City Cast Las Vegas

The holidays are a busy time for bookstores — and their holiday sales are actually kind of a microcosm of all the faves of the whole year. Today, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with co-owner and buyer Drew Cohen from The Writer’s Block, Vegas’s landmark independent bookstore downtown, to find out the local trends, Las Vegas books, and the unique challenges and delights of being an indy bookstore in Las Vegas.We want to hear from you! We’re collecting New Years resolutions and predictions. What do you want Las Vegas to become next year? Have a prediction for Sin City in 2023? Let us know by sending us a voicemail or texting us at 702-514-0719.We’re also on Twitter! Follow us @CityCastVegas Are you a book lover? So is our amazingly witty newsletter editor, Scott Dickensheets! Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter for all the events, musings, and commentary at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter.

CCSD recently released a proposal they’re planning to take to the state legislature next year: They want sex education to be opt-out, not opt-in. Right now in Nevada, if a parent doesn’t sign the permission slip (aka opt-in), then that child automatically doesn’t take sex ed — and we’re one of only five states with this policy. Today, Vogue sits down with Camalot Todd, who just wrote about this possible policy shift in the Nevada Current. They talk about how opt-in sex ed leaves out the students who need it most, the proposal’s mandate for medically-accurate sex ed, and how it’s all connected to Nevada’s super-high STI rates.What are your thoughts on sex ed at CCSD schools? Are you a parent or a student who has thoughts on “opt-in” vs “opt-out”? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text message at 702-514-0719. Or hit us up on Twitter @CityCastVegas.Want even more Vegas news, events, and snarky commentary? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Ask Mr. Claus — there are two kinds of people in the world: naughty and nice. So which Las Vegans will producer Layla Muhammad and co-host Dayvid Figler drop some coal on in today’s “naughty and nice” episode? And who will they celebrate with garlands and light? Listen to find out!Who do you think the naughtiest and nicest Las Vegans were this year? Tell us in a voicemail at 702-514-0719.We’re also on Twitter! Send us a tweet and follow @CityCastVegasMake sure to sign up for the nicest (and sometimes naughty) morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! 

It’s Friday (WE DID IT, we made it to the end of the week, y’all!) and it’s also the end of a rather contentious week in the news: Tony Hsieh is back in the headlines with the news that his estate is planning on selling off some of the many, many properties he acquired downtown. Their goal? A much-needed “injection of capital” for the DTP businesses in their portfolio. But Tony’s efforts downtown were not without criticism, and our big question now is: Will they sell to out-of-state big box stores, or back to locals who are trying to create something special downtown? Next, we get into all of the ridiculous city ranking lists that Vegas somehow finds itself on (“most sinful?” “worst dressed?” Puh-lease.) And lastly, a moment of silence (and a lot of questions) for the mountain lion who was captured and euthanized in a northwest neighborhood earlier this week.Don’t forget to check out host Vogue Robinson’s first art show, Alchemy of Self, THIS SUNDAY at Girl Code Nails!How do you feel about the mountain lion situation? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text message at 702-514-0719, or hit us up on Twitter @CityCastVegas.Hungry for more Vegas news? Sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Between the cars, bikes, pedestrians, and traffic cones, there's a lot going on on Las Vegas roads. This year, Las Vegas saw an increase in pedestrian deaths and ranked in the top ten for the most dangerous roads for pedestrians according to Smart Growth America. As the city starts yet another road improvement project on the Westside to improve the experience for all users, we wonder what makes the Vegas roads so hard to navigate?Ray Delahanty, aka City Nerd on YouTube, joins co-host Dayvid Figler to talk about the design aspects that make Vegas roads dangerous, why stroads are a nightmare, and how he’s committed to not driving in Las Vegas.What projects around the city are you curious about? Call or text us so we can look into it at 702-514-0719!Let us know what intersections you hate on Twitter @CityCastVegas.Stay up to date on all things Vegas with our morning newsletter! Sign up at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter.

