Category Archives: Las Vegas

Robert Franklin / AP

Oral Roberts players and coaches celebrate after beating Ohio State in a first-round game in the NCAA mens college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette,Ind.

By Case Keefer (contact)

Sunday, March 21, 2021 | 2 a.m.

Handicapping second-round games involving mid-major teams that pull off major first-round upsets is always a tricky equation.

Its even trickier this college basketball season given the diminished non-conference schedule, and therefore, fewer data points of where teams from other conferences fit in with each other.

Is Oral Roberts, which shocked Ohio State as 15-point underdogs, just a lot better than expected in general? Is the same true of North Texas, which dispatched Purdue as 7.5-point underdogs? Or was the betting market just too high on the Buckeyes and Boilermakers Big Ten Conference?

More evidence to use towards finding answers is coming today with the start of the round of 32. As far as Oral Roberts and North Texas, Im believing in one more than the other as they continue their tournament journeys today.

Read below for picks on all of Sundays round of 32 games, separated into three confidence categories and listed in rough order of confidence.

No. 1 seed Illinois -7 vs. No. 8 Loyola Chicago, over/under: 133.5. Loyola is no longer the cute underdog story trying to dismantle the powers at be. The Ramblers are one of the powers at be. Theyve graded out as one of the most efficient teams in the nation all season and should only be this big of an underdog to one team Gonzaga. Sell high on Illinois because its recent run has inflated this number beyond reason. Play: Loyola Chicago +7.

No. 3 seed Arkansas +1.5 vs. No. 6 seed Texas Tech, over/under: 140.5. Texas Tech has gotten by all year by being a well-coached team that doesnt make a lot of mistakes. Now the Red Raiders have to take on a Razorbacks team thats well-coached, doesnt make a lot of mistakes and has a whole lot of talent. Because they werent fully healthy until late in the year, Arkansas doesnt get the credit for the caliber of players on its roster. The Razorbacks should be the favorite here. Play: Arkansas +1.5.

No. 5 seed Villanova -6.5 vs. No. 13 seed North Texas, over/under: 126.5. North Texas record may not have indicated as much but its more dangerous than Winthrop, and thats not revisionist history based on what happened in the round of 64. Villanova handled Winthrop but not all that convincingly, ultimately pulling away for a 73-63 win and cover as 6.5-point favorites. Against better competition today, the Wildcats shouldnt be favored by the same amount. Play: North Texas +6.5.

No. 1 seed Baylor -6.5 vs. No. 9 seed Wisconsin, over/under: 137.5. Lets hope Wisconsin saved some baskets after shooting North Carolina out of Mackey Arena in an 85-62 stomping on Friday. As long as the Badgers dont go completely cold on offense a real concern with this team they are set up to give the Bears all they can handle. Wisconsins defense, pace and smarts should frustrate Baylor. The opening line of -5.5 seemed closer to the true price. Play: Wisconsin +6.5.

No. 3 seed West Virginia -3.5 vs. No. 11 seed Syracuse, over/under: 148. If this number had stayed on 3 instead of swelling immediately, this would be higher up on the list. The half-point makes it a bit harder, but the Mountaineers remain the only way to look. Syracuse played its best game of the season in swallowing up San Diego State defensively and hitting seemingly every shot in a 78-62 win as 3-point underdogs. Thats not a true reflection of the Orange; this is a team thats gone cold on both sides regularly throughout the season. West Virginia came out sluggish in its 84-67 win over Morehead State as 13-point favorites but got into rhythm in the second half a rhythm that will be too much for the Orange if the Mountaineers can carry it over. Lean: West Virginia -3.5.

No. 7 seed Florida -8 vs. No. 15 seed Oral Roberts, over/under: 148. Ohio State didnt have the defensive pieces to adjust effectively to the Kevin Obanor-led Oral Roberts onslaught on Friday. Florida will on Sunday. The Gators have their issues but theyve been consistently tough to score on throughout the season. Oral Roberts defense leaves much to be desired, hence Ohio State nearly completing its comeback, with the Tre Mann-Colin Castelton duo likely taking advantage. Lean: Florida -8.

No. 2 seed Houston -8.5 vs. No. 10 seed Rutgers over/under: 132. On the one hand, Rutgers will slow this game down and at the least make it tough for Houston to cover a big number. On the other, Houston wants to play at that pace anyway and is better at it than anyone in the nation. Im not interested in betting against the Cougars unless their power rating elevates to a point where selling is the only option. Thats not the case here. Lean: Houston -8.5.

No. 4 seed Oklahoma State -6 vs. No. 12 seed Oregon State, over/under: 142. Even at its best, Oklahoma State hasnt blown out many opponents this year. The Cowboys dont have any wins as dominant as two of the Beavers last three 70-56 over Tennessee as 8.5-point underdogs and 75-64 over Oregon as 8.5-point underdogs. That being said, Oregon State doesnt have anyone who can slow Cade Cunningham if he plays anywhere near his best. You might be better off flipping a coin here. Guess: Oregon State +6.

