🪩 How they plan to power The Sphere

⛈️ Stormy Weather

Here we are, leading with the weather again. For good reason: Wednesday night’s rains wrought plenty of havoc, from ceiling bits falling at Harrah’s to several people caught in floodwaters, necessitating rescue. Meanwhile, the effects of Hurricane Hilary, mild in the valley, are still being felt on Mount Charleston, where roads were damaged and residents were without power; some got fed by chef Jose Andres’ food-aid org. [Las Vegas Locally, KVVU, Review-Journal]

• For more: On today’s podcast, longtime Mount Charleston resident John L. Smith talks about the situation. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

🪐 To Infinity — and Beyond!

There’s more going on at UNLV than top-notch hospitality education and research into basketball nostalgia. Some of its labs are probing the mysteries of space — black holes, planet formation. Next stop, Mars! [Las Vegas Weekly]

• In addition: Where to see the (actual, not celebrity) stars in Las Vegas.[City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

🗞️ Vendor to Remain

Jose Hernandez, the street vendor arrested after video of his confrontation with a Metro cop went viral — and whom ICE had earmarked for deportation — has been released on bail and will be allowed to apply for asylum. [Nevada Independent]

🪩 Power Source

It takes a kilowatt or two to power The Sphere, and, at least according to a plan filed with the Public Utilities Commission by NV Energy, eventually 70% of it will come from renewable sources. [Review-Journal]

• Pairs well with: Best places to view The Sphere. [Hey Las Vegas 📧]

🎫 ‘The Tempest’ | Tonight-Sunday | Various times

Las Vegas Little Theatre and the Alchemy Arts Academy team up for this late-period Shakespearean classic, which features a shipwreck, magic, young love, and more. [Las Vegas Little Theatre, Valley View and Spring Mountain; $20-$10]

🎤 ‘Stronger Together’ | Saturday, Sunday | 3 p.m.

Performer Shaun Boothe integrates biographical rap songs into a celebration of “the lives of some of our most influential human rights and social justice activists.” [West Charleston Library on Saturday, Summerlin Library on Sunday’ free]

🚗 Henderson Hot Wheels 500 | Saturday | 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hot Wheels enthusiasts of any age can race, play, and display their best. [Whitney Ranch Rec Center; $10]

😶 Intro to Mime Workshop | Saturday | 12:30 p.m.

The whole family can learn the secret to appearing to be trapped in a glass box. Taught by a Cirque professional. [Winchester Dondero Cultural Center; free]

🤹 ‘The Nevada Legislature, Explained’ | Saturday | 2 p.m.

Oh, this oughta be good. In an effort to stimulate voter participation, this nonpartisan, non-endorsing program will explain why local elections are so important. [Spring Valley Library, Jones and Rochelle; free]

• Fun aside: The wackiest bills proposed in this year’s Legislature. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

🎶 My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult | Saturday | 9 p.m.

Electronic industrial rock pioneers focus on their early music in their “Evil Eye Tour.” [Artifice, Arts District; $31.35]

🍿 National Cinema Day | Sunday | Various times

A bunch of Regal, Century, and AMC theaters offer $4 movies. Find theaters and tickets at the link. [Various locations]

• Related: Vegas movies we love — and hate. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

🏜️ ‘Saving Nevada’s Cultural Heritage on Public Lands’ | Monday | 6 p.m.

How can the state’s natural formations, historic sites, and cultural artifacts be preserved in the face of rampant human vandalism and narcissism? That’s the topic of this discussion by Nevadans for Cultural Preservation. [Clark County Library; free]

🎨 Barrick Museum Fall Exhibits | Monday | Gallery hours

UNLV’s terrific museum powers up its fall season with three new exhibitions: one about the artistic depiction of emotions; another highlighting cut and torn paper; and the third examining the historical treatment of Chinese Americans in Tonopah. Reception on Sept. 1. [UNLV; free]

Weather, Wings, and Walters

Is there a flaming hay shed around here? Because today’s news roundup is a real barn-burner. Journalist John L. Smith joins podcast co-hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler to talk about the big rains on Mount Charleston (which I suppose would’ve extinguished any burning barns), the bats and bedbugs in Strip hotels, and the redemption tour of notorious gambler, developer, and convicted inside-trader Billy Walters.