Eye-catching Buddhist Guanyin statuettes sit atop the handsome white-and-bronze-mirrored dresser in Roger Thomas’s office, one of its many global elements. For a deep thinker like Thomas, seeing the world is an important source of inspiration: Flip open the dresser’s top drawer to find his piles of bound red and black Hermès sketchbooks. “While traveling, I draw every idea I have,” says the design powerhouse, “good or bad, all day, every day.”

When walking through the ornate lobby of Wynn Las Vegas, Thomas’s global aesthetic is palpable. As the executive vice president of design for Wynn Design and Development, Thomas has made every project for Steve Wynn a progression from the last one, so that the history of hotel-casino design on the Strip can practically be seen through his creations. The Mirage’s indoor tropical rainforest and Treasure Island’s swashbuckler theme fed the ideas that would spawn Bellagio, with its detailed and elaborate Lake Como theme and botanical conservatory. The Wynn Las Vegas and Encore properties were both a departure and a progression from all previous projects, with the idea of an overall theme abandoned in favor of completely original “design language.”

But Thomas’s work is never done: In line with Steve Wynn’s belief that once you’ve set the bar, you need to keep raising it, Thomas recently completed a revamp of the resort’s Tower Suites and the creation of a new high-limit slots room. “They had wanted a dark, men’s club kind of thing,” he says. “Turns out the people who use high-limit slots are women, so that wasn’t the right move. So we took out Blush nightclub and did a new high-limit slots area. We’ve also tripled the size of the Tower Suite lobby, and I’ve completely refreshed Tableau, with a whole new scheme and colors and a glistening marble floor. It’s a much more active, younger, funnier, brighter room.”

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The new high-stakes slots room at Wynn: dark no more

 

Among Thomas’s collectibles is this letter from World War II that fell out of an oil jar he found in his travels

 

Magnifying glasses: a treasured tool of the trade

 

Thomas’s ubiquitous and invaluable sketchbooks number in the hundreds

 

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Thomas’s own environs, thanks to more than three decades of collecting, are brimming with eye-catching objects. A large painting of a younger Thomas, looking quite dashing in a tuxedo with a Russian wolfhound, hangs between two bookcases lined with notes, plans, books, and collectibles that have only the designer’s world travels in common. On the design front, his next progression will be Wynn Cotai, set to break ground this year. Thomas has been going at full speed with projects for Wynn Resorts’ third property in Macau and ongoing redesigns at Wynn Las Vegas (which celebrates its seventh anniversary in April), while also fulfilling obligations for his Roger Thomas Collection of luxury furniture, décor, and now jewelry. “I’ve always said I am a residential designer,” Thomas says about his foray into home décor. “I just do really big residences.”

The Thomas Collection includes a 34-piece line of furniture for luxe design company Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman, as well as mirrors, outdoor furniture, wall coverings, carpet design, and lighting for other high-end furnishers. The collection was named to Architectural Digest’s prestigious AD 100 list for 2012. His jewelry line is the newest frontier: Made with Murano glass, Thomas’s designs will be manufactured by Italian mosaic specialists Sicis. He had worked with the company on the floors for the Bellagio conservatory and Encore before Sicis’ owner asked him to create micro-mosaic rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Cuff links are next, sure to find their way into the wardrobe of his most important client.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEILA NAVIDI (OPENER), LETTER, GLASSES, SKETCHBOOKS); GERALD GAUNTY (SLOTS ROOM)

	Man with a (nightlife) plan: SBE’s Sam Nazarian

When SBE opens its first club in Las Vegas on December 31, it won’t be just a new nightlife player in town; it also becomes one of the biggest. With 32 venues coast to coast (including Greystone Manor, The Colony, and The Abbey in Los Angeles), SBE’s portfolio casts an impressive shadow. The irony, of course, is that until now SBE hasn’t owned a single club on the Strip. That all changes this New Year’s Eve, when Hyde Bellagio opens its doors. “We’re really, really focused on hitting this one out of the park,” says SBE founder, chairman, and CEO Sam Nazarian.

An ultra-lounge by day and chic nightclub by night, Hyde Bellagio comes from SBE’s most prominent nightlife brand, with locations on the Sunset Strip, at the Staples Center, and at Mammoth Mountain (and next summer, on South Beach). You’ve likely heard of it, whether you’ve partied with the stars in SoCal (Prince, Gerard Butler, will.i.am, and Drew Barrymore are among SBE’s A-list regulars), or read about it in the tabloids.

Nazarian, 36, says Hyde is the kind of place that is “just as fun at 5 PM on a Tuesday as 3 AM on a Saturday.” The locale already has that mojo—Hyde is opening in the former home of Fontana Bar, with its famous views of the fountains that made it a hot spot afternoon to night.