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [emailprotected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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NCAA Tournament by the odds: Vegas picks and preview of Sunday's round of 32 - Las Vegas Sun

Asking Whats your sign? at a bar has a whole new meaning at hot spot The Dorsey. Share your zodiac sign and a little bit about your personality with the bartender, and theyll whip you up one of 12 new drinks dedicated to each sign of the zodiac calendar. Theres also a Social Hour menu, too, from opening till 8 p.m., with specialty cocktails like the Snow Queen daiquiri (made with Belvedere Lake Bartezek vodka, Diving Into Hampton Water ros, lime and simple syrup) for $14 each.

The Venetian, 702.414.1945

Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. As part of your subscription, each week via email you will receive the latest edition of Las Vegas Magazine, full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.

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Enjoy curated cocktails at The Dorsey in Las Vegas - Lasvegasmagazine

Imagine taking a drive toward Las Vegas at sunset.

The light has started to dip behind the horizon, filling the air with pastel shades pink and purple. The desert landscape stretches before you, eternal, spotted with surprising bursts of green from cactuses and shrubs. Then, you see it: the hazy glow of Las Vegas lights in the distance.

Thats the feeling Virgin Hotels Las Vegas wants to give its guests when they step inside the newly renovated resort-casino. The property, set to open at 6 p.m. Thursday, has combined modern with midcentury; floral with industrial; loud, colorful pieces with white space.

A lot of the inspiration really came early on from the travel that you would see as you came to Las Vegas through the desert, said Gary Scott, chief operating officer for JC Hospitality, the hotels operator. Youre going to see a lot of greenery but its light, its fresh and its airy. And really, it embodies the spirit you might have found at Palms Springs years ago.

The hotel will be put to the test by opening mid-pandemic, but management says theyre ready to usher in guests to experience the newest product in Las Vegas tourist corridor.

Reimagining the property

A lot has changed inside the off-Strip property since Feb. 3, 2020, when it closed its doors as the Hard Rock Hotel for good. Thirteen months, $200 million and one global pandemic later, the property is ready to welcome back guests.

Food and beverage options have been updated. A tribal enterprise is heading the casino. And theres not a single guitar in sight.

We really wanted to reidentify the property and make sure we gave Virgin Hotels Las Vegas its own history moving forward, Scott said.

The property hopes the design captures the attention of travelers from all over the world: Leisure and business travelers. International tourists from Asia and Europe. West Coast drive ins.

You have everything coming into Vegas, David Givens, vice president of hotel operations for Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, said during a tour of the property. (Were marketing) anywhere from the 25- to 48-year-olds with disposable income.

Gaming Consultant Josh Swissman of The Strategy Organization said the venues design should have no trouble attracting Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980, and older millennials.

It has a relaxed, kind of spa-like feel to it, Swissman said. Thats good because its a specific design strategy, but it also caters to a broad range of consumers across the country and across the globe. Theyve got enough going for them to attract all types of customers.

UNLV Assistant Professor of Hospitality Amanda Belarmino, a Gen Xer herself, also sees the property being popular among her generation, especially since this age group is already familiar with the Virgin Hotels brand.

Thats a crowd that has more disposable income, she said. (But) this is something thats exciting for the entire city. Theres going to be a lot of locals in there the first weeks to dine, to look around, and to see whats going on.

Macquarie analyst Chad Beynon said resort renovations dont always equate to success, but there has been a history of new or updated offerings near the Strip attracting droves of visitors. Virgin Hotels could be exceptionally alluring since there hasnt been a new resort opening on the Strip since the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in 2010.

Its been the If you built it, they will come (mentality in Las Vegas), Beynon said. Thats why there were so many new hotels built in the 90s and early 2000s. Every property you opened essentially increased the visitation to the market and people wanted to see that new, shiny item. Having Virgin open this spring and Resorts World this summer would be a huge positive.

Changes inside the casino

Virgins 60,000-square-foot casino relatively small by Las Vegas standards will be the first operated in Las Vegas by a tribal casino enterprise.

Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, operated by Connecticuts Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, was licensed by the Nevada Gaming Commission in October, and Joe Hasson, a 40-year casino veteran who once worked at Station Casinos, is its general manager.

Hasson said 90 percent of the casino workforce are returnees from the Hard Rock days.

Certainly over the 25 years that this resort previously existed, there was a fabulous, veteran, talented workforce here, Hasson said during a recent tour of the property. On the casino side, 90 percent of those team members are rejoining us and nothing could please me more.

Hasson said the casino will offer about a 50-50 split of slot machines that were at the old Hard Rock casino and new, updated video machines that are eye candy screaming out for attention. About 650 slot machines and 44 table games will dot the casino floor.

Virtually every slot machine is protected on two sides with plexiglass.

Of course, I look forward to the day where medical science comes to the rescue and I dont have to do that, Hasson said. Theyre easy enough to remove when that day comes. In an abundance of public safety, I want to start with it on virtually every slot machine.

