perhaps the only comedian to perform at an RAINBOW CITY You never know whom you’ll see, but you American Atheists convention AND a Baptist JUNE 27, 2P know you will always enjoy some great long- church, Thea Deley shares the hilarious epipha- Author and illustrator Vernon Rowlette will pres- and short-form improv. Come at 6:30 for a nies that led her to abandon Christianity. Equal ent and then sign copies of his children’s book donation-suggested drop-in class focusing on parts storytelling, sketch comedy, film parody about an adventurous cat. Fun for all ages. Free. musical comedy, stay for the fun and games. and game show, this is her love note to every- West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead $10. The Sci-Fi Center, 5077 S. Arville St., one who’s survived religious indoctrination Blvd., 702-229-4800 greyenvelope.com with their faith in humanity still intact. Mature audiences only. $12. Black Box inside Las Vegas FAMILY & FESTIVALS THE BUCKET SHOW Little Theater, JesusLovesYouShow.com EVERY WED 10P FAMILY FUN DAY: Paul Mattingly (Second City) and Matt Donnelly LAS VEGAS ATOMIC COMICS (former writer for Penn & Teller) offer up improv JUNE 6, 10A-3P at its finest. You call the shots for everything IMPROVISATIONAL Fun for the whole family, featuring a themed from long-form to singing games. Free, do- PLAYERS exhibit exploring atomic characters in comic nations go in your favorite actor’s bucket at JUNE 20, 7P books, games, activities, a costume contest and the end of the show. Scullery Theater, 150 Las Clean-burning, kid-friendly fun “Whose Line is more. Free. National Atomic Testing Museum, Vegas Blvd. N. mattandmattingly.com it Anyway?” style. Be part of the show as the nationalatomictestingmuseum.org audience chooses the starter for each scene and song. Come early for Name that Tune and DON’T QUIT chocolate. $10 at the door, kids free. American LAS VEGAS WINE AND YOUR DAY JOB Heritage Academy, 6126 S. Sandhill Road, MUSIC FESTIVAL EVERY THU 9:30P lvimprov.com JUNE 11-13 Truth is indeed stranger than fiction. Learn Mingle with award-winning classical musi- more about the weirdest jobs in the valley in cians and sip samples from Terlato Wines this talk-show-like format where the director LECTURES, SPEAKERS AND PANELS International’s luxury portfolio — paired interviews the special guest while improv actors LAS VEGAS STORIES: specifically to the music — in a unique and recreate the hilarious workplace stories in the intimate concert setting. $200 three-night background. Created by Second City alumni THE MOB’S HIDDEN pass, daily tickets $79-$109. Nevada State Derek and Natalie Shipman. $10. Onyx Theatre, HAND IN LAS VEGAS Museum at Springs Preserve, lasvegaswine onyxtheatre.com JUNE 4, 7P andmusic.com From Meyer Lansky and Moe Dalitz to Bugsy

JUNE 2015 78 DesertCompanion.com 15TH ANNUAL JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL JUNE 19, 5-9P Families come together to celebrate achieve- ment, education, art, commerce, health and wellness. Sponsored by Rainbow Dreams Edu- cational Foundation and the city of Las Vegas. Free. Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park, june19lv.com

6TH ANNUAL LAS VEGAS MAY 29 – OCT 17 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION JUNE 20, 1P Spend the day celebrating the spiritual essence of people whose lives continue to be the creative catalyst of Juneteenth Independence Day which encourages critical thinking, conversation and reflection along with celebrating Nevada’s signing of the Juneteenth Bill to establish this day of observance. Co-sponsored by the Na- tional Juneteenth Observance Foundation and Las Vegas Jazz Society. Free. West Las Vegas Library, lvccld.org

SUMMER CAMPS A LIVE MUSICAL SPECTACULAR OF DISNEY THROUGH THE AT THE MUSEUM YEARS FEATURING YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY CLASSICS! JULY 6-JULY 31, 8A-12P OR 1-5P Programming focuses on arts, science, technology, engineering and math. Campers will investigate, invent, experiment, interpret, strategize, JUNE 5 – OCT 16 discover and share what they’ve learned. Most important, they’ll have fun using their minds and engaging with others while igniting their imaginations. $180 per weekly session, $171 if registered before June 8, $153 museum members. Discovery Children’s Museum, discovery kidslv.org/camp

FUNDRAISERS NINTH ANNUAL FLIP-FLOP FUNDRAISER A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY THROUGH JUNE 30 Proceeds go to Camp Sunshine, a one-of-a- kind camp in Maine that is dedicated to helping JULY 31 – OCT 15 children with cancer and their families. $1 per paper flip-flop, $5 for key fobs allowing 10% off purchases. Wear flip-flops on June 19 for a free smoothie! All 26 Las Vegas Tropical Smoothie LOCATED IN SOUTHERN UTAH JUST Café locations, tropicalsmoothie.com 90 MINUTES NORTH OF LAS VEGAS ON I-15 SWING SESSION CELEBRITY GOLF CLASSIC JUNE 6, 9:30A Join celebrities and world-class chefs for an amazing day of gourmet food and golf along- side MBF Founder and renowned chef Mario Batali to raise funds children’s charities. $3,500 per golfer, $12,500 foursomes, $100-$250 non-golfers. Cascata Golf Course, Boulder City, mariobatalifoundation.org TUACAHN.ORG | (866) 321-4953