In a world of mega-venues that weigh in at more than 60,000 square feet of pool clubs, lounges, and restaurants, Hyde’s 10,000 square feet will be a stand-out quality. “The DNA is different,” says SBE’s head of nightlife, Costas Charalambous, “from design to programming to service.” Nazarian says that at SBE’s core is repeat business, both local and non-local—after all, there is now no need for his LA fans to spend their money elsewhere when they weekend in Sin City. Stellar customer service and taking care of familiar faces are more plausible in this intimate locale. (Hyde’s capacity is 714, while its competitors easily turn five times that every night.)

Unlike many Vegas nightclub heavyweights, Nazarian didn’t get his start as a promoter. “We owned 12 hotels before we opened our first club,” he says. “Real estate allowed me to understand the importance of locations.” With the romance of the Bellagio fountains at its doorstep, Hyde seems to have hit the Vegas jackpot. “It was worth the wait,” Nazarian says.

In town, SBE did go the hotel route first: It owns the Sahara, which will soon embark on a massive remodel and give way to an all-new hotel/casino concept, including a sprawling beer garden and 21,000-square-foot nightclub. But first, Nazarian must survive his first New Year’s in Vegas. “It’s going to be a very special opening,” he says. “Expect everything.” Hyde Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S.

The Frank Gehry-designed Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health has brought much attention to Downtown

	Maureen Peckman

In four short years, Cleveland Clinic Nevada’s chief emerging business officer, Maureen Peckman, has overseen the construction of one of Las Vegas’s most anticipated new medical advancement centers and negotiated the marriage of Keep Memory Alive with Cleveland Clinic, its chosen medical partner. The thriving Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health at Symphony Park has been fully operational since mid 2010.

Raising money for the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders, Keep Memory Alive was cofounded by local philanthropist and Southern Wine & Spirits senior managing director Larry Ruvo in the mid ’90s. Its annual Power of Love fundraiser has since raised more than $100 million for the cause. Both the organization and Nevada scored a big win when the prestigious Cleveland Clinic partnered with Ruvo to open a new facility here—named after his father, who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease—as the high-ranking clinic is renowned and only operates in a few select cities worldwide.

Keep Memory Alive now functions as the center’s charitable arm with its dedicated Keep Memory Alive Events Center space, with Ruvo still serving as chairman of the board. “We have early detection, diagnosis, ongoing treatment, and research and caregiver services,” Peckman says. “All of our doctors are highly specialized in this area of neurocognitive [disorders]. This model, in terms of the specialization of physicians, the size and scope of our services, and the space that we have, doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.”

Peckman was first brought on board at Keep Memory Alive in 2007, when Ruvo was looking for someone to manage the completion of the $80 million construction project and direct its operational growth.

“My job is to look ahead 20 years and envision this as a western US campus for the Cleveland Clinic,” she says. “We focus on brain health today, but in 2025, we will have heart and digestive disorders, neurology, pediatrics, and autism.” Additionally, Peckman helps with venture capitalist fundraising, healthcare policy, and bringing new medical lines to Las Vegas.

Despite her prominent position, Peckman loves taking phone calls, speaking with patients and families whom the center helps. “At the Cleveland Clinic, that’s our culture,” she says. “I don’t care how big of a title you’ve got or where you are at in your station in life, we all need each other.”

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEFF GALE

The best thing about Vegas is: It’s one of my favorite places in the world.

The one thing you don't know about me is: I actually love to gamble, and I think I’m quite good at it.

The place I was dying to hit when I arrived here was: Mix at Mandalay Bay. The bar has an incredible view.

I may be from Australia but Vegas is: Where I chose to host my 30th birthday.

My ideal dinner is: Somewhere quiet with beautiful French food, nice wine and my girl.

My first impression of Vegas was: A bloody good one. I went with my best mate when I was 26 years old. Within 20 minutes, on the way to our room, we’d won a month’s rent at the blackjack table.

My favorite Vegas memory is: Flying over the Grand Canyon with my friends and family all dressed in costume and behaving badly.

Vegas is strangely like Australia because: The sun always shines, and the people love cold beer.

Curtis Stone is the host of Top Chef Masters on Bravo.

The best thing about Vegas is: The atmosphere of decadence. Sounds like a rock album.

Do you gamble? I’ve hit a royal flush on video poker twice for $50K, and I’ve probably won more than $75K over the years. The problem with that is you think you can do it again. So, I’d say I’ve given that back over time.

What do you remember about your first trip to Vegas? My first trip to Vegas was a road trip from Texas Tech with my fraternity brothers. We were barely 21 and broke. I thought it would be a great idea to ride in the open bed of a pickup truck 13 hours to Vegas. Stupid.