Theres a high-limit section with higher play limits and slot denominations.

In an area once occupied by the Heat Bar is a semi-public anteroom for highly rated players.

Were in a position where we can take care of a discerning guest before were ready to take them up to the 16th floor of the Ruby Tower and a private salon, Hasson said.

Virgins casino will have a small sportsbook that wont be operational until the second quarter of 2021. It will be operated by Betfred Sports, a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Betfred Group, a United Kingdom-based bookmaker that owns and operates more than 1,500 betting shops in the United Kingdom. Betfred has yet to be licensed by Nevada regulators, but Swissman described the company as a top-notch operator in other jurisdictions.

Theyre an international company thats relatively established and well-known, but not super established in the U.S., he said. But what a vote of confidence to have Virgin and Mohegan Sun behind you and having you operate their sportsbook.

Hasson isnt worried about the small size of the sportsbook, noting that most sports bettors make their wagers on cellphone apps and Betfred will have one of those.

They are still working their way through licensing and suitability with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Hasson said of Betfred. While everything is illuminated and ready to go, we expect to be able to take wagers in the second quarter of 2021. We cant get them fully to the starting gate by March 25, but as their licensing and suitability is completed, well turn on the book.

One thing the Virgin casino wont have is a poker room. Mohegan Sun executives told the Gaming Control Board there werent any immediate plans for poker at the property.

Spirit of Aquai

Hasson said the Mohegan Tribe will bring a cultural philosophy to the property that considers the long term.

The tribe calls it the Spirit of Aquai, a centuries-old guiding philosophy that encourages a warm and welcoming atmosphere, passionate and dedicated employees based on mutual respect, providing outstanding service that goes above the beyond and building productive long-term relationships.

Mohegan would bring the experience of operating casinos in nine properties in eight jurisdictions, with 25 million annual visitors, 4,600 hotel rooms by 2023, more than 110 restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and more than 22,000 employees by 2025.

In addition to its flagship Mohegan Sun property in Uncasville, Connecticut, which opened in 1996, the tribe operates the Ilani tribal casino in Ridgefield, Washington; the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana; Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City; Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; the Fallsview Resort Hotel and the Casino Niagara in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Canada.

Dont sleep on Mohegan Sun, said Nehme E. Abouzeid, president of consulting firm LaunchVegas. Yes, they will be the first tribe to operate in the Las Vegas resort corridor, but they are no stranger to the casino business. They have been expanding in the U.S. beyond their original Connecticut resort that everyone knows. And they are even building an integrated resort in Greece.

Gaming analyst Brendan Bussmann, director of government affairs for Las Vegas-based Global Market Advisors LLC, said the multiple loyalty affiliations will help the property grab market share.

Virgin has a lot of tools in its shed to attract customers between Mohegan that has a good database from the Northeast and the two hotel databases between Hilton and Virgin, he said. These will all be positives as consumers and business customers return to the destination in addition to a fresh product in the market. I think it is great timing for the opening of this property.

Mohegan also has a global reach that cant be ignored.

The entrance of a Mohegan as a casino manager shows that operators still want to be able to have a Nevada gaming license and the power it still holds for other destinations in the United States and around the globe, Bussmann said. Mohegan continues to try and go after international developments such as those in South Korea and Greece while also looking at Japan with its partnership with Oshidori.

Mohegan has a loyalty club program called Momentum, and that, Hasson thinks, will help draw customers from casinos where Mohegan already operates because points will be transferable and transportable.

Other loyalty programs operated through the Hilton Curio Collection Hilton Honors and Virgin Hotels should also draw customers.

In this integrated resort, consider that were a group of operators Hilton with the Curio Collection, Virgin Hotels, Mohegan Sun, AEG Presents, a fabulous array of restaurateurs, all under one roof, Hasson said. That alone is enough, I think, to serve as a terrific magnet for people to say, I need to try that. I need to experience that.

Still to come

Virgin Hotels opens its doors to the public next week, but its official grand opening has been delayed because of the pandemic. Richard Boz Bosworth, president and CEO of JC Hospitality, said the typical celebratory event will come at a later date, once its safer.

Certain venues and amenities also will be absent on Thursday. The Betfred sportsbook isnt set to open until summer, a second sports betting venue called Money, Baby! should open mid-spring, and the property aims to have its dayclub open in time for Memorial Day weekend. Visitors will need to wait to see the opening of the propertys live music club 24 Oxford, Kassi Beach Club, resort pool theater and two food options: Olives and Afters Ice Cream.

Scott said some of the offerings on the event lawn built atop the Hard Rock Hotels Rehab pool party venue will be worth the wait.

Weve got a considerable amount of investment going into the backyard, he said. The pools are being completely reimagined.

Virgin Hotels operators also have the return of convention and meeting business to look forward to.

Flexibility will be the key to Virgins convention and meeting space, which also will double as an entertainment venue.

