BLVDS Las Vegas Magzine issue 25 Adventure

issue 25

c o m m u n i t y l c u l t u r e l d e s i g n l f l a v o rc o m m u n i t y l c u l t u r e l d e s i g n l f l a v o rc o m m u n i t y l c u l t u r e l d e s i g n l f l a v o r

THE 16TH ANNUAL KOMEN SOUTHERN NEVADA RACE FOR THE CURE®

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If you’re like most, you’re looking for a chance to get away from Vegas without leaving town or spending a bunch of money. Enter Springs Preserve.

What is Springs Preserve? It’s adventure trails. And interactive games and exhibits. Live animal displays and botanical gardens. It’s discovery and wonder. It’s all of these things and more.

Exhibits $9.95 for adults, kids 5 yrs. – older just $4.95.Open daily, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 702.822.7700

U.S. 95 and Valley View Blvd.For our calendar of events visit springspreserve.org.

off $2* Expires 9/30/11. Not to be used in conjunction with any other off er or discount.

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Adult Admission

b l v d s l v . c o m issue25 a d v e n t u r e B L V D S L a s V e g a s 5

what’s insideA R T I C L E S & H I G H L I G H T S

WanderingFree14

Artist-In-Residence27

TravelinStyle36

AdventurousEats46

in th

is issue

ON THE COVER:FrankLoweryontheroadtoadventure.©Greg Warden

THIS PAGE FROM TOP:Desertscenery©China Ranch Date Farm;StevenSpanncreation©Chris Cutler;OntheXTrain©CSD Architects;Koreancuisine©Jillian Plaster

C O M M U N I T YSpotlights

Travis Herber t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Frank Lower y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Zipline AdventuresFlying High in Southern Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

A Desert TreatWandering Free at China Ranch Date Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

C U LT U R EDefenders of the SoilProtect and Preser ve Our Ancient Past . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Steven Spann’s Excellent AdventureTurning Trash Into Ar t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Upcoming EventsCheck Out the BLVDS Events Calendar for Upcoming Local Events . . . . . . . . . 32

D E S I G NX TrainOn Track for Travel in Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Adventure By DesignRed Rock Climbing Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

F L A V O RChinatown With Jet TilaLocal Chef Talks Culture and Cuisine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Exotic EatsAdventurous Dining Here at Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

6B L V D S L a s V e g a s a d v e n t u r e i s s u e 2 5 b l v d s l v . c o m

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THEBLVDSTEAMJan Craddock President&PublisherSherri Kaplan COO&Co-PublisherPat Marvel ConsultingEditorKimberly Schaefer ManagingEditorRandi Daniels ArtDirection&DesignDiane Bush PhotoEditor

EDITORIAL BOARDBrianPacoAlvarezTracyBowerDuretteCanditoChrisCutlerAudrieDodgeRobertDorganGinaGavanNancyHigginsWendyJordanWendyKveckPamLangRandiChaplin-MatushevitzRobMcCoyJasonRothKimberlyMaxson-RushtonKarenRubelKristinSandeRickSellersKimberlyTrueba

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSBeckyBosshartChrisCutlerHektorEsparzaJil l ianPlasterBrockRadkeKimberlySchaeferEricSchellhorn

PHOTOGRAPHYChrisCutlerMariaPhelanJil l ianPlasterAlexRodriguezGregWarden

CONTAC T US241W.CharlestonBlvd.Suite173LasVegas,NV89102(p)386.6065 (f ) 386.6012blvdslv.com

Copyright2011byBLVDS,Inc.,allrightsreserved.NopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformwithoutwrittenpermissionfromBLVDS,Inc.Everyeffortwasmadetoensuretheaccuracyoftheinformationinthispublication,however,BLVDS,Inc.assumesnoresponsibilityforerrors,changesoromissions.BLVDS,Inc.acceptseditorialandphotographysubmissions.Sendallsubmissionsto:[email protected].

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There is nothing like a good adventure—just the thought of planning one or

inadvertentlybecomingpartofonequickensyourpulseandsharpensyourmind

andgivesyouagooddoseofadrenalin.Ofcourse,anadventureforoneperson

maynotbeappropriateforanother.Forexample,mymotherlovestorecall,with

agleaminhereye,atriptoCaliforniawithmyfatherwhentheyhadtohavean

airportrunwayfoamedbecausethewingsontheirairplanehadfrozen.I likemy

adventuresalittlebittamerthanthat.

Whatevertypeofadventureyouprefer,wearefortunatetoliveinatownwhere

choices abound. Whether you like the manmade kind on the Strip or those

involving the great outdoors, options are just moments away. Our state is rich

withrecreationaloptions,andwearealsosurroundedonallsidesbystatesthat

canprovidefabulousforays.

InthisissueofBLVDS,weintroduceyoutopeoplewhohaveathirstforadventure

andhaveturneditintoaprofessionand,insomecases,anartform.Wetakeyou

to some locations close to home that you might want to consider for your next

adrenaline-filled escapade. In need of a quick thrill to clear your head? Head

downtoFremontStreetorover toBoulderCityand jumponazipline.Bothare

greatwaystogetyourfeetoffofthegroundandletthewindblowthroughyour

hair.Andifallthatexcitementleavesyouhungeringformore,checkoutourflavor

sectionfordiningideasthatwilltakeyouallovertheworldwithouteverhaving

toleavetown.

Nowgooutandhavelittlefun!

JanCraddock,Publisher

may 7&8

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WHETHER YOU PREFER THE SCENIC BEAUTY OF A DESERT

CANYON OR THE ACTION OF AN URBAN ONE, FLIGHTLINES’

ZIPLINE EXPERIENCES OFFER TWO THRILLING ADVENTURES

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THIS PAGE: Soaring over the desert ©BC Flightlines

blvds communitythe local spotlightARTICLES

Spotlights

Travis HerbertFrom Shuss to Chef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Frank LoweryPushing the Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Zipline AdventuresFlying High in Southern Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

A Desert TreatWandering Free at China Ranch Date Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

April Control Insects! Always use the most environmentally safe method possible. For stubborn pests or severe infestations, use Bayer Multi Insect Killer or Rose & Flower Insect Killer for fast control. These products are waterproof and kid/pet safe once spray has dried. Skeletonizer Caterpillars love to chew on grape leaves and will strip them. Treat with BT Worm Killer it kills all kinds of caterpillars.

MAYPrepare your Lawn for Summer. Fertilize lawns before the end of the month to get them through the fi rst heat wave. Use Dr. Q’s Royal Flush to get the lawn off to a great start and condition it for the coming summer. This superb lawn fertilizer lasts up to 12 weeks, and conditions your soil while feeding the turf.

Be picky about your fertilizer. Dr Q’s are fortifi ed with all the micro nutrients missing in our Desert soils. Without this balance many of the nutrients will not be available to the plants. Renew mulches as necessary.

Dr. Q’s Seasonal Gardening Tips

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Green Light

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b l v d s l v . c o m issue 25 a d v e n t u r e B L V D S L a s V e g a s 1 1

SPOTLIGHTS

TRAVIS HERBERTFROM SHUSS TO CHEF

When he was just two years old, Travis Herbert’s

parents duct-taped blue plastic kids’ skis to his

tiny feet and put him at the top of a Montana

mountain. That first day on the slopes was the

beginning of a lifetime of adventure for the now-

executive chef at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and

Wine Bar in Summerlin.

The Herbert family was always active in outdoor

activities and sports. His father, the state

waterfall biologist for Montana, involved his sons

in hunting, fishing, and, of course, skiing which

Travis loved.

A native of Helena, Herbert usually skied on

Great Divide Mountain about 25 minutes from

his home. By sixth grade, he was training for the

Junior Olympics. During his senior year in high

school, Herbert qualified for the Northern Junior

Olympics team in slalom and grand slalom. After

graduating in1997, he enrolled at the University

of Utah because of the school’s ski program.

