The Vegas Voice 3-21

Tiniest Cafe Propelled by Chef
By: Sam Wagmeister / People & Places
As national dining chains and high profile
restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip have
fallen victim to Coronavirus, many small local
mom and pop operations have shown the grit
and guts to survive despite every changing restrictions meant to quell
the pandemic.
It would seem that the larger venues are better equipped to weather
the storm when a 35% (at press time) occupancy mandate could
mean a reduction from 100 diners to 35, for example. But when you’re
perhaps the tiniest Café in town, survival can depend on the strength
of leadership.
Sonia El-Nawal brought that strength to Rooster Boy, the 8-seat Café
on the lakefront of the west side’s Dessert Shores community.
El-Nawal’s road to Las Vegas resembles Indiana Jones’ route to the
treasure. Her journey included Brussels, Paris, New York, San Francisco,
Mexico City, sometimes offering to work for free…learning, preparing
and perfecting her craft and her management skills. She has been
Can’t Get to the Hair Salon?
By: Linda Bateman-Gomez / Timeless Beauty
Although there is hope on the horizon with
vaccines and continued safety measures,
we are not out of the woods yet!
For many, the hair salon has been a less
frequented place compared to normal, but our hair needs haven’t
changed, leaving us to look for alternatives.
Even before the pandemic, I have always colored my hair at
home and only use temporary, no peroxide, no ammonia hair color.
Continually on the hunt for a better option, I recently found a new one
that I just love!
quoted, “You can have the best of the best (staff)…but if they don’t
mesh well, your operation is not going to be successful.”
Chef Sonia’s skills were tested last March when Nevada mandated
statewide closures, ending indoor dining. “We turned around quickly to
become a general store,” selling staples stockpiled at restaurant supply
houses whose customers were forced to shutter milk, eggs, butter, sugar.
“We started doing what we had to to survive.”
Responding to customer’s requests for her legendary breakfasts,
El-Nawal reopened the two dozen outdoor dining seats and narrowed
down the restaurant’s choices.”I’m very clear on my brand,” she said.
Her dining and carryout menus included “comforting foods and
hearty soups.” Chef Sonia instituted what she refers to as her “narrowdown
philosophy” rotating a dozen or so most popular selections.
For El-Nawal, Covid is a “silent war”, unlike the “tangible war”
she experienced as a child when planes regularly bombed her native
Lebanon. At 12-years old she left with only a doll. But there Chef
Sonia developed her “love for food and generosity; it’s a culture of
(Mediterranean) food and sharing.”
Rooster Boy Café. 2620 Regatta Dr., Las Vegas. (702) 560-2453.
Wednesday – Sunday, 8:30 – 2:30. www.RoosterBoyCafe.com
Sam Wagmeister is The Vegas Voice Nightlife Editor. He loves to
hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact him via email:
LasVegasHomeTeam@Gmail.com.
14
March 2021
In the past I have tried several, but none had a color that I felt looked
close to my normal color, especially when highlighted in the sun. That
is until I discovered Keracolor Clenditioner at Ulta!
The line has some crazy bright colors like pink and blue, but it also
has a several natural colors in silver, brown, dark brown, black and
blonde.
I have been using Mocha. It is a medium brown color without
leaning red or ash. It is a no-mix, cleansing conditioner that is heavily
pigmented.
There are no sulfates, no parabens and it’s cruelty free! The price is
also reasonable at $22 for the 12 oz. pump.
You can use it dry if you want it stronger or use it when your hair
is wet as a cleanser. The more you use, the more color it leaves. Wear
gloves and be sure to protect your clothing and furnishings as it will
stain.
Keep in mind Clenditioner does not act as a full coverage color or
last as long on gray hair, but rather it gives a nice color and helps to
blend and hide the gray. It is a wonderful alternative if you haven’t had
a chance to try an at-home color or want to check out a new color on
yourself.
Although it’s temporary, and should wash out in several washes,
it’s still good to do a small sample test. Depending on the color you
choose, and the current situation with your own color, make sure it’s
the effect you want. If your hair is chemically treated, it may not rinse
out as easily.
Linda Bateman-Gomez has an international beauty company
based in Las Vegas that specializes in cosmetics and other beauty
products. Contact Linda at TimelessBeauty2020@gmail.com or
through her website www.fullips.com.