Lia Rispoli, vice president of events, sales and services for Virgin Las Vegas, said The Manor includes 130,000 square feet of indoor space, five acres of pool deck space and an outdoor event lawn.

If you can dream it, we can do it, Rispoli said during a tour.

The Manor will schedule a mix of concerts, special events as well as private and corporate meetings. Rispoli isnt worried about whether meetings and trade shows will return.

The feedback from corporate clients is that as much as they managed to figure out how to do it virtually, theres something missing with it and they want to come back to meeting again, she said.

The Manor can hold up to 10,000 participants at a time.

Rispoli said a big advantage Virgin will have is that our stuff is right on top of each other, meaning that there is less likelihood that conventioneers will drift away to the casino or restaurants because groups will move together within the venue.

In addition to the space at The Manor, the events staff will have access to Virgins as-yet-unnamed theater, known as The Joint in the Hard Rock days.

Rispoli said she expects to host some small board meetings in April and May before large-scale trade shows and conferences come back in June. She said the convention calendar is strong for late 2021 as well as 2022 and 2023.

^

Contact Bailey Schulz at bschulz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @bailey_schulz on Twitter. Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.

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Virgin Hotels set to open Thursday. Heres what to expect. - Las Vegas Review-Journal

The beauty of the Strip is that a night in Vegas could easily feel like a night in Venice, New York City or some other oft-romanticized place that isnt the little desert town youre currently visiting.

Well, at Mon Ami Gabi, youll be transported to a charming Parisian restaurant, which all at once feels like a casual French caf and a chic, fine-dining establishment. If youre lucky to snag a seat on the patio, youll think youre dining at an authentic French bistro. Whats not so authentic, but still amazing, is the incredible view of the Fountains of Bellagio across the street.

When dining, obvious selections include the prime steak frites and trout almondine, but youd feel equally satisfied ordering the cavatelli pasta with tiger shrimp or the seared salmon with confit potatoes. Pair a meal with a delectable little gem salad and a glass of French wine.

Paris, 702.944.4224

Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. As part of your subscription, each week via email you will receive the latest edition of Las Vegas Magazine, full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.

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Taste the beaucoup flavors at Mon Ami Gabi in Las Vegas - Lasvegasmagazine

Division: FlyweightResult: Bruno Silva def. JP Buys via TKO (punch) Round 2, 2:56Record: (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)Grade: D

JP Buys first taste of the UFC octagon ended with a swift kick to the groin, then a poke in the eye as he found himself on the receiving end of two first-round fouls from Silva in their flyweight bout. By the end of the fight, Buys was also feeling the pain of defeat after being stopped by the Brazilian.

Buys was on the back foot throughout his debut as Silva edged the striking exchanges and had the upper hand during the scrambles on the mat through Round 1, though Buys did briefly threaten with a Kimura while trying to fend off the relentless Brazilian. He was also dropped with a spinning backfist in the final second of the round.

Things didnt get much better for the South African debutant in Round 2, as Silva took advantage of Buys lack of lateral movement by loading up and claiming a TKO finish. Buys was more aggressive at the start of the round but slipped and ended up on the bottom with Silva landing powerful strikes from top position. Buys battled back to his feet and was enjoying his best spell of the fight, but was then dropped by a big right hand and, despite gamely fighting back and circling away from trouble, was dropped once again with another big right hand as the fight was waved off.

It wasnt the start Buys was looking for as he looked to make an impact in the UFCs flyweight division. Buys showed plenty of tenacity and a willingness to stand and trade, but ultimately had no answer to Silvas punch power as he fell to a debut defeat.

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UFC on ESPN 21 rookie report: Grading the newcomers in Las Vegas - MMA Junkie

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Allegiant Air sees increase in bookings to Las Vegas, executive says - FOX5 Las Vegas

Retired NFL linebacker Adam Seward was arrested early Tuesday in Las Vegas in connection with a hit-and-run crash, jail and court records show.

A fresh blood trail helped Las Vegas police officers identify and locate Seward after the crash, which occurred around 11:40 p.m. Monday near Sahara Avenue and Town Center Drive, according to his arrest report.

Seward, 38, played for the Carolina Panthers from 2005 to 2008 and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009. Prior to the NFL, he played for the UNLV Rebels.

He faces a felony charge of failure to stop at the scene of a crash, court records show, as well as misdemeanor charges of failure to maintain lane and speeding.

Sewards attorney, Josh Tomsheck, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Friday that his client left the site of the single-vehicle crash and immediately drove the alleged victim to the nearest hospital at her request.

Thereafter, Tomsheck added, Mr. Seward cooperated with law enforcement in their investigation. We trust the legal process to do its job and look forward to the full facts and circumstances of this incident coming to light through the court system.

On the night of the crash, a witness called 911 and reported seeing a Jeep hit a pole in the area before taking off south on Town Center. According to the report, the witness followed the Jeep, which eventually parked in a private driveway behind a nearby middle school.