One semester later, Herbert says, skiing for the

university team ceased to be fun. “I dropped out

and became a ski bum,” he laughs. For two years

he worked for the Park City Mountain Resort,

and in 1999 he made the life-changing decision

to begin working as a cook at the Alta Peruvian

Lodge in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Admittedly

self-taught, Herbert began as a cook and worked

his way up to prep cook and sous chef. And while

he spent part of those days cooking, he also

spent part of the day skiing.

His transition from the slopes to the kitchen isn’t

really that hard to comprehend. He has a deep

love for both. “I always loved eating,” Herbert

says, “and some of my best memories are of the

traditional, home-cooked meals my mother and

grandmother made.” He not only helped a little

in the kitchen when he was growing up, but also

in obtaining food for the

meals. “We never bought

meat or fish,” he says. “We

hunted wild game—deer,

elk, moose, bear—and

birds, and we fished.”

So how did he get from the

mountain resort kitchens

of Utah to the arid desert

of Southern Nevada?

Seven years ago, Herbert

joined Fleming’s as a line

cook, and as he had done

in the resorts in Utah, he

worked his way up through

the kitchen hierarchy. Two

years ago, Fleming’s named

him executive chef of the

Summerlin restaurant.

As overseer of the entire

kitchen operation and

staff, Herbert doesn’t get

to cook much these days,

but he loves his job. “If you

don’t enjoy it, you can’t do

it,” he says.

While he doesn’t have the opportunity to ski as

often as he did in Utah, Herbert still relaxes with

outdoor activities a little more attuned to life in

Las Vegas—boating, hiking, wake boarding. But

should he have some time off in the winter, you

can bet he’s on the slopes somewhere.

Why do you get out of bed every morning?

Every day is different. I may work within the

same four walls, but every day I meet new

people, have new experiences.

Where would you most like to travel?

Europe. I’d like to see the Alps, Germany,

Switzerland, Italy. And, of course, I want to

experience the different foods.

What makes you say “wow”?

Attention to detail. . . all the little points that so

many people miss. When someone finally pays

attention, it’s great.

What’s next?

My wife, who is a Life Flight nurse, is getting her

nurse practitioner’s license. After that, maybe

a family.

“I always loved eating, and some of my best

memories are of the traditional, home-cooked

meals my mother and grandmother made.”

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12 B L V D S L a s V e g a s a d v e n t u r e i s s u e 2 5 b l v d s l v . c o m

If passion is the fuel that drives one to success,

then Frank Lowery’s tank is full. Lowery began

his career as a triathlete on a whim when he was

just a pre-teen, and his drive to push his body,

and his career, to the limits hasn’t faltered since.

Lowery’s drive has done more than improve

his own health, it has also benefited countless

others through his work as a coach, trainer,

and organizer of the Silverman Triathlon held

in Henderson each November. In just over

five years, Silverman has grown from an event

hosting approximately 300 athletes to one with

participation of over 1,200 in 2010.

This father of four (yes, four) young children

ranging in age from one to eleven has personally

completed over 200 triathlons. Through his

company, Lowery’s Multisport Races, Frank

teaches spin classes for Henderson Parks and

Rec, coaches swimming for United States Master

Swimming, and designs personalized training

programs for clients.

Before Lowery’s Multisport, he served in the

United States Air Force as a combat medic. That

experience lead Lowery to become involved

with the organization Operation Rebound

which provides athletic opportunities for

permanently injured veterans and active duty

service members. In 2010, Silverman hosted

the Operation Rebound Relay with 100% of the

proceeds donated to the organization.

This year, the annual Silverman event will be

replaced by the International Triathlon Union’s

Long Course World Championship which will

be held on November 5th. “It’s challenging and

gives us a new event to work toward. Each year

we try to add something new to the event, and

this will definitely spice it up,” says Lowery. This

prestigious athletic event is sure to improve

the economic health of the Las Vegas Valley,

attracting between 1,200 to 1,600 of the world’s

premier triathletes along with an estimated

25,000 daily visitors during the Health & Wellness

Expo held in the days leading up to the race.

The process of preparing for the ITU event began

over two years ago. “We won the bid back in

2009,” explains Lowery. He and his team are

proud to bring the event to Southern Nevada

and back to this country. “It hasn’t been in the

United States for the last 15 years, so it’s really

exciting for us,” Lowery explains.

Many people think of our community primarily

as a destination for gaming, but the area’s mild

fall, winter, and spring weather, along with the

surrounding natural outdoor attractions make

Southern Nevada perfect for a triathlon. “We

have one of the top locations in the world,” says

Lowery.

Couple that with our world-class reputation

as a travel destination, and it’s easy to see

why ITU chose Henderson for the 2011 World

Championship. As Lowery puts it, “People want

to come here. Even if there wasn’t a race, they

would still want to come here.”

What’s one thing you want to do before

you die?

My wife and I were talking about this not long

ago. One of the top priorities would be to go to

the Olympics, a winter and summer Olympics. I

also owe her a number of trips to Tonga.

With whom would you like to trade jobs?

I would trade jobs with Phil Ivey or President

Obama. That’s a wide range, but I would like

to see what it would be like to be professional

poker player, to see what that’s all about and

to see if it’s something I could manage. And I

would want to see what the big deal is about

being president. Why does every president get

gray hair as soon as they step into the White

House?

What’s next?

The mountains.

FRANK LOWERYPUSHING THE LIMITS

This prestigious athletic event

is sure to improve the economic

health of the Las Vegas Valley,

attracting between 1,200 to 1,600

of the world’s premier triathletes

along with an estimated 25,000

daily visitors

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Bring up the term “extreme sports” in a

conversation and images of ice climbers, big

wave surfers, and envelope-pushing motocross

jumpers come to mind. And sure, if taken to true

extremes, ziplining could easily fit in with the

aforementioned thrill-seeking activities. But what

if the experience was designed for the everyman?

Could the dangers of flying at speeds of 50 to 65

mph, 300 feet off the ground be minimized so that

ziplining is made accessible to almost anyone?

The answer is an emphatic “yes,” according to

local Flightlines manager Max Margolis. As he

explains, “With us, it’s all engineered to cut much

of the personal responsibility out of it. We try

to differentiate our service from other zipline

companies. The general concept is the same but

there are variations as to how you can set these

things up.”

Indeed, depending on which outfitter you go

with and where you are in the world, riding these

steel cables can be a very different experience.

As Margolis says, “There are ziplines that are built

where they’re basically tied off to trees, and you

may fly into a mattress at the bottom. And at

others, you may be using welder’s gloves to slow

yourself down—all of which can add up to a very

dangerous environment.”

He explains that Flightlines’ cables are anchored

to concrete foundations and that the whole set-up

is engineered with redundant safety features. All

well and good, but when I was told I would be

taking in the Flightlines experience myself, I wasn’t

without my doubts.

There are two Flightlines locations in Southern

Nevada: one at Boulder City’s Bootleg Canyon,

the other under the canopy at the Fremont Street

Experience. I arrived at the BC location shortly after

7 a.m. on a brisk February morning. Two couples

were already seated and watching wall-mounted flat

screens showing video footage of pro skateboarder

Rob Dyrdeck and his entourage preparing to take

flight for the first time. Both Dyrdeck and his friends

seemed genuinely scared, and that set my nerves off

a bit. If tough-guy pro skaters were intimidated by

this adventure, then maybe I should be, too.

Then there was a phone call which alerted the

receptionist there would be a no-show this

morning and that we should get ready to go

without them. I asked her if people back out often.

She laughed and said, “No, not usually. They start

to get a little scared at the top, but our guides are

great. They give them a boost of courage.”