Holiday shopping season is upon us, and man, can that be stressful. Fear not, fellow Las Vegans, because we’ve got you covered. Co-host Vogue Robinson welcomes producers Sonja Cho Swanson and Layla Muhammad on to discuss where they are doing their local holiday shopping — because shopping local supports small businesses and helps keep those dollars in our community. Whether you're shopping for a thrill-seeker, foodie, or even harder, your parents, there's something for everyone! We even get into where to go for last-minute gift shopping for the procrastinators.Here are the places/experiences we mentioned in the episode (and you can find a map of all these places here):Wild West Horseback AdventuresSambalatteCozymealClay Arts VegasLas Vegas LivestockHappy Ending ChocolateValley Cheese and WineGraze By DaysLas Vegas Distillery (found at Total Wine or Lee's Discount Liquor) John Mull’s MeatsThe Writer’s BlockThe LV Plant CollectiveNeon Cactus Vintage11th Street RecordsLocal OasisContainer ParkVintaged LVLive at Your Own Pace Clothing Co. (LAYOP)International MarketplaceThe Office of Collecting and DesignHoliday Markets and Craft Festivals:Craft Festival at Tivoli Village (12/11)Native American Holiday Market at CSN (12/10)Market in the Alley in the Arts District (12/18)What are your go-to local shops for the holiday season? Send them our way on Twitter @CityCastVegas or leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719.Want more Vegas tips, guides, and witty commentary? Sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Today, the Clark County Commission will vote on an ordinance to ban the sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and pigs throughout all Clark County stores. This proposal, led by Commissioner Michael Naft, is part of a larger effort around the country to stop pet overpopulation and reduce the 2 million puppies sold from puppy mills each year. Similar ordinances are already in place in Reno, North Las Vegas, and Mesquite. But with this proposal, where should responsible owners who want a specific dog go?John Goodwin, senior director of The Humane Society of the United States’ Stop Puppy Mills campaign, sits down with co-host Dayvid Figler to discuss why Clark County needs this ban and how this will impact businesses around the valley.Where did you find your furry friend? At a pet store or a shelter? Let us know on Twitter @CityCastVegas or send us a text or voicemail at 702-514-0719.Looking for a fun, local, and informative start to your day? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

A couple of weeks ago, The College of Southern Nevada’s mariachi team, Mariachi Plata, became back-to-back winners at the biggest college mariachi competition in the country. They’ve only been around for three years, so how did they reach the top so fast? Mariachi Plata’s co-director, Fernando Gonzalez, and one of his students, Debbie Carrillo, tell co-host Vogue Robinson about their championship story.Don’t miss Mariachi Plata’s annual concert on Wednesday, December 7th at 7 p.m., in the Horn Theatre on CSN’s East Cheyenne campus! More details here.What do you love about mariachi? Planning to go to the concert on the 7th? Call or text us at 702-514-0719, or tweet at us on the ol’ bird app: @CityCastVegas Don’t forget, we have an amazing morning newsletter, freshly-baked in your inboxes every morning at 6 a.m. Sign up at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Hello, sweet, sweet Friday. We’re back in your feeds with a roundup of the week’s news. Vogue, Davyid & Scott start things off with some BIG news for Nevada: President Biden has announced he’ll approve the designation of Avi Kwa Ame as a national monument! That’s right, a protected area for night skies, nature, and the sacred Spirit Mountain, right in our backyard. Then it’s onto a tough conversation about a lawsuit that the mother brought against CCSD after her son was brutally attacked on a school bus — and how privacy laws have tied the school district’s hands. And last but not least, a Very Important Sandwich Debate: Should we call a sandwich a “sammie,” a “sando,” a “sammich,” or (gasp) a “sarno?”Scott has strong feelings, and we get into it.Want to weigh in on the proper name for a sandwich? Are you excited to visit Avi Kwa Ame? Let us know by leaving us a voicemail or a texting us at 702-514-0719. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us @CityCastVegas.Psst — by the way, do your inbox a favor and sign up for our amazing morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter, if you haven’t already.

If you love good food, Chinatown is THE happening neighborhood in Las Vegas right now, says Lorraine Blanco Moss. Lorraine is not only a producer at KNPR and host of the podcast Exit Spring Mountain, she’s also a professional chef who’s cooked in high-end kitchens on the Strip — so you’re going to want all of her insider knowledge on where to eat and what to order in Chinatown. Today, Vogue gets all the deets on where industry folks hang out, how to spot good dim sum, and why you shouldn’t always trust the Yelp reviews.Where do you love to eat in Chinatown? Got any parking tips for us? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719, or hit us up on Twitter @CityCastVegas.Bring the party to your inbox every morning at 6am: Make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!And last but not least, here’s the list of Chinatown restaurants that Lorraine mentioned in today’s episode. We created a handy Google Map with all the restaurants for you, too! Edo Gastro Tapas & Wine Phở Kim Long J Karaoke Sushi House Goyemon Orchids Garden Xiao Long Dumplings Partage Sparrow & Wolf Half Bird Take It Easy Roasters