When Las Vegas police arrived at the middle school, they found an unoccupied Jeep with major damage and a large amount of blood on the passenger side.

The blood was on the seat, the seatbelt, as well as the on the door panels, an officer wrote in the arrest report. It was also smeared as if someone was helped across the center console and out the driver side of the vehicle.

Officers followed a blood trail from the Jeep to a nearby apartment complex, where, according to the report, they found the driver.

You guys are here for me, the driver told officers, the report states. My Jeep is on the other street.

Once in custody, according to the report, the driver told police that he had lost control of his Jeep while trying to make a left turn from Sahara onto Town Center. After the crash, he said, he drove toward his apartment but only made it to the private driveway near the middle school.

From there, according to the report, he and his passenger a woman he had met earlier that evening walked to his other car in the apartment complex, leaving behind a trail of blood.

The man drove the woman to Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center. Police said she suffered severe head and face injuries and was later transferred to University Medical Center.

Seward stated he knew he should have waited for police on scene, the report states.

Court records show that Seward has been released from custody on his own recognizance under the condition that he does not drive until further order of the court.

According to the records, Seward does not have a criminal history in Clark County.

He had not been formally charged in connection with the crash as of Friday. A status hearing in the case is set for May 12.

Contact Rio Lacanlale at rlacanlale@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Follow @riolacanlale on Twitter.

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Former UNLV, NFL player arrested after hit-and-run in Las Vegas - Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Raiders completed a significant amount of their offseason work over the first four days of free agency.

In the process, they added depth, production and upside along the defensive line, filled the void left by the departure of wide receiver Nelson Agholor and added a dynamic weapon to the offensive backfield.

Doing so narrowed their high-alert needs to a much more manageable few rather than the many they had merely a week ago. Of immediate importance is right tackle, free safety and perhaps a veteran cornerback.

As far as the secondary, the Raiders on Saturday brought back cornerback Nevin Lawson on a one-year contract. He played 737 snaps last season and provides reliability as a rotational corner and spot starter, if necessary.

The move doesnt preclude them from adding more corners through free agency and the draft. He will have to earn a job in training camp to hold onto his roster spot.

As of Saturday, the Raiders have roughly $1.8 million to spend under the cap. But that can easily expand to $18 million with some roster moves. Quarterback Marcus Mariota, who carries a $10.7 million salary, is a candidate to be cut. And given the recent moves at defensive line and running back, defensive end Arden Key ($2.18 million) and running back Jalen Richard ($3.5 million) are cap casualty candidates as well.

The Raiders walk a bit of a fine line at corner after investing a second-round pick in 2019 on Trayvon Mullen and a first-round pick in 2020 on Damon Arnette. Arnette battled a wrist injury and concussions while playing just nine games last year, and its incumbent the Raiders get him on the field in 2021 to expedite his development and, frankly, their assessment of him.

The need to get returns on their investment in Mullen and Arnette likely means anyone they bring in via free agency figures to be in conjunction with their two young corners rather than in lieu of them.

That said, former first-round pick Adoree Jackson is on the open market and could add depth and be a potential replacement for Lamarcus Joyner as the slot corner. Amik Robertson, who the Raiders drafted in the fourth round last year, will get every chance to win the slot corner job. But the Raiders cant assume he is capable of handling it. Expect competition to be added.

The free safety group is dwindling in free agency after former Vikings standout Anthony Harris agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles. Kareem Jackson, the 11-year veteran who played the last two seasons with the Broncos, remains unsigned and a possibility. As do free agents Duron Harmon of the Lions, Malik Hooker of the Colts and Tre Boston of the Panthers.

New defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has shown he is not hesitant to start rookies at safety, and an intriguing draft class offers plug-in starter options in TCUs Trevon Moehrig and Central Floridas Richie Grant. One or both could still be on the board with the Raiders second-round pick at No. 48.

At tackle, former Kansas City Chiefs standout Mitchell Schwartz is still available, although the back injury he suffered last year casts doubt on his health and as his welcome to Kansas City tweet to new Chiefs guard Kyle Long indicted, a reunion in Kansas City might be in the works.

The Raiders arent inclined to make a desperate grab at tackle knowing the draft depth at the position could yield a starter.

Among the potential first and second-round options are USCs Alijah Vera-Tucker, Virginia Techs Christian Darrisaw, Oklahoma States Teven Jenkins and Notre Dames Liam Eichenberg.

The draft depth at two key areas of need allows the Raiders to be patient in how they allocate their remaining cap space, but the sense is at least one more significant move is coming.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on Twitter.

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Raiders narrow their needs, but work still needs to be done - Las Vegas Review-Journal

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The Review-Journal asked Nevadans to share stories of their pandemic year. Here is a selection of their reflections, in their own words. Minimal editing has been applied.