Our guides soon came into the office and ushered

us into the next room where harnesses and other

equipment were hanging and laying neatly on the

floor. The guides were about what I expected—

sporty, hardy young men with big smiles and good

tans. A tour guide named Craig immediately took

command of the group. He let us know that what he

had to say was important while being light-hearted

enough to imply there was more fun, than fear, to

be experienced in our near future. We were warned

to use the restrooms beforehand as there wasn’t

much vegetation to provide cover for the ladies on

the mountain, and then told the wind’s speed and

direction for the men.

After the safety tutorial we were spirited up the

smallish mountain in a crowded but comfy van.

Riding shotgun was a tour guide/comedian named

Ridge. I won’t spoil his shtick for those of you that

may actually make it out there, but I will let you

know his version of the origin of the name Bootleg

Canyon goes further that just pointing out the

remnants of moonshine stills used by people who

built the Hoover Dam.

There are four lines that zigzag down the canyon.

Short hikes link riders from platform to platform

FACING PAGE: Over Bootleg Canyon ©BC Flightlines

ZIPLINE ADVENTURESFLYING HIGH IN SOUTHERN NEVADA

H E K T O R E S PA R Z A

Could the dangers of flying at

speeds of 50 to 65 mph, 300 feet

off the ground be minimized so

that ziplining is made accessible

to almost anyone?

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for launching and landing. The views of Lake

Mead, Boulder City, and Las Vegas from the top

of the canyon are fantastic. Taking each of the

four different lines down provides an experience

not unlike skiing or downhill mountain biking. At

Bootleg Canyon the natural setting, camaraderie,

and sheer exhilaration of the ride all make for

quite a worthwhile experience.

Downtown, the Flightlines experience takes on

another dimension. Top speeds at Bootleg Canyon

are around 60 mph, so you might be fooled into

thinking the 30 mph top speeds at Fremont Street

are nothing to get excited about. Nothing could

be further from the truth. Being closer to the

ground and the surreal reference points of dazzling

neon signs, tourists, double-decker busses, and,

of course, the 12.5 million LED modules of the

Fremont Street canopy make this ride a real thrill.

And leaping from the 76 foot tower over concrete,

kiosks, and revelers, makes gliding over cacti and

sagebrush—even at 60 mph—seem purely sublime.

As Margolis puts it, “They are two very different

experiences. Bootleg Canyon is about being out

there and flying over that whole landscape, and

Downtown is really about being a part of the

show.”

Having done both in the same day, I would have

to agree.

“Bootleg Canyon is about being

out there and fl ying over that

whole landscape, and Downtown

is really about being a part of

the show.”

Bootleg Canyon Flightlines1512 Industrial Rd., Boulder City 89005628.5909, bcflightlines.com

$149 for tourists, $134 for localsReservations required. Tours offered hourly from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. depending on availability, 7 days a week.

Fremont Street Flightlines425 Fremont St., Las Vegas 89101410.7999, fremontstreetfl ightline.com

$15 before 6 p.m., $20 after 6 p.m.12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday-Thursday12 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday-SaturdayHours subject to change.

702.759.8600 www.desertrad.com

EARLY DETECTION IS VITAL. No matter what your imaging needs are, we provide fast, accurate diagnosis andtreatment using the most advanced technology available.

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There aren’t a lot of places a person can go to feel a

sense of freedom, particularly if it involves a tourist

destination. You have the arduous, congested drive.

Parking fees. Ticket prices that tear a hole in the

heart as well as the wallet. And the feeling that

you’re just one of the herd pushed through the

experience with little to show for it other than the

look-I-saw-this photo. I’m not calling out any place

specifically (ah, glittering neon, I still adore you),

but I’m describing here what China Ranch Date

Farm isn’t.

This is what it is: freedom.

China Ranch, a family-run date farm nestled in an

oasis near Death Valley National Park, provides the

picturesque serenity that you actually experience

rather than just capture in photos. Experiences like

strolling through rows of palm trees and looking up

into the lush fruit wrapped in fabric billowing in the

breeze, protecting the tender wine-colored ovals

from birds. Savoring sweet date shakes, candies, and

pastries. Finding stories in the landscape. Learning

the history that intertwines the California-hybrid

palms and the fates (some tragic) of the families who

loved this land. It’s far away, yet it’s so familiar.

To reach the ranch, travel 85 miles west of Las Vegas

on Interstate 15 south, then on Highway 160 west

to Tecopa Highway, which becomes the historic

Old Spanish Trail Highway. Watch for Furnace Creek

Road, turn left and follow the signs along the

unpaved China Ranch Road. Drive slowly enough

so the dust doesn’t hide the view of the canyon and

surrounding hills.

I visited China Ranch with a group of friends

missing the green of their native lands (East

Coasters) and weary of the blistering Mojave and its

sandy palette. They gasped when the tall imported

pines appeared dramatically like an Arabian Nights

Hollywood film set in the beige landscape.

First we hit one of the six hiking trails, the longest

one at about four miles. The trail markers can be

hard to spot, but I felt a pioneer spirit in discovering

the directional clues. You can choose your own

adventure, but tread lightly. We found ourselves

A DESERT TREATWANDERING FREE AT CHINA RANCH DATE FARM

B E C K Y B O S S H A R T

THESE PAGES: Gorgeous scenery on the farm ©China Ranch Date Farm

…the tall imported pines

appeared dramatically like an

Arabian Nights Hollywood film

set in the beige landscape.

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on the Slot Canyon Trail, walking over a fl at littered

with gypsum. We crossed a small riparian strip and

the Amargosa River, which looked more like a creek,

but I still soaked my shoes.

After picnicking, we hiked into the narrow rhyolite

rock canyon until we reached the 15-foot tall

boulders plugging the path. A few of my more

intrepid friends managed to summit a boulder

before we turned back. We came across railroad

ruins, historic mining cabins, and gaping portals

that once yielded gypsum or talc. The farm urges

visitors to come prepared for desert hiking.

I then spent some time engrossed in the small

rustic museum’s artifacts and photographs, and

learned about the Chinese man who fi rst settled

the area and was then run off it. There’s also the

story of Vonola Modine, a daughter of pioneer R.J.

Fairbanks, who ordered a crate of date pits from a

catalogue and planted them along the driveway

leading up to her home in the early 1920s. These

trees can still be seen today, the tallest palms on

the land. Vonola’s son was killed in a fi re, which

started her on a quest for enlightenment that took

her from a charismatic Christian community in

Los Angeles to a guru in India.

Surrounding the home is the date farm, where you

can wander at your leisure and note the diff erences

between the American honey date palm, the

Moroccan Medjool, and the Iraqi palm Barhi (this

one is much smaller, its bunches of dates touching

the ground). The female palms bear fruit in the fall,

yielding up to 300 pounds of dates.

The trail markers can be hard to

spot, but I felt a pioneer spirit in

discovering the directional clues.

China RanchInformation & Directions

For more information including directions visit chinaranch.com or call 760.852.4415.

If you’re going, you may also want to check out the natural mineral spring baths at Tecopa Hot Springs Resort. The resort, located just over 6 miles from China Ranch Date Farm, features centuries-old natural hot springs. Tecopa Hot Springs Resort offers massage, a meditative labyrinth, a cafe, local artwork, and more.

tecopahotsprings.org760.852.4420

cultu

reTHE CULTURAL SITE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM UNDER THE

PUBLIC LANDS INSTITUTE AT UNLV USES ADVENTUROUS

VOLUNTEERS TO MONITOR THE CONDITION OF ARCHEOLOGICAL

SITES THAT CAN BE THOUSANDS OF YEARS OLD. AS THE

COSMOPOLITAN’S ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE, STEVEN SPANN IS

EXPLORING THE INTERACTIVE POSSIBILITIES OF TRASH.

