Entertainment Columns

Switch

Switch, in a word: Wow. I’m not kidding. All aspects of this truly refreshing spot at Encore were absolutely stellar.

Man, it has been a long winter; I have a friend who has had bronchitis five times this winter. But spring has sprung, and most of us are grateful for that. However, we do have one leftover wintry request — for Lipton Chicken Noodle Cup-a-Soup, sought by Judy Dietrich. June Schule wrote that it can be found at Target at 6480 Sky Pointe Drive, and Herbert Harris e-mailed that he has ordered it from Amazon.com. …

Spring a great time of year to visit Valley of Fire

Cheerful golden sun rays nod their welcome to Valley of Fire State Park. These handsome relatives of sunflowers steal the wildflower show this spring, their exuberance drawing attention away from many other varieties. When visiting the park this month, take note of some of the lesser blooms, such as white-flowered gravel ghost, orange globe mallow, pale yellow primrose, pinkish-white dune primrose, lavender Mojave aster and tiny white rock aster. Several varieties of cactus finish up the spring show as hot summer days approach.

‘Harper’s Island,”Southland’ among series gifts for TV lovers

In the past couple of weeks, new shows have been popping up like sensitive balladeer types on “American Idol.”

Santana as Hard Rock headliner puzzling

There had better be Deadhead stickers on a lot of Cadillacs for this one to work.

HEIDI’S PICKS

Heidi’s Picks is a weekly selection of restaurant suggestions from Review-Journal critic Heidi Knapp Rinella.

field	question	answer
i_1	I'm staying on the Strip. What's a must-see attraction?	The Las Vegas Strip is full of iconic sights. We narrowed down the list to a handful that you can check out for free or at a (relatively) low cost. The attractions range from a free, 14,000-square-foot garden at Bellagio to riding a gondola through the Venetian, as well as The High Roller, Shark Reef, Sphere Experience, rides at the Strat and The Fountains of Bellagio. Check out the attractions.
i_2	Where should I grab a drink in downtown Las Vegas?	As the downtown Arts District has grown in recent years, so has its bar scene. We highlight five of the best spots to grab a cold one or a high-end cocktail. This list has something for everyone, including a punk rock dive bar, a hidden experimental cocktail bar, locals' favorites and many more. Stop by Liquid Diet, Velveteen Rabbit, Berlin Bar, Rebar, Garagiste and others. Check it out.
i_3	What are the most unique experiences in Las Vegas?	Plenty of gems throughout the Silver State await those who are willing to wander outside of the Las Vegas Valley. For those with desert wanderlust — or who would enjoy a skydiving free fall with views of Hoover Dam at 120 mph — the list is fodder for bucket lists and exploration. It also includes a hot spring in ghost town Gold Point, mining Nevada's state gemstone, climbing Mount Whitney near Reno, zip-lining the Fremont Street Experience and clear-boat canoeing on Lake Tahoe. Read the guide.
i_4	What are some family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas?	The first day of school is fast approaching for K-12 students, but there’s still time for summer fun. Whether the family wants to get up close and personal with wildlife, explore nature, experience immersive art or cool off in a nice pool, Las Vegas offers something for everyone before school bells toll again Aug. 12. This includes seeing big cats at Lion Habitat Ranch, the Flamingo wildlife habitat, the "origins of Las Vegas" at Springs Preserve and more. See our guide.
i_5	Which resort pools admit Las Vegas locals?	As the sun beats hotter and hotter on the Las Vegas Valley throughout the summer, locals without an easy way to cool down may find themselves jealous of the tourists relaxing on their poolside lounge chairs. But there’s no need for bad vibes. Several resorts around the Las Vegas Valley allow area residents into their resort pool areas — some even for free, like Palms and Park MGM. Get your swim on.
i_6	I want to hit the club but don't know where to start. Where should I go?	Twenty-thousand-pound chandeliers, lighting rigs designed to look like spacecraft and $40,000 bottle service. No, there’s nothing quite like the nightlife scene in Las Vegas. But with so many high-end clubs vying for your dollar (dollars by the thousand, to be more accurate), where to begin? Right here with this guide to some of the biggest and best spots on the Strip: Drai's, Hakkasan, Marquee, Omnia and others.