A struggle, but still one of the lucky ones

In October 2019, my mother, who lived with me, had a heart attack. After consulting with her doctors, I was told that she would need around-the-clock assistance with her everyday needs. It was decided that she would go into assisted living. I did not like this choice, but as I worked long hours and was not home most of the time, I wanted her safe. I felt better about it because I would go and visit her to make sure she was being taken care and was happy.

Then came Covid. Mid-March I went for my normal Saturday visit and was met at the door by a sign saying no visiting allowed. From then on I could only drop off supplies for her at the door and inquire how she was doing. I never got to see her or touch her or tell her I loved her while this was happening.

Then came late May when I got a phone call saying she was in the ER. She was there for severe dehydration and didnt recognize me. I dont know what happened in the two months I wasnt able to see her. She was in the hospital for a week before she passed away. She wasnt positive for Covid though.

Luckily the hospital had just started letting one person visit per patient, so I was able to see her and touch her and let her know I loved her. Every day I went, I told her over and over again how much I loved her. I dont think if I hadnt been allowed to visit her I wouldve survived. Ive read so many stories about people who are not able to be there when their loved ones died in the hospital because of Covid and my heart ached for them.

As all this was going on, I also lost my job. I spent the past few months on the brink suffering from severe depression with no help because I had no health insurance. Its only in the last couple of months that finally I felt some kind of hope, that maybe I would come thru this.

I realize that I was one of the lucky ones in spite of all that went on because I was able to talk and touch my mother and let her know how much I loved her before she passed. I also got social security disability so I didnt have to worry about losing my house and not having anywhere to live. I still struggle though

Bernadette Rollins

One of the best years of my life

This has been one of the best years of my life, mostly because it was the first full year Ive lived in Las Vegas. Thanks to the pandemic and being in lockdown, I learned so many things, including how to use Instacart to let others do my shopping; how to use Zoom to take art classes, attend conferences, learn how to play the piano; teach myself how to cook healthy meals and, in the process, lose 30 pounds! Viva Las Vegas!

Teri Thompson

Lockdown anniversary

Exactly one year ago, we shut down the very last convention of 2020 in Las Vegas on March 12, 2020.

I have not addressed this in such detail in a prior post. I waited, hoping it wouldnt be a year.

I will never forget the vibe of the room that day. Within 6 hours, we personally had over 60 events cancel, with over a hundred more within the following weeks. The attendees left early to rush home to try to control the damage and brace for their uncertain futures. We still put on the best show possible with a smile for whomever would listen. Afterwards, everyone knew it would be a long while before we could do it again. We were all told two weeks. We flew back to Florida that night, and basically waited. And waited. And waited. For those not in the touring and events industry, you need to know it has been a full year and we are STILL WAITING.

A handful of shows have returned, but I just had several summer shows cancel again after being rescheduled from last summer. There have been no major conventions in Orlando, either. Weddings are small and sparse. There are no opportunities to perform with touring acts because there arent any.

I watched my show income go to zero. Almost all my business canceled for a full year. The small rations of government loans and grants have helped some businesses impacted, but its not enough to keep going for many. They completely forgot about the freelance musicians and entertainers, as well as the tech crews, theater crews, stagehands, convention planners/staff/AV and everyone you dont see who makes a show actually happen. We still have bills to pay: rent for office and large equipment and costume storage, insurance for everything, vehicle maintenance, utilities, etc. We were told to wait, forbidden from doing our jobs, and then left out in the cold for a full year now, with no solid foreseeable end in sight.

We are still waiting.

Once the vaccines are finally available to all, borders will open again. Travel will resume. Shows will come back. Every single person with whom Ive spoken says they are exhausted of virtual meetings because so much is LOST in the limited communication. People sense vibes and energy, and watch for non-verbal cues. Its how we learn to trust each other. In the entertainment world, we learn from the hang if we really want to continue working with people. In the corporate world, its usually on the golf course or sharing a meal/beverage between the formal meetings. In both scenarios, real connections are not made across a conference table or on stage. Real connections are made from real in-person interactions with people.

Until we meet againwe wait. We pivot. We work on passion projects and side jobs. Some have completely changed their careers to non-entertainment ones with no plans to go back. In the words of one producer, Its too hard to see your lifes work and all of your life savings invested in your dream company with dozens of employees destroyed overnight. I had to let the employees go because I couldnt afford to pay them. I let them down, and I dont want to go through that again.

Thats a toll not mentioned enough: the mental toll on the employers. Most small business owners dont think of the employees as just workers; they are much closer. Many business owners that I know have sacrificed and given from their personal savings/pantry/closet to help their employees and families.

And we wait with the hope we can restart again soon. In Violectric, we rehearse and learn new skills. We use the time to create and make new instruments with new technologies. We foster relationships with other artists and collaborate on new music. We use the resources and tools available to us to develop new ideas.

For us, we are like the Phoenix emerging from the flames. We will be back soon, stronger and better than ever.

Until then, we wait.