THIS PAGE: Protected petroglyphs ©Public Lands Institute

blvds cultureentertainment & activitiesARTICLES

Defenders of the SoilProtect and Preserve Our Ancient Past . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Steven Spann’s Excellent AdventureTurning Trash Into Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Upcoming EventsCheck Out the BLVDS Events Calendar for Upcoming Local Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

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Here’s a hypothetical scenario designed to test

your understanding of modern human nature:

Hiking through a remote patch of Clark County

desert one autumn afternoon, three men happen

upon a massive, craggy outcrop that appears to

have served as a makeshift shelter for a prehistoric

people. As they survey the surrounding area, they

find the rock formation is marked with intricate

petroglyphs, and that the ground nearby is littered

with fragments of primitive tools and utensils

carved from stone.

Gradually, it occurs to the men that they have

come across a site of some historical significance,

one that may have stood undiscovered—and

untouched—for thousands of years. Naturally,

they decide to: a) take note of their precise

location, snap a few photos, and report the finding

to the local university’s anthropology department;

b) leave the area exactly as they found it and

contact the U.S. Bureau of Land Management; or

c) toss the artifacts in a backpack and head back

to the Jeep.

If human beings were more reverent by nature,

and if Southern Nevada weren’t so rich in sites

of considerable archaeological interest, George

Phillips might not have a job to do.

But many of today’s amateur explorers, weekend

warriors, and random passersby can’t resist the

urge to leave their own special marks—or help

themselves to souvenirs—where ancestral peoples

have passed before. That’s why Phillips, project

manager of the Cultural Site Stewardship Program

at the Public Lands Institute at the University of

Nevada, Las Vegas, has his hands full monitoring

no fewer than 500 different cultural sites with

the help of several hundred dedicated local

volunteers.

“These sites are typically places where there’s

evidence of human habitation or existence over

the past 4,000 years or so,” Phillips explains.

“There may be petroglyphs chipped out of rock.

There may be artifacts lying around such as tools

or sometimes even wooden implements. A site

may be a shelter, or we may find old roasting

pits and prehistoric trash piles.” The program’s

aim, he says, is to preserve sites for their research

value: “The more we can study, the more artifacts

archaeologists have in context, undisturbed,

they can come up with a clearer picture of what

happened hundreds and thousands of years ago.”

Phillips bristles a bit when discussing the fact

that his program’s work is confidential by nature.

“The idea of secrecy makes people’s hair stand up,

especially people who don’t like the government

very much. They think we’re withholding

important information from the public. I just say

we’re ‘discreet’ and leave it that,” he says.

The reality, though, is that he can’t reveal the

precise locations of any of the sites under his

program’s watchful eye. Loose lips have, in the

past, led to costly slips. “One time, we had a terrific

place in an area known as Gold Butte, south of

Mesquite,” Phillips recalls. “This was a 360,000-acre

parcel of land that contained one very rich site,

a site that was really, really hard to get to. It was

down a wash, and you needed a four-wheel drive

to reach it.

“Well, one gentleman from St. George found out

about it, and he described the site location in a

local newspaper. By Saturday morning, when I

went over, there were 21 cars there. Since that

FACING PAGE: Ancient artwork ©Public Lands Institute

DEFENDERS OF THE SOILPROTECT AND PRESERVE OUR ANCIENT PAST

E R I C S C H E L L H O R N

“The more we can study, the more

artifacts archaeologists have in

context, undisturbed, they can

come up with a clearer picture

of what happened hundreds and

thousands of years ago.”

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time, all we’ve seen are more and more people

going in, and we’ve lost a lot.”

The presence of any kind of motor vehicle near

a site is one of the most troubling signs of

modern human meddling, he adds. “We’ve found

that if a motorized vehicle of any kind has come

within 100 feet of a site, it’s almost certain that

some destruction will occur. We’ll find graffiti,

and sometimes there are gunshots. It comes

down to people’s lack of education on the value

of these sites.”

To help prevent such destructive transgressions,

the 528 volunteers who serve as Phillips’s cultural

site stewards are assigned specific locations to

monitor. Often traveling in teams of three, they

trek out to their designated sites at least once

per quarter armed with cameras and a notebook

to observe any changes since their last check-in.

“If there’s a negative impact, they’ll take a fresh

picture and report back to us. If it’s serious, like

if there’s evidence of digging or looting, they

report vandalism to me, and I report it to law

enforcement so there can be an investigation,”

Phillips says.

The stewards themselves are a mix of amateur

archaeologists and other local residents from all

walks of life. “They put in a lot of hours and drive

a lot of miles. They’re very dedicated. These are

people with strong beliefs in preserving these

historic areas,” Phillips says.

“So much of the history is gone, but people don’t

realize how much is left,” says Mark Boatwright,

an archaeologist with the Bureau of Land

Management. “So site stewards perform an

invaluable service; they really are our eyes and

ears out in the field. They help us get a handle on

the effects of visitation, and they save me a great

deal of time I’d have to spend monitoring certain

sites myself. It’s amazing what they do,” he says.

For more information about the Cultural Site

Stewardship Program including how to get

involved, visit publiclands.unlv.edu or call

895.4863.

THIS PAGE FROM LEFT: Rock art ©Public Lands Institute

Looking for a not-so-secret spot where you and your family can view historically significant sites? Then plan a trip to Valley of Fire State Park in Overton. Among its unusual rock formations are Arch Rock and the sandstone formations known as Beehives. Recent history is accessible to visitors via Mouse’s Tank, a natural basin named for a renegade who use the area as a hideout in the 1890s. If you’re looking for more ancient sites, then climb the stairs to view stunning petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock.

Valley of Fire State Park29450 Valley of Fire Rd.Overton 89040397.2088parks.nv.gov

“We’ve found that if a motorized

vehicle of any kind has come

within 100 feet of a site, it’s

almost certain that some

destruction will occur. We’ll

fi nd graffi ti, and sometimes

there are gunshots.”

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For more than 10 years, Steven Spann was a

successful financial planner in Dallas. He had a

great job, wore expensive clothes, and drove a

late-model Corvette convertible. But, he wasn’t

really fulfilled by what he was doing.

One morning, his boss walked in and asked Spann

what percentage of his mind was on his job.

Without hesitating, Spann replied, “Thirty percent.”

His boss looked at him and said, “If you can’t get

in here one hundred percent, then get out one

hundred percent.” Spann got out.

Today he dresses in jeans and drives a beat-up old

cargo van, but The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’s

second artist-in-residence is happy and one

hundred percent committed to his work—painting

and art.

As The Cosmopolitan’s artist-in-residence, Spann

works in the resort’s P3 Studio, a combination

gallery/workspace on the third floor. Through its

partnership with New York City’s Art Production

Fund (a program dedicated to bringing art to

new audiences, to expanding awareness through

contemporary art, and to producing public art

projects), The Cosmopolitan’s artist-in-residence

program brings emerging and established

contemporary artists to the resort and invites

them to utilize space for creative production and

exhibition of their work. The artist-in-residence

program debuted when the resort opened on

December 15th with hip-hop artist and filmmaker

Fab 5 Freddy.

Artists are selected for the program based on

several criteria including how they propose to

use the studio space while in residency. The

Cosmpolitan also evaluates artists’ personalities

and consider how they will be able to interact with

guests. Of course, an artist’s work, both past and

present, is a key factor in the selection process.

The philosophy of the program is to include both

well-known and emerging artists.

During his residency at The Cosmopolitan, Spann

works on his Trash=Art exhibition. The resort’s

employees—and even its guests—bring him trash

STEVEN SPANN’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURETURNING TRASH INTO ART

C H R I S C U T L E R

THIS PAGE FROM LEFT: Artist Steven Spann; art supplies ©Chris Cutler

“If you can’t get in here one

hundred percent, then get out

one hundred percent.”