JUNE 2015 DesertCompanion.com 79 END NOTE

SATIRE Guns, guts and glory By Andrew Kiraly & Scott Dickensheets

ith any luck, by the time you read nounced his statements, this, the 2015 Legislature will and for the remainder of have come to a merciful close. the session returned to the Then again, it’s also entirely subtler, unspoken, more insidious brand of played a GIF of a stoned basenji thumping W possible that, as of this writing, racism properly befitting a rural legislator. its head with a sneaker and barking, “That Assemblywoman Michele Fiore and Cliven Michael Roberson was my skull! I’m so wasted!” Bundy are holding our lawmakers hostage at GOP Senate majority leader. By shepherd- Toy guns in schools musket-point until they recognize the ing Gov. Sandoval’s education tax plan Noting that a student had been reprimand- independent city-state of Fioria. through the Legislature while ed for chewing his Pop-Tart into the shape At any rate, here’s a roundup quietly killing many of the red of a handgun, a worried Assemblyman Jim of the newsworthy people, wave’s kookier proposals, Rob- Wheeler, R-Glock, introduced a bill requiring the politics and the power erson was the Senate’s most ef- all Nevada students to chew all their food into plays of the 78th session. fective Democrat in years. weapon shapes. “It’s time we made the Second Amendment as delicious to our children as it is players and BILLS to crackpot gun absolutists,” Wheeler said. politicos Schools Michele Fiore With the momentum of strong Controversies After a rocky start in which bipartisan support, SB811 passed Uber Fiore was removed from key the Assembly and Senate easily. In a pitched battle that tested the political pow- committees and legislative The bill breaks the Clark County er of taxi operators, the Legislature attempted posts, the colorful, combative law- School District into five smaller dis- to set policy for ride-sharing services such as maker proved a pivotal figure in this biennial’s tricts, then breaks each of those districts into Uber and Lyft. The bill finally passed when session despite being “accidentally” locked out 20 smaller districts, and then finally breaks Uber grudgingly promised that its contractors of Assembly chambers most of the time and down individual schools into separate pieces, would drive with the same recklessness and thus forced to scream her testimony for the which will be dismantled and sold for scrap. disdain for traffic safety as regular cabbies. legislative record. UNLV medical school Federal land Despite her dogged efforts, Fiore’s con- Encouraging bipartisan support of a Sando- JR101 would ask the federal government to troversial bill to allow concealed weapons val budget recommendation paves the way for revert 7 million acres to state control. It’s an on college campuses failed. Long-brewing UNLV to open a medical school as early as 2097. economic move, insisted its sponsor, Sen. Pete suspicions about her motives for the bill Lobbyists Goicoechea: “Since the mining industry pays were at last answered when an angry Fiore AB704 narrows the list of gifts lobbyists can so little in taxes, the obvious solution is to give pulled her face skin off, revealing her true legally give lawmakers to include meals, alco- more land to mining companies — that way, the identity as Yosemite Sam. hol, cash, trips, clothing, footwear, accessories, state collects incrementally more of their insig- Victoria Seaman jewelry, vehicles, spa services, gym member- nificant payments!” However, pressed by con- … Elmer Fudd. ships, TVs, personal electronics, furniture, servationists, land-use advocates and a covey John Hambrick stationery, handguns, collectibles, antiques, of sentient sage grouse, Goicoechea admitted The Assembly speaker, Hambrick was de- maybe a little more cash, unused prescription it would be wrong to turn the entire 7 million rided by some as “the man in the empty medications, Netflix accounts, that last U2 acres over to mining. “We’ll also give more suit.” Asked for a response, the suit crum- album, seasons 2-4 of Breaking Bad on DVD, grazing land to Cliven Bundy,” pled to the floor, releasing a wisp of dust. remaindered copies of the 50 Shades trilogy, he added. Ira Hansen brothel gift certificates and one last bundle of After being removed from his Assembly cash. Removed from list: novelty keychains. speaker post in light of revelations he had Medical marijuana made racially insensitive comments in his Despite intense lobbying by the maker of column in the Sparks Tribune, Hansen de- Canine Doritos, a bill to legalize medical livered a sincere apology and publicly re- marijuana for dogs failed after opponents

JUNE 2015 80 DesertCompanion.com illustration brent holmes Inspired. Con dent. Prepared.

Discovering the leaders of tomorrow.

It’s one thing to learn. It’s quite another to live for learning. That’s the spirit we instill in our students at Henderson International School, as part of the prestigious Meritas International Family of Schools. Beginning in our private preschool, each student is immersed in globalism, empowered with a personalized curriculum, and engaged with ne arts and athletics. Upon graduating from our middle school, each student feels fully prepared for success at their high school of choice.

Learn more at HendersonSchool.com. +1-702-818-2100 FROM PACKAGES ONLY Grace. Strength. Artistry. $12 CELEBRATION. 9

Nevada Ballet Theatre and A BALANCHINE THE Cirque du Soleil® Present CELEBRATION: NUTCRACKER A CHOREOGRAPHERS’ Serenade / Slaughter on Tenth Avenue / Who Cares? December 12 – 20, 2015 SHOWCASE From Tchaikovsky to Rodgers & Hart to Gershwin October 11 & 18, 2015 November 7 & 8, 2015

CINDERELLA THE STUDIO SERIES ROMEO & JULIET February 13 & 14, 2016 March 31 – April 3, 2016 May 14 & 15, 2016

NEVADA BALLET THEATRE 2015-2016 SEASON ON SALE NOW (702) 749-2000 NevadaBallet.org

2015-2016 SEASON SPONSORS

Photos by Virginia Trudeau. Cinderella photo by Yi Yin, courtesy of Oregon Ballet Theatre. Serenade Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. Programs subject to change.