Michelle Jones

Deeply saddened, loss of wife

My wife of 22 years, Laurie, died due to Covid-19 on Jan. 19. I and my 21-year-old autistic son, Jeffrey, are now alone. My wife taught for CCSD for 31 years. She came here from Richfield, Utah in 1990. I am deeply saddened by her passing. My son doesnt understand her passing. He still looks for her. It breaks my heart. My wife spent her last years teaching Intermediate Autism at Lee Antonello Elementary School. Teaching was a profession she truly loved.

Brian Danise

Ailing art industry

Early March 2020, I drove to Scottsdale, Arizona to participate in one of the premiere art festivals in the Southwest. The order to shut down came the day of setting up, some artists already had their tents up. Soon my entire art festival schedule, 5 in total, was cancelled for the year. I sell online and at art festivals, but the bulk of my income comes from festivals. In addition to the lost income and loss of investment in inventory, refunds for entry fees came much later, if at all, and travel expenses were lost. Today, I study the festival scene daily and still my major events are being cancelled into September 2021. Non-profits and other art promoters either have gone out of business or are staying off the gamble of organizing and promoting events. Large events will be the last to come back and even so, will the thousands of art lovers show up? Will anyone buy anything so not necessary in 2021? Looking to 2022 for any hopes of recovery. Happy to be healthy but the entire art festival industry will ail for years to come.

Maria Arango Diener

Anxiety

Depression and anxiety. Not motivated. Be sweet when all vaccinations are finished.

Phyllis Hedges

Changed my life, and future

As a 75-year-old widow, I was fortunate enough to plan extensive travel in 2020. Then Covid-19 hit and I had to cancel seven trips, including a month traveling around Europe. I have not been kind to myself because I have not been exercising and I have gained the dreaded Covid 10 pounds. I am not sure I will be physically able to travel ever again. I am depressed, isolated in my home, and feel unable to get on my feet. I am grateful to have a home and to not be severely impacted financially by the pandemic, but it has changed my life and my future.

Georgia Johnson, 75

Lost my brother

Lost my brother to COVID-19 on January 21st of 2021 former District Court Judge Don P. Chairez, who was serving as a Nye County Deputy DA the past two years before he passed. Prior to taking the position with the DAs office in Nye, Don worked as a private practice lawyer mainly taking immigration cases. Don was a great trial lawyer but he was also a great immigration attorney. Don was different than most in the sense he would help those that couldnt afford the guy with the billboards all over town. In the two years I was back in Vegas and watched Dons private practice, I saw him maybe take a case at full fee just once, hell, I could even name that case. Don would offer to meet clients on the weekends or after work because thats when they could meet. The funny thing is that Dons mom was a immigration worker for Catholic Social Services in Sacramento where Don had his first practice. She, too, would often drive all over Northern California to the farms and have the workers fill out paperwork to get the green card. Maybe that is where Don got that from was his mother working on weekends to help those that couldnt afford it. As one attorney put it, Thank you for using your talents to help the people most in need. That person is the person we lost on 01/21/21.

Dennis F. Chairez

A living hell

You really wanna know my story ? Is been a living HELL, yes I do mean that, yes. I am now 52 and Ive been homeless growing up, but about six years ago found a good job at Sundance Helicopters. [I ] finally had a nice place to stay and brought new truck and a new rv so I could go camping on my days off and even got an ATV ( side by side ) then this stupid Covid come. Sundance shut down and I was behind on my rent so now I live in my car and no food and plus I have a disability (deaf) so I need new hearing aids and my teeth are killing me. No insurance, no job, no nothing is hard, very hard. I finally did get a Medicaid card, but I dont know how much that will help. But yes, this pandemic has turn my life upside down again and my father-in-law passed a few days ago back in PA from Covid. It sucks, but I see a lot of people dont take it seriously. Oh well, enough about me. God bless the USA.

John Linnell

Father never forgotten

This is a real, raw, emotional story, and feelings that I am still dealing with to this day with the loss of a parent.

On February 22, 2020 my firstborn daughter Mavis was born. Shes beautiful, incredible, more than weve ever asked for. Everyone got the chance to meet and hold her, except for my dad. He promised me that he would fly out from Florida to see her for her first birthday. Unfortunately, he did not make the trip.

Leading up to this, my entire workplace was put on a furlough in March when the initial shutdowns happened. We were out of work for 7 months. It was an incredibly difficult time for my work family, and Nevadans as a whole. For myself it was bittersweet, I got the chance to spend so much precious time with my daughter at home, while my wife Jessie came back from maternity leave early, to get back to work as a nurse, helping those in need. Jessie is an incredible nurse, mother, and wife, and sacrificed so much to help those in need. She is my hero, and gives me so much inspiration.

Fast forward to my daughters first birthday. The Sunday before, my father was supposed to fly out. Unfortunately he became very sick, and I asked him to please stay home and recover. He kept telling me that he felt like he was going to die. He couldnt breathe. He couldnt move. He could barely breathe. He did however, shed tears as he was really looking forward to his trip here. His wife brought him to his doctor who tested him, and he was given a severe COVID diagnosis, and was sent home with medication on Monday. That night, he was video chatting with us, asking for help on how to use his medication. He looked terrible, a shell of himself, but we told each other how much we loved each other, and that I promised I would take Mavis to see him when he got better.