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to include in his artwork, and he keeps the trash

from each department separate from the others.

One piece, a triptych, is comprised solely of items

including boxes, papers, and a purloined rubber-

band ball brought to him by the employees of the

Droog Gallery. Yet another consisting of a large

foam-core poster covered with painted Sterno can

lids, is from the food and beverage department.

Spann’s ability and willingness to involve the

resort’s employees and guests are key components

of the artist-in-residence program, says Chris

Burns, Director of Content and Entertainment

Curation at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. He

says, ”When The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas first

began discussions with Steven Spann regarding

a sequel to his first Trash=Art exhibition (I saw

his first Trash=Art show at the World Market

Center and was very impressed by the work), I

was immediately drawn to his excitement around

layering on the interactivity with the audience

and the fact that this exhibition would engage

the entire Cosmopolitan community—our

employees, guests, and partners—in the creation

of art. This engagement of the audience is one of

the fundamental principles behind the artist-in-

residence program, and I think that what Steven is

doing here embodies that notion.”

Spann agrees and enjoys seeing what people

bring him and what they think once he’s used

their piece in his art. He says, “They’ll bring in

something like a gum wrapper or an old vodka

box. A couple of days or weeks later, they come

back in to see what I’ve done with it. That piece

of trash has changed from being something

one would normally ignore and discard to being

something of value as an element in a piece of

art. It has them thinking and talking, so it adds

another tier to their ‘participation’ in the process.

Interaction . . . interactivity is an amazing thing.”

Involving the resort’s guests in his art is a little

different than engaging the employees, as guests

don’t normally bring their trash to P3, so Spann

installed a Plexiglas box in the gallery and invited

people to write their most intimate secrets on a

slip of paper, anonymously, of course. Spann is

working the secrets—which include admissions as

mild as, “I have no secrets. . .except this one” and

“Life gets better with age! 55 is the best year yet”

to the more personal “My what-if turned into a

what-not-to-do” and “I don’t hate my job, just the

people I work with”—into a piece of art.

THIS PAGE: Work by Steven Spann ©Chris Cutler

“I was immediately drawn to

his excitement around layering

on the interactivity with the

audience and the fact that

this exhibition would engage

the entire Cosmopolitan

community—our employees,

guests, and partners—in the

creation of art.”

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While he admits to starting his artistic endeavors

with trash as a way to tidy-up his messy art studio,

Spann says that working with trash has made him

more aware of its environmental impact. There

are tons of trash that fill landfills, and he envisions

ways of working with our discards before it

become forgotten garbage polluting the earth.

“School art programs are getting their funding

slashed all over the country,” Span says. “I think

there’s a way we can take some of this material,

package it, and give it to art teachers to use. We’d

accomplish two things. We give the schools an

abundance of art supplies at no cost. We also

make the kids aware of what they can do with

stuff already at their disposal.”

Of course, the program would reduce the

environmental impact of that repurposed trash,

which, according to Burns, was part of the reason

The Cosmopolitan was interested in Spann’s

Trash=Art. “Being conscious about the impact that

we are having on the world around us is one of the

core values of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, so

the fact that we can take some of the waste from

the resort and transform it into art that can have a

long lasting, meaningful, and positive impact on

others is a great thing.”

When Spann leaves The Cosmopolitan of Las

Vegas’s P3 Studio, he’ll continue working on his

Trash=Art exhibit. He would like to spend a year

collecting every piece of trash he receives or

generates and use it in art. His goal is to not have

anything left at the end of the year that is not part

of one of the art pieces.

Spann’s departure will bring a third artist-in-

residence, California native and New York-based

artist Shelter Serra, to The Cosmopolitan. Serra

uses a wide range of media – drawing, print,

sculpture and video – and focuses on subjects that

are not only loaded with meaning and but also

possess an aesthetic quality. Exhibited at galleries

both nationally and internationally, Serra’s art

gives the viewer the opportunity to reflect upon

their surroundings.

Serra will be in residence April 13th to May 13th.

P3 Studio, on the third floor of the Cosmopolitan

is open 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday,

and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.

THIS PAGE FROM LEFT: Supplies from Marketing Department; the purloined rubberband ball ©Chris Cutler

“We’d accomplish two things.

We give the schools an

abundance of art supplies at no

cost. We also make the kids aware

of what they can do with stuff

already at their disposal.”

267-2171 • HENDERSONLIVE.COM

Presented in partnership with

Exhibit IQ

COME SEE THE BRIGHTSIDE OF SCIENCE

Learn about neon, argon, hydrogen and all the other gases in the periodic table with interactive displays, multimedia presentations and technology exhibits.

Galleria at Sunset • Thru May 15Mon-Sat: 10am - 8pm • Sun & Holidays: 12pm - 5pm

CLOSED EASTERLower level, near Dillard’s

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UPCOMING EVENTSCHECK OUT THE BLVDS EVENTS CALEN-DAR FOR UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

A P R I L

JeffreyNOW - APRIL 17, 2011Las Vegas Little Theatrelvlt.org

Beyond Words & Text: The Studio SeriesNOW - APRIL 17, 2011Nevada Balletnevadaballet.commyticketportal.com866-973-9610

A Gleeful Musical RevueNOW - APRIL 17, 2011CSNNicholas J. Horn Theatrecsn.edu/pac

Spin: The Science of RotationNOW - MAY 15, 2011Lied Discovery Children’s Museum382-KIDS, ldcm.org

In the DarkNOW - MAY 15, 2011Springs PreserveOrigen Museumspringspreserve.org

It’s A Gas! The Bright Side of ScienceNOW - MAY 15, 2011City of HendersonGalleria Mallhendersonlive.com

St. Matthew Passion, J.S. BachAPRIL 10, 20113 p.m.Southern Nevada Musical Arts SocietyUNLV Ham Hallsnmas.com

Meet Children’s Author Alexis O’NeilAPRIL 12, 20115:30 p.m.LV Clark County Library DistrictCentennial Hills Librarylvccld.org

2010-2011 Bennett Fellows in ConversationAPRIL 14, 20117 p.m.Black Mountain InstituteDoc Rando Recital Hallblackmountaininstitute.org

Peter Tork and Shoe Suede BluesAPRIL 15, 20118 p.m.Henderson Pavilionhendersonlive.com

Masterworks IVAPRIL 16, 20118 p.m.Las Vegas PhilharmonicArtemus W. Ham Halllasvegasphilharmonic.com

Henderson Heritage Parade & FestivalAPRIL 16, 2011City of Hendersonhendersonlive.com

UNLV Choral EnsemblesAPRIL 17, 20117:30 p.m.Green Valley Presbyterian Church Concert Series454-8484

C.D. WrightAPRIL 20, 20117 p.m.Black Mountain InstituteStudent Union Theatreblackmountaininstitute.org

Ubu RoiAPRIL 22 – MAY 07, 2011Insurgo Theaterinsurgotheater.org

Steven BishopAPRIL 22, 20118 p.m.Henderson Events Plazahendersonlive.com

Fiesta!APRIL 23, 20117:30 p.m.Nevada PopsArtemus W. Ham Concert Hallnevadapops.org

Paul TaylorAPRIL 23, 20118 p.m.Clark County Government Centerclarkcountynv.gov

Springs Preserve Egg-StravaganzaAPRIL 23, 201110 a.m. - 2 p.m.Springs Preservespringspreserve.org

The FalsettosAPRIL 28 – MAY 14, 20118 p.m.Onyx Theateronyxtheatre.com

Jesse CookAPRIL 28, 20117 p.m.Henderson Pavilionhendersonlive.com

Noises OffAPRIL 29 – MAY 08, 20112 or 8 p.m.Nevada Conservatory TheatreJudy Bayley Theatre895-2787, nct.unlv.edu

