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Afternoon at Loftti Cafe
My bestie lives in the South West and I have driven past Loftti Café many times, always making a mental note to visit one day. I’m a sucker for cool looking logos and the art deco Loftti logo looks particularly fun lit up in bright round bulbs at night. Visually speaking it’s the complete package, appealing, stylistically correct, and eye-catching. This past week the stars finally aligned and I was able to see more than just Loftti’s signage. The interior is a hipster wet dream filled with Edison bulbs, twinkle lights, industrial fixtures, crisscross cobblestone flooring, and quirky knick-knacks. Large floor to ceiling windows occupy half the space, creating two…
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Looking for Culture in Vegas? Dime Grinds has You Covered
A common complaint from those who move to Vegas from other cities is the lack of cultural activities. I always thought that was a load of hooey, but after attending several Dime Grinds events I know it is. Hosted by Joe Maxx Coffee in Henderson and organized by the Henderson Writers Group, Dime Grinds is a monthly event that combines: authors (aspiring and accomplished), 10 cent coffee, and three readings. Walking into Joe Maxx Coffee on the first Sunday of every month feels like visiting a friend’s house. The coffee shop itself is airy and spacious. With a variety of comfortable seating options and featuring a rotating selection of local…
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Flash Feature: Noa Sivan
You should be reading flash fiction. I’ve seen it defined a few different ways, but the one which seems most consistent is that flash fiction is fiction with a word count under 1,000. Good flash fiction packs the entire emotional journey of a short story or a novel in a tight space. But it doesn’t feel rushed or unfinished; it feels like you’ve opened a window into something unexpected and quick. We keep hearing about how our attention spans are shorter, how we’re bombarded with more content than ever before. If reading a novel is docking your ship in a friendly port after a terrible storm, then reading flash fiction…
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Where to Buy Books in Vegas
In my first blog post, I discussed my hatred of Amazon and love of libraries. I also tapped The Writer’s Block as #TheVegasILove. And as much as both libraries and The Writer’s Block are wonderful they’re not the only game in town. I’m going to assume you enjoy supporting local businesses rather than large corporations (because you’re a good person, right?). So to aid you in that support, here are profiles on three amazing locally owned bookstores. Dragon Castle Books (Used) This used bookstore is owned and operated by a mother/son team: Carla and Danny. As soon as I walked in, Carla greeted me from behind a counter surrounded by…
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Best Budget-Friendly Vegetarian Vegas Restaurants
Most restaurants have the obligatory one or two vegetarian dishes. If I never eat or see another bland grilled veggie sandwich or try to make a meal out of sides again I'll be a happy woman indeed. Being a vegetarian shouldn’t be a boring affair. Or a costly one. There are a variety of delightful dining options for vegetarians that will put a smile on your face instead of a strain on your wallet. I culled this list from locally owned restaurants (no outside franchises) where you can leave satisfied on $12 and under. 1. Archi's I know I'm going to catch flak for this, but I don't care. Archi's…
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Reading: Suicide, Love, Incest
Grabby blog post title, right? These are all elements in Banana Yoshimoto’s NP, but they’re not what the book is about. Sorry for the bait and switch. The book is actually about welcoming a dark force into your life. Our narrator, Kazami, sidesteps a darkness bubbling from within to face one that comes crashing into her life in the form of the novel’s true protagonist—Sui. The title, NP refers to a fictional book of 97 short stories written in English by Sarao Takase, a fictional Japanese author. A cancer of sorts, the book infects all those who become emotionally invested in its language with an urge to take their lives.…
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New in Town: Moshe Shawarma
My husband and I were made for each other. We have a love that runs so deep it threatens the earth’s core. But even we are not immune to the siren call of the age-old relationship slayer—“where do you want to eat?” The mysteries of that question may never be solved, but last week, Rich was able to quickly diffuse an otherwise incendiary situation by suggesting we try somewhere new: Moshe Shawarma. Mediterranean fare is delicious year-round, but the airy flavors and focus on vegetable sides is particularly alluring in the summer. So I was definitely on board to give this new place a try. Although the name suggested an…
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5 Ways to Cure Writer’s Block Blues
In A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway writes “Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know.” I love these words and what they represent. But for those of us who aren’t Hemingway, there may be other, more realistic approaches to curing writer’s block blues. It took some trial and error to find what works best for me. The following are five techniques I am currently using to push through the frustration. 1. Writing Prompts The magic of writing prompts is in unlocking your unique voice and perspective, allowing you to craft…
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New in Town: Tomo Noodles and Dumplings
Currently, the weather in Las Vegas is hitting the low 100s, so naturally, I thought it was time to try a new ramen place. Last month, Village Square welcomed its newest addition: Tomo Noodles and Dumplings. My husband, Rich and I decided on a lunch visit. Eat More Ramen I’m one of those people who eat with their eyes as well as their stomach. For me, atmosphere contributes to the flavor. That’s why I was excited when we walked into Tomo. The high-ceilinged, sparsely decorated, airy space is highlighted by dramatic and dynamic murals. Spanning the whole length of the restaurant is a vast wall festooned with three separate but…