My father passed away in his sleep the next morning. His wife video called me, and we saw everything. We witnessed them stripping him down, starting compressions, using the AED to get a pulse, strapping him to a machine that did compressions. We knew. After 20 minutes, they pronounced him dead. Seeing their efforts to revive my father, is a painful sight I will forever live with. However I know now that he is no longer suffering. I live with so much guilt, shame, and second thoughts. Should I have let him fly over despite having COVID? Am I a horrible son and person? I just know that I love and miss him so much, and I would give anything to be able to hear his voice again.

His name was Tho. Tho Van Do. He is survived by his wife Hoang, myself, and his granddaughter Mavis Ryann Do, who will forever know him as an amazing man, father, and provider. Real death happens when the persons name and legacy is forgotten. Dad, I will never let you be forgotten. I will remember and love you, always. I miss and cry for you every day. I hope that you are playing with my late sister Sunshine, and are looking down on us.

Thank you for letting me get this off of my mind, heart, and soul, LVRJ.

Choung Do

Caring landlord

I consider myself Las Vegas/Hendersons most caring landlord. When reading about this horrible virus in China I just knew there would be a pandemic. In January, I got a home equity line of credit on a home I own so I could cut my tenants rents in half so they could survive the pandemic. Even so, one agreed, signed a loan document, and then chose not to pay me even though five adults in the home got pandemic aid and the father kept working. I could now evict. They left when their lease was up, but they owe me $31,000. I have filed a suit in Henderson Municipal Court but they are ducking service from the constable. As they say in the Godfather, No good deed goes unpunished.

Beth Ellyn Rosenthal

Mental strain

Regarding my physical health Covid has not made a difference at all. However regarding the mental and social wellbeing of my family while the effects could have been worse there definitely has been an effect.

I have five children that attend three different CCSD schools. The biggest effect will be seen for years as the last year plus of school has been close to a complete waste of time. My 2nd and 4th graders should probably repeat their grade levels. My 8th grader will be repeating algebra because the concepts havent been fully grasped. My 10th grader who has never gotten anything other than an A on her report card is struggling to maintain the same level of academics and her love for school is waning. My 12th grader saw the future of the governors decision to ruin her senior year and decided to take college classes online concurrent with her other class load and she graduated early. Not sure how you measure the effects of a wasted year right now. Time will tell how things go.

The other effect is in the social arena. We went from having activities every night with sports, church activities, friends hanging out to almost a screeching halt. This led to some great family time. However as time wore on, the negative side of the isolation started to rear its ugly face. My children were becoming depressed as they missed the social interaction. My fear is that the unintended consequences of saving kids from a virus that would have a minimal to non-existent effect on them will potentially turn them into a generation with much worse problems than a positive covid test.

As we saw this effect on our children, we also knew that other people had the same issue. So we made the calculated decision to open up our house to anyone and everyone that wanted to come over. My elementary school children will have friends come over from school and they participate in virtual learning together. While the learning part of it is inadequate at least they are gaining from the social interaction between friends. Our home is a frequent meeting spot with my teenagers so that they can laugh together and meet up. Is there a risk that we are creating a covid hot-spot? I suppose, but when my daughter tells me of her classmates that have overdosed with drugs, Im less concerned about spreading covid and more concerned about helping the youth feel loved and help them get through this with a smile on their face.

From day one, I have said that we went about this problem the wrong way. As a community, we should have rallied around those that are most vulnerable and susceptible. Rather that shutting down the entire economy, we should have provided free grocery & and medicine delivery to the aged and infirm. Those that have the various risk factors could have been served by their community rather than isolating all of us.

So how I have been impacted by Covid? I have kids that are more depressed. And a government that thinks they are my protector when in actuality they are stabbing me in the back with a smile on their face and telling me that my kids are resilient.

Josh Haldeman

Missing grandfather

My grandfather, Joselito T. Vitug, came to United States all alone to build a better life for his family in the Philippines. He eventually became successful in his business endeavors and was able to bring my grandma, dad, and aunt to the United States, where they settled in Glendale Heights, Illinois. Soon after, my grandpa sponsored his parents and siblings to come to the United States and one by one they came. My grandpa literally planted the seeds for the entire Vitug family in the United States. He was known as the godfather of the Vitug family. He eventually moved to Henderson, Nevada with my grandma to start new business endeavors. He always made time to check in with his four grandsons, me being one of them. He always wanted to the very best for his family. He died on May 6, 2020 after being on a ventilator for about a month. We miss him dearly. He was flown back to his home in Chicago where hes laid to rest next to his brother and parents.

Ryne Vitug

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When 2 weeks becomes a year: COVID in their own words - Las Vegas Review-Journal