3rd Annual New Works CompetitionAPRIL 29 – MAY 16, 2011Las Vegas Little Theatrelvlt.org

The Van LearsAPRIL 29, 20118 p.m.Henderson Events Plazahendersonlive.com

Sugar RayAPRIL 29, 20118 p.m.Henderson Pavilionhendersonlive.com

Las Vegas Youth Orchestra Spring ConcertAPRIL 30, 20114 p.m.Artemus Ham Concert Halllvyo.org

Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz and R&B FestivalAPRIL 30 – MAY 01, 2011Clark County Government Center Amphitheateryourjazz.com

El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros FestivalAPRIL 30, 20114 p.m.LV Clark County Library DistrictLas Vegas Librarylvccld.org

Summerlin ArtwalkAPRIL 30 – MAY 01, 201110 a.m. - 5 p.m.Trails Village Centertrailsvillagecenter.com

M AY

”Spring Sing”- Chamber Chorale Community Outreach PerformanceMAY 01, 20114 p.m.Las Vegas Master Singerslvmastersingers.com

6th Annual Celebration of Life Live Butterfly Release – PahrumpMAY 01, 20112 p.m.Nathan Adelson HospiceIan Deutch Park938-3910

Lost in YonkersMAY 06 – 22, 2011Las Vegas Little Theatrelvlt.org

First FridayMAY 06, 2011Arts Districtfirstfriday-lasvegas.org

Spring Concert Series 2011MAY 06 – 08, 2011Las Vegas Contemporary Dance TheatreWest Las Vegas Library Theatrelvcontemporarydancetheater.org

Ryan Shupe & the RubberbandMAY 06, 20118 p.m.Henderson Events Plazahendersonlive.com

Want Even More Event Listings and Information? Visit BLVDSLV.COM and Select Calendar/Events.

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Art & All That JazzMAY 07 – 08, 201111 a.m. openHenderson Events Plaza & Henderson Convention Centerhendersonlive.com

Moms Rock Annual Mother’s Day TeaMAY 07, 201111 a.m. - 1 p.m.Child FocusSprings Preserve436-1624, childfocusnv.org

Brenda RussellMAY 07, 20118 p.m.Clark County Government Centerclarkcountynv.gov

Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre of New ZealandMAY 11, 20117 p.m.LV Clark County Library DistrictClark County Librarylvccld.org

Las Vegas Helldorado DaysMAY 12 – 15, 2011The Elks870-1221ElksHelldorado.com

Nevada Chamber SymphonyMAY 13, 20118 p.m.Henderson Events Plazahendersonlive.com

Annual Pops ConcertMAY 14 – 15, 20118 a.m. or 3 p.m.Southern Nevada Musical Arts SocietyCSN Horn Theatresnmas.com

9th Annual USN Scholarship GalaMAY 14, 20115:30 p.m.University of Southern NevadaMandarin Oriental Las Vegas968-2055, usn.edu

Southwest Symphony OrchestraMAY 14, 20118 p.m.Tanner AmphitheaterSpringdale, Utahdixie.edu/tanner/artists/index.html

Spyro GyraMAY 14, 20118 p.m.Clark County Government Centerclarkcountynv.gov

fresh52 One Year Anniversary FestivalMAY 15, 20118:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.Sansone Park Place9480 S. Eastern Ave.fresh52.com

A Choral RetrospectiveMAY 15, 20114 p.m.Las Vegas Master SingersChrist Church Episcopallvmastersingers.com

8th Annual John Anderson Celebration of Life Live Butterfly ReleaseMAY 15, 20112 p.m.Nathan Adelson HospiceBuckskin Basin Park938-3910, nah.org

Choreographers’ ShowcaseMAY 15 AND 22, 20111 p.m.Nevada Ballet and Cirque du SoleilAria531-3800, nevadaballet.org

Master Series IV: Season FinaleMAY 20, 20118 p.m.Henderson Symphony OrchestraHenderson Pavilionhsorch.org

Corssin DixonMAY 20, 20118 p.m.Henderson Events Plazahendersonlive.com

Henderson Symphony OrchestraMAY 20, 20118 p.m.Henderson Symphony OrchestraHenderson Pavilionhendersonlive.com

Masterworks VMAY 21, 20118 p.m.Las Vegas PhilharmonicArtemus W. Ham Halllasvegasphilharmonic.com

Lieto! VoicesMAY 21, 20118 p.m.Tanner AmphitheaterSpringdale, Utahdixie.edu/tanner/artists/index.html

Jeff Lorber FusionMAY 21, 20118 p.m.Clark County Government Centerclarkcountynv.gov

Memorial Day ExtravaganzaMAY 27, 20117:30 p.m.Nevada PopsArtemus W. Ham Concert Hallnevadapops.org

Premier Brass BandMAY 28, 2011Tanner AmphitheaterSpringdale, Utahdixie.edu/tanner/artists/index.html

J U N E

Tee Up for Kids Charity Golf TournamentJUNE 02, 20116:30 a.m.Public Education FoundationSpanish Trail Country Club799-1042, thepef.org

How I Became a PirateJUNE 03 – 12, 2011Rainbow Company Youth TheatreCharleston Heights Arts Centerrainbowcompany.org

First FridayJUNE 03, 2011Arts Districtfirstfriday-lasvegas.org

Larkin PoeJUNE 03, 20118 p.m.Henderson Events Plazahendersonlive.com

Live Orchestral Screening of Charlie Chaplin’s City LightsJUNE 03, 20118 p.m.Henderson Symphony OrchestraHenderson Pavilionhendersonlive.com

Sax PackJUNE 04, 20118 p.m.Clark County Government Centerclarkcountynv.gov

”The Road To China” - Bon Voyage ConcertJUNE 05, 20112 p.m.Las Vegas Youth OrchestraNicholas J. Horn Theatrelvyo.org

AnnieJUNE 08 – 25, 20118 p.m.Super Summer Theatresupersummertheatre.org

The GrascalsJUNE 10, 20118 p.m.Henderson Events Plazahendersonlive.com

Salt Lake Choral ArtistsJUNE 11, 20118 p.m.Tanner AmphitheaterSpringdale, Utahdixie.edu/tanner/artists/index.html

Sign up for Our Bi-Weekly Events Newsletter by Emailing [email protected] with SUBSCRIBE in the Subject Line.

de

sign

LEARN ABOUT PLANS FOR THE X TRAIN, RAIL SERVICE THAT WILL

CARRY VISITORS FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO LAS VEGAS

IN HIGH STYLE FOR A LOW PRICE AND ZERO TRAFFIC DELAYS.

THE RED ROCK CLIMBING CENTER OFFERS ADVENTURE MADE

TO ORDER FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS FROM BEGINNER TO THE

EXPERT CLIMBER.

THIS PAGE: X Train sports bar ©CSD Architects

blvds designarchitecture & styleARTICLES

X TrainOn Track for Travel in Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Adventure By DesignRed Rock Climbing Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

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FACING PAGE: Fremont East by day ©Alex Rodriguez

If you’re going to dream, you might as well dream

big. And that is exactly what the creators of the

passenger rail concept known as X Train have

done. And, they’ve enlisted local architecture firm

Carpenter-Sellers-Del Gatto to help them bring

those dreams to life.

X Train plans to provide round-trip service

between Las Vegas and Fullerton, California, for

$99 round-trip. While the price may seem rock

bottom, the experience of the passengers will

be top notch. As architect Rob Gurdison, Jr., who

worked on the project puts it, “When someone

gets on the train in Fullerton, that’s when their

Vegas experience begins. We’re bringing Las Vegas

to their doorstep.”

