Las Vegas Correspondence – April 2017

You never know what you’ll find in Las Vegas — so enjoy!

On April 1st and 2nd, the Silver State Kennel Club will have their AKC (American Kennel Club) Show at the Sports Center of Las Vegas on Las Vegas Boulevard South and Sunset Road. The events are from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and will showcase all breeds of purebred dogs in obedience, junior showmanship and rally trials. You will see hounds, poodles, bull & Scottish terriers, labs, dachshunds, and more. On April 2nd will be the puppies! Who doesn’t enjoy seeing all kinds and ages of puppies?

As of publication, there was no general admission charge for the events on either day, although the Silver State Kennel Club is a non-profit corporation. There is a parking charge of $5 for each event day.

The Pirate Fest will be held at Craig Ranch Regional Park at 628 Craig Road (east of MLK Blvd. & west of Losee Rd.) on April 21st through 23rd. Tickets are $15 for a single day or $30 for a 3-day wrist band for those aged 12 to 64. Senior and military prices are $10 or $20, respectively. You can obtain $2.00 discounts for single day entries with a receipt from Sonic, Green Valley Grocery or Smith’s Foods. Hours are Noon-10 p.m., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. & 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Sunday.

Although this event was a basic rain-out last year, it should be fun this year because, “How often does it rain in Vegas?” Chances are good it won’t happen two years in a row! It is all things pirate, including a cardboard regatta on Sunday from Zappos. There will be games and treasure maps to follow, food, entertainment, demonstrations, a beer garden, and more for the whole family to enjoy.

The Las Vegas Highland Games will be held April 29th and 30th at Floyd Lamb Park (Durango North & Brent Lane off I-95 North) beginning at 9 a.m. each day until 6 p.m. General admission is $15 for 1 day if over 12 years of age, $10 for military and those over 60. 2-day tickets are $30 (over 12) and $20 (military & over 60). There is no charge for parking, and you can bring lawn chairs to make sure you have a seat. You are not allowed to bring in food or beverages, but, there will be food available for purchase.

There will be competitions in bagpiping and drum bands, highland dancing, athletics (which is throwing telephone poles, hammers, weights, etc.), a shortbread competition, and live music all weekend long. There are Scotch whisky tastings, beer, and toy vendors, and a children’s glen set up for play time. This should prove to be a fun and different experience for all to enjoy.

The Great American Foodie Fest is slated for April 27th through 30th in Henderson at Sunset Station. Food trucks from all over the country will be here so you can taste the best-of-the-best! They will also have carnival rides, food, eating competitions, a beer garden, and more food to enjoy.

Advance tickets are $8 for the 4-day entry or $10 at the gate. Or, you can purchase a $50 VIP for the 4 days, which includes $25 in food & drink vouchers, a t-shirt, express entrance, VIP seating, and a swag bag. Carnival rides are not included in the price of admission. Make sure you bring cash since not all vendors accept credit/debit cards. ATM’s will be available.

— Pauline Cimoch

 

Diamond Jack has seen the new Las Vegas and it’s a 54,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art marijuana production facility. Desert Grown Farms, a pharmaceutical grade cultivation and processing facility, is less than two blocks from the Strip and is expected to produce more than 20 strains and 10,000 pounds of cannabis per year.

I already have the munchies.

Desert Grown Farms has an expansive genetic library with marijuana strains that have been collected, researched and developed for a number of years. Production techniques include a dedicated network of hardware modules and specialized software applications designed to provide an automated and comprehensive system for feeding the plants. It starts with extremely clean water that comes from a robust reverse osmosis treatment system that provides fresh water to the grow rooms. The advantages to all this are accuracy and uniformity for an improved root system and overall plant health for the “perfect crop.”

All crops are kept at very precise Co2 set points to achieve optimum health and growth. A solution called EcoSol is designed to create an electrolyzed, chemically-activated solution that provides a safe and environmentally friendly, potassium-chloride based chlorine-free oxidizer. This solution is injected into the irrigation and drain water to treat bacterial and fungal diseases.

The post-harvest phase of cannabis cultivation is when the flowers of the plant dry and “cure” into their finished form.  Desert Grown Farms utilizes a method that equates to a higher quality finished product that will produce a full flavor profile and best possible effects when being consumed via smoking or vaporizing.

Drive through the valley and discover stores with names such as Las Vegas ReLeaf, Medizin, Essence Vegas, Euphoria Wellness, ShowGrow, Reef Dispensary and Top Notch. The greatest concentration of stores (12) is in an area called the Green District. It begins near South Third at Charleston Blvd. and moves out to East Twain and Paradise Road.

Keep in mind this new Las Vegas is not just Las Vegas. This is the new Nevada.

— Diamond Jack Bulavsky

 

Monorail Offers Month-Long Earth Day Savings Passes

The Las Vegas Monorail, which is the city’s most sustainable form of mass transit operating zero-emission trains, will be celebrating Earth Day April 22 all month long with special rates on multi-ride passes. From April 1-30, two-day multi-ride passes will be $17, which is a $5 savings. These passes allow holders to ride the Monorail’s four-mile seven-stop route—from SLS to MGM Grand—as many times as they wish for 48 hours. Earth Day fares may be purchased beginning April 1 online or at eKiosks at Monorail stations using promo code GREEN17.

Cardio Spider is next Spring Artist-in Residence at Neon Museum

The third annual Spring Performing Artist in Residence program at the Neon Museum will feature Cardio Spider. The Las Vegas-based sketch and improv team will present “What’s Your Sign?”—an interactive improv comedy experience open to the public in the museum’s North Gallery from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 1. This public program at the Neon Museum will be followed by an exhibit component, which will be on view at the Marjorie Barrick Museum at UNLV from April 3–15. The program is free, but advance registration is required online at neonmuseum.org.

Cardio Spider’s interactive live shows consist of sketch comedy and improvised games, scenes, and songs based on audience suggestions. Their original skits, songs and videos often explore issues of race, gender, relationships, and current events.

Axe Monkeys is Open

It seems every activity imaginable is in Las Vegas so Axe Monkeys should fit in just fine. While axe throwing as a recreational activity has become popular in Canada, Japan and other countries the past several years, why shouldn’t folks in America enjoy the sport?

Las Vegas’ first and only axe throwing facility is located at 3525 E. Post Rd., Suite #110. The new facility has 23 indoor axe throwing lanes, where customers can practice or learn from trainers to throw at a thick disc of wood. The lanes are separated by chain link fences as is the spectators’ area. The throwing task may sound easy but it’s not.

The goal is to make the axe weighing about 1 ½ pounds rotate once and sink itself cleanly in the target about 15 feet away. More experienced throwers can choose from a supply of knives, throwing stars, tactical tomahawks, shogun axes and other throwing implements in stock.

Hours are daily 10 a.m.-2 a.m. One-hour rates are $25 for adults and $20 for ages 17 and younger; two-hour rates are $40 for adults, $25 for children ages 7 to 12 and $32 for youths 13-17.  Everyone participating signs a waiver. Axe Monkeys will host leagues and parties.

— Jackie Brett