Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! The town is jammed during this Thanksgiving holiday time. I haven’t seen so many families in the buffet lines in a long time. Instead of going to Grandma’s house, far-flung families use Las Vegas as a central meeting point. Every restaurant in every hotel had Thanksgiving fare on the menu and the wide variety of activities means that every extended family member can find enjoyable things to do.
Because of the holiday week, this issue is on shorter than normal, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t busy! I was fortunate enough to see a number of family members over the past few months as they visited Las Vegas so myself and recently-returned staff member Rick Ziegler are reviewing and discussing a number of major improvements and upgrades to literally every aspect of AccessVegas.com. Our last makeover and upgrade was some 7 years ago, so it is about time!
Among Rick’s many strong points are video and social media, so we’re going heavily in that direction. We were one of the first travel sites to put out regular streaming video when we launched our All Vegas TV brand over 10 years ago. In fact, many of the oldest videos are still available in dial-up speed! But alas, the popularity of streaming internet video was still years away. Time has caught up, and we’re dusting the project off and relaunching it.
We’re not only going to update and upgrade every page of content, but will launch entirely new site sections based on amazing among of reader feedback we get to allvegastv@aol.com. 41,000+ subscribers give us a solid pulse on what Vegas visitors are interested in. Which is where you come in:
We’re after suggestions and constructive criticism. What would you like to see more of? What would you like to see changed for the better? What do we currently not offer that you’d enjoy seeing us offer? What other travel sites do you visit (Vegas or otherwise) and what do they do or offer that you really enjoy? Any other comments or suggestions?
This is your chance to step up and make your voice heard. All emails (including complaints or constructive criticism) are welcomed at allvegastv@aol.com We’ll read them ALL and respond to as many as possible!
The above shots are from a previous year’s Bellagio Conservatory Harvest (Thanksgiving time) display. The current harvest display will run through the end of November and admission is complimentary. The Christmas/Holiday display debuts December 3.
My best to each and every one of you as we enter this holiday season.
Enjoy This Issue!
Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Rick Ziegler
Johnny Smalls Serves Up Unlimited Tapas For $19.99 At Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas – Small plates are the new big deal at Johnny Smalls, inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Guests may indulge in the All You Can Eat Tapas special priced at only $19.99 and select from any of the regular menu items. Menu selections include small bites such as the mouth-watering Smalls Balls, crispy Tater Fries and scrumptious Mac n Cheese Sliders. Johnny Smalls also features an expansive specialty cocktail list, premium beers and wines.
The Venetian Rolls Out The Red Carpet For America’s Veterans With “Tribute to the Troops” – In celebration of Veteran’s Day, The Sands Foundation honored our nation’s veterans with an over-the-top weekend of entertainment, world-class dining, and relaxation at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. Nearly 75 wounded soldiers and their families arrived to a heartwarming red-carpet welcome in The Venetian’s Grand Colonnade. More than 1,000 gracious guests and Venetian team members cheered on the veterans as they proceeded through the crowd to the welcoming ceremony.
Blue Man Group Introduces Official @BMGVegas Tweet Spot At Its Theatre Inside The Venetian Las Vegas – Today, Blue Man Group Las Vegas introduced the official @BMGVegas Tweet Spot to inspire creative Twitter posts from guests attending the bald and blue trio’s nightly performances inside The Venetian Las Vegas. As a member of the Twitter community, Blue Man Group Las Vegas encourages Twitter users to stop by the @BMGVegas Tweet Spot before or after the show