While the X Train will utilize existing conventional

railroad tracks, the converted passenger cars

will be anything but conventional. In addition

to luxuriously appointed standard seats, plans

include amenities such as a casino car, a sports bar

car, a world-class dining car, and private cars that

can be used for business meetings or parties.

Each of these stunning spaces is contained in

within the predetermined 8 feet by 80 feet of a

railcar. Explains architect Mike Del Gatto, “You’re

not designing something that you can adjust your

aspect ratio to fit your needs. You’ve got to make it

work. It’s about that image that paints a picture of

what X Train can be.”

Designing the X Train has been a unique process

including site assessments and designs of the

stations, station maintenance sites, and the exterior

of the train, in addition to designs and concepts for

the interiors. Says Gurdison, “It’s different designing

something that is kinetic, that moves.”

Factors such as spills, clean-up, vibration,

movement, momentum, food and beverage

service are all constraints that must be addressed.

“In those constraints, we see two roads: one is

that it’s a design opportunity—an opportunity to

do something awesome. The second is to ask if

the constraint is malleable or if it can be broken,”

X TRAINON TRACK FOR TRAVEL IN STYLE

K I M B E R LY S C H A E F E R

THESE PAGES: Passenger coach; private meeting car ©CSD Architects

“When someone gets on the

train in Fullerton, that’s when

their Vegas experience begins.

We’re bringing Las Vegas to

their doorstep.”

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Gurdison continues. In the case of X Train, the

tracks between here and California are in place.

They are a constraint that cannot be broken.

The architects see the experience of working within

the constraints of the X Train project as having

improved their creative process. “It’s enabled us to

re-look at how we do things. It opens a lot of doors

for us,” says Del Gatto. He also says that having his

client’s trust throughout the process has been very

liberating for them in their design process. “They

would come to us with an idea like the sports bar

and say, ‘We need a sports bar car. Blow it out, make

it cool.’ So we had to put our thinking caps on to

make those things a reality.”

Having a “there’s-no-stupid-idea” outlook is also an

essential part of the fi rm’s design process. “You never

know where a great idea is going to come from. We

don’t see ourselves as the idea-generators. We like to

see ourselves as fostering an environment where all

ideas can come in and we can have proper analysis

of each idea,” says Gurdison.

X Train developers are looking at locating the Las

Vegas station at the soon-to-be-refurbished Plaza

Hotel & Casino downtown. The proposed schedule

would provide daily service to and from Las Vegas

with a projected travel time of approximately five

and one half hours. Of course, that travel time

would not be impacted by the surging numbers

of cars on Interstate 15 on weekends and holidays,

thus allowing visitors to avoid the all-too-common

traffic delays that occur along the route.

If dreams come true, thousands of visitors from

Southern California will soon be streaking across

the desert in style. All aboard the X Train.

For more information about X Train visit

xtrainvegas.com.

For more information about Carpenter-Sellers-Del

Gatto Architects visit csdarchitecture.com.

By The Numbers

Distance from Las Vegas to Fullerton, CA: 257 miles

Drive Time:4 hours 16 minutes(in a perfect world–no stops and no traffic)

Gas Prices:Nevada Average $3.76 California Average $4.03

Proposed X Train Ticket Price:$99 roundtrip

X Train Travel Time:5 hours 30 minutes

Follow X Train

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K I M B E R LY S C H A E F E R

Looking to climb out of your rut? Then look no further than Red

Rock Climbing Center. Designed 15 years ago by highly-regarded

climbers Tony Yaniro and Doug Englekirk, the center still thrills

climbers of all ages. Says Manager Bill McLemore, “Climbers still

come in here every day and are just blown away by what we have

to offer.”

Red Rock Climbing Center features 35-foot-high walls; 8,000

square feet of climbing terrain; 1,000 square feet of roof climbing;

and 2,500 square feet of bouldering. That’s enough to get even a

dedicated couch potato excited about trying something new.

And those new to the sport of climbing need not be intimidated by

this amazing facility. With “learn to climb” classes on Wednesdays

at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., it’s easy to get started.

Children can exercise their natural inclination to “monkey around”

at the center, too. There are special kids’ climb times, the Wall

Lizards Climbing Club for children ages 5 to 11 years old, and the

Junior Climbing Club for kids who are dedicated to advancing in

the sport. There is even a party room hidden behind a rock wall

where little adventurers can celebrate their birthdays.

The center isn’t only a place to learn, and climbing indoors isn’t

the only adventure to be had here. Seasoned climbers come here

to practice before heading out to scramble up real rock walls. Red

Rock Climbing Center also provides guided climbs at Red Rock.

Memberships for adults and children, daily passes, and gear rentals

are all available.

Red Rock Climbing Center 8201 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 150 Las Vegas 89117 254.5604 redrockclimbingcenter.com Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

ADVENTURE BY DESIGNRED ROCK CLIMBING CENTER

top

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NINA RADETICH

LIVE @ 11:00

Making Las Vegas A Better Place To Live!

For story ideas, or if youhave a problem you can’tsolve, e-mail us at:[email protected]

Please StayOn The TrailsThe Desert Conservation Program and its partnerspromote responsible use of our desert resources.

www.accessclarkcounty.com or www.mojavemax.com

flavor

WAZUZU’S EXECUTIVE CHEF JET TILA TAKES US TO CHINATOWN

AND REFLECTS ON HIS CULTURE AND ITS CUISINE. SOMETIMES

A GREAT ADVENTURE CAN BE FOUND IN A RESTAURANT YOU

HAVEN’T TRIED, WITH FOOD YOU CAN’T PRONOUNCE. OUR

INTREPID WRITER HAS BLAZED THE TRAIL FOR YOU AND REPORTS

ON FOUR UNIQUE CULINARY DESTINATIONS.

THIS PAGE: Chef Jet Tila in Chinatown ©Maria Phelan

blvds flavordining & retailARTICLES

Chinatown With Jet TilaLocal Chef Talks Culture and Cuisine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Exotic EatsAdventurous Dining Here at Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

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B R O C K R A D K E

CHINATOWN WITH JET TILALOCAL CHEF TALKS CULTURE AND CUISINE

Our ever-growing Chinatown is without

question the most eclectic and interesting food

neighborhood in Las Vegas. Every imaginable

genre of Asian food is available up and down

Spring Mountain Rd., some of it simple and

familiar and some exotic and complex. It is a true

food adventure, but that’s only one of the reasons

why Jet Tila is here.

On the Strip, Jet is the executive chef at Wazuzu,

the popular Pan-Asian bistro at Encore. But here

in Chinatown—more specifically, at the delicious

Monta Noodle House—he’s merely another

Las Vegan (actually, he lives in Henderson) who is

happy to squeeze into a tiny, packed restaurant for

a rich bowl of fresh Japanese ramen in pork broth.

We’re also sharing potstickers and sour, savory

kimchi fried rice, and Jet’s joking about starting

a TV show where he travels the world, Anthony

Bourdain-style, documenting great ramen around

the globe. It’s easy to forget this guy is a rising star

in the culinary world, that he’s been on Bourdain’s

show. He’s just another local eating noodles.

Besides its great food, Las Vegas’ Chinatown is a

cultural touchstone for Jet. It connects him to his

family, his Los Angeles roots, and beyond. “I’ve

been to Chinatown in maybe 20 different cities.

Vegas Chinatown is very respectable,” he says.

“For me, it’s absolutely an asset. I literally grew up

in a grocery store. Without Chinatown, I couldn’t

re-create my food, but I can do it anywhere in

America because of places like this.”

Jet’s cooking career has been quite an adventure,

mostly by design. Every chef will tell you that they

grew up around food, but his life has revolved

around it. His family operates L.A.’s Royal Thai

restaurants and opened the Bangkok Market,

the first Thai grocery store in the country. Work

in the family business translated into culinary

school, and then other experiments, like teaching

backyard cooking classes.