What's the best thing about getting out of LA and hitting Vegas? That the plane ride is up, and down. You can barely finish your beer.

Vegas: love or hate? I hate that I love it so much!

One thing you've always meant to do in Vegas but haven't? Ride the Stratosphere roller coaster!

Were you queasy about blood and bodies before CSI? No. But the crime scene and everything is fake. I’ve shared a cigarette with an actor whose neck was slit on more than one occasion.

On March 15, the incomparable Céline Dion took to the stage for a three-year engagement at the place that started it all, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The beloved French-Canadian songstress will again make grown women cry with her brand-new show paying homage to Hollywood. ticketmaster.com; celineinvegas.com

Everyone Always Asks Me: What Simon Cowell is really like. But now people are finally starting to know me from things other than American Idol.

Secret Weapon When Traveling: I’m a big vitamin taker and take probiotics to keep me healthy. I also put a thin layer of Vaseline in my nose before I get on a plane to block infections.

Vegas Is: Maybe the only place left where you can see someone at 6 in the morning in a sequined gown and not look twice. I just love it!

Favorite Place to Go in Town: Still has to be Tao. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad meal there.

The First Time I Ever Visited: Was when I came to be on Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star show when I was 17. Once again, always the bridesmaid! I came in second. First prize was a PT Cruiser, and I really wanted it!

Favorite Charity: Feeding America and its program to ensure that children have access to meals. I’m on their entertainment council and get to meet a lot of the kids.

We caught up with Adam Carolla—radio personality, comedian, actor, author—to see what he really thinks of Vegas.

Vegas is: The best and worst that society has to offer.

The worst part: McCarran International Airport is the worst airport in the country. LAX is bad, but not consistently bad. It’s hit-or-miss bad.

Your favorite comedy show seen in Vegas: I don’t like comedy that much, so I never go to comedy clubs. I consider this a job like everything else. When I was a carpenter and driving to Simi Valley for a job, no one said, “You must love concrete!”

The part of comedy you actually enjoy: It feels good when you’re onstage and people laugh. You’re a better man for that sense of satisfaction.

Gambling: I’m an unlucky person. The guys to my left and right get blackjack five times, as I get a 13. I never win. The last 10 times I sat down, it was pathetic. At a certain point, I thought, this is ridiculous. So I stopped.

In your new book, In Fifty Years We’ll All Be Chicks, you call yourself middle-aged: I don’t act or sound like it, but rules are rules. If you live to 70, 78, then 39 is essentially middle-aged. What are you going to do?

I became an actor… After I saw Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire.

I love my new role (Chad Griffin on ABC's The Whole Truth) because… Of the entire ensemble, he's the most inexperienced. I like his potential and that he has to prove himself.

People know I'm from Vegas when… I tell them my mom went into labor at Circus Circus Casino.

Favorite guilty pleasure… Bare pool & lounge in the summer.

When I'm in Vegas I always go to… Peppermill. I was there my entire junior year of high school.

Favorite times as a kid in Vegas… Were during my year at the Las Vegas Academy. We'd skip school and go to the strip.

Post-21st Birthday… I threw one of my best friends a bachelor party. We'll take those stories to the grave.

The last time I was in Vegas… Was at least a year ago. This inspired me.

Mandalay Bay Arts Center hosted the 11th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 11, and the man on the red carpet—and shooting exclusive photos for vegasmagazine.com—was Raúl de Molina (PICTURED AT RIGHT). Read the scoop on him here: 
 

• De Molina is the multiple-Emmy-award winning cohost of Univision network’s number-one rated entertainment news show, El Gordo y La Flaca, which he has co-hosted with Lili Estefan for the past 12 years. (Estefan is the niece of music mogul and producer Emilio Estefan, who is the husband of singer/song writer Gloria Estefan.)
   
• El Gordo y La Flaca has more viewers in its time slot than ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX combined. 
   
• In 2008 People en Espanol named de Molina one of the most influential Hispanics in the United States.
   
• He is a serious art collector and on the host committee for Art Basel Miami Beach. His art collection includes pieces by Kcho, Jesus Rafael Soto, Bedia, Mendive, Martin Schoeller, Agustín Bejarano, Purvis Young, Duval Carrié and Gustavo Acosta, among others.
   
• He wrote the bestselling book La Dieta del Gordo and is an accomplished photojournalist, whose work has been featured in Time, Newsweek, Life and Paris Match. He was one of the original contributors to the Huffington Post’s food section, and he continues to write regularly on topics ranging from food and travel to sports and Hispanic culture.