Wherever the adventure takes him, Jet holds fast

to his own style, rooted in family and tradition.

“I am a new generation kid that cooks old

generation food,” he says. “I don’t try to fusion it.

I’m trying to remake and chase what my family’s

been doing and what my ancestors were doing for

hundreds and hundreds of years. That’s interesting

to me. I’m wondering, what did my grandma’s

grandma cook? I’m trying to find her by cooking.

I’m not trying to be anything else.”

His professional background is varied and non-

traditional for a Vegas Strip chef, and that’s why

he was slightly surprised when his tryout for Wynn

executives was successful enough to land the spot

at Wazuzu, which he opened at Encore in 2008.

He cooks, travels, consults, writes, and appears on

TV quite frequently, and he does all these things

all the time. Yet he still finds time to go to lunch in

Chinatown, like a regular guy.

Jet has a handful of favorite spots here, restaurants

and great Asian markets, like 99 Ranch in the

original Chinatown Plaza. “This is where I shop,”

he says. “There are 99 Ranch Markets everywhere.

I’m comfortable with them. I know the brand, and

they actually do business with my family.”

FACING PAGE: Jet at Sam Woo BBQ ©Maria Phelan

“I am a new generation kid that

cooks old generation food. I

don’t try to fusion it. I’m trying

to remake and chase what my

family’s been doing and what

my ancestors were doing for

hundreds and hundreds of years.”

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Just next door is Sam Woo BBQ restaurant, another

staple in both L.A. and here locally. “It’s not a

coincidence that 99 Ranch Market and Sam Woo

BBQ are always together,” Jet says, and he’s right.

James Chen, the primary investor who opened

Chinatown Plaza in 1994 is from L.A. and wisely

used businesses like these two to anchor the

Las Vegas development.

The highly acclaimed Raku, next door to Monta,

might be Jet’s favorite local restaurant. “I also like

K & J Kitchen, for great straight Cantonese food,

and Hong Kong Star, I eat there a lot. Hue Thai has

probably the best banh mi sandwiches in town.”

He’s also a big fan of the Japanese-inspired burger

truck Fukuburger, a regular in the Chinatown

area. In fact, he jumped on the truck and helped

cook a pop-up dinner in December, hardly typical

behavior from a Strip chef.

It’s clear that Jet’s eff orts to get a deeper

understanding of, and connection to, Las Vegas

are sincere. “I’m just interested,” he says. “I’m an

adventurer.” But it goes beyond that. He is moving

quickly toward big things in the pop food world. His

name will soon be familiar to many more people.

Today, he is just like so many of us who live in

Las Vegas: a regular guy with a really cool job.

He says, “Without alienating myself from the Strip,

that’s not reality. This is reality. Hanging out with

friends. Supporting the burger stands. Supporting

community. I can’t take whatever I can from

this city and not give anything back. It’s not

my personality.”

“This is reality. Hanging out with

friends. Supporting the burger

stands. Supporting community.

I can’t take whatever I can from

this city and not give anything

back. It’s not my personality.”

Want to check out Jet’s Chinatown favorites? Here’s where to go:

Monta Noodle House5030 Spring Mountain Rd.Las Vegas 89146367.4600

99 Ranch Market4155 Spring Mountain Rd.Las Vegas 89102364.889999ranch.com

Sam Woo BBQ4215 Spring Mountain Rd.Las Vegas 89102368.7628

K & J Kitchen5960 Spring Mountain Rd.Las Vegas 89146 221.0456

HK Star Cantonese Restaurant3400 S. Jones Blvd. #15Las Vegas 89146220.3388

Hue Thai5115 Spring Mountain Rd.Las Vegas 89146943.8872

Fukuburgerfukuburger.com

Or venture down to the Strip to try the Chef’s own creations:

WazuzuLocated inside Encore3131 Las Vegas Blvd. SouthLas Vegas 89109248.DINEwynnlasvegas.com

You can follow Chef Jet on his culinary adventures:@jettila on Twitter

THIS PAGE: Seafood at 99 Ranch Market ©Maria Phelan

MOXIE (mäk-sē) noun,1. energy, pep

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J I L L I A N P L A S T E R

EXOTIC EATS

The exotic eatery Merkato is an understated Ethiopian restaurant. Ethiopian cuisine leans toward

vegetarian dishes, so the menu has more than a few preparations of lentils, cabbage, and beets. Meat

dishes are heavily spiced and flavorful, but shy away from the stews as they are a bit chewy. All dishes are

served on a huge pancake shaped bread called injera, a spongy, yeast-risen flatbread made from teff flour.

This functional staple is torn off in pieces and used as the primary utensil (although forks are available

upon request). Don’t miss the terrific, large lentil empanada served with bebere, a house-made pepper

sauce, for only $1.

Merkato 855 E. Twain Ave., Las Vegas 89162; 796.1231

Soyo is a new, hip Korean “barstaurant” outfitted with old school video games, anime DVDs, and a giant

chalkboard featuring their large beer selection. Soyo’s menu is easy to interpret, making eating adventurously

fun rather than challenging. Try the kimchee pancake or the bibimbap, an authentic dish of white rice, beef,

julienned vegetables, and an egg accompanied by a sweet, spicy sauce and served in a hot stone pot. The pot

crisps the rice at the bottom, giving the dish textural complexity and added flavor. All meals are accompanied

by banchan, or mini side dishes, giving you an extra little bit of adventure at no additional cost. The selection

ranges from seaweed and fishcakes to cold mashed potatoes and kimchi.

Soyo 7775 S. Rainbow Blvd. #105, Las Vegas 89139; 897.7696

Raku is becoming a household name in Las Vegas, and for good reason. A wide variety of reasonably

priced small plates are served at this sophisticated Japanese bistro, making it the best place for

sampling authentic dishes such as beef gut soup and pigs’ ears. A secret dinner showcasing turtle

is even available with some notice. Many items are cooked on a charcoal grill called a robata which

imparts a distinct charred flavor to the food. Even the most adventurous of eaters shouldn’t leave

without getting the mundane sounding Sashimi Salad ($9) and the ever-popular Agedashi tofu ($9).

Raku 5030 Spring Mountain Road #2, Las Vegas 89146; 367.3511; raku-grill.com

Forte specializes in European tapas and caters to a younger crowd with its eccentric decor and dark

lounge-like feel. The menu is broken down by European country and their corresponding regional

specialties. Under Russia, you won’t find any caviar or borscht, but you will find adjarkski kachapurri,

which goes down the hatch more easily than it rolls off the tongue ($6.99). This consists of a freshly

baked bread loaf akin to a short, fat baguette that is hollowed in the center and stuffed with cheese,

butter, and a raw egg. The egg is mixed in tableside and is cooked by the heat of the bread, turning the

dish into a protein-filled, vegetarian-friendly dish. If you’re a meat eater, don’t miss out on the extensive

variety of Spanish sausages ($2.50 each).

Forte 4180 S. Rainbow Blvd., Las Vegas 89103; 220.3876

W H E N YO U C A N ’ T E X P E R I E N C E A C U LT U R E B Y T R AV E L I N G , I M M E R S E YO U R S E L F T H R O U G H F O O D B Y S A M P L I N G S O M E U N I Q U E E AT S T H AT W I L L S P I C E U P YO U R G A S T R O N O M I C L I F E A N D B R O A D E N YO U R C U L I N A R Y H O R I Z O N S . N E X T T I M E YO U ’ R E F E E L I N G A D V E N T U R O U S , T R Y O N E O F T H E S E U N U S U A L R E S TA U R A N T S F E AT U R I N G A U T H E N T I C C U I S I N E F R O M A S I A , A F R I C A , A N D E A S T E R N E U R O P E .

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Documents

BLVDS Las Vegas Magzine issue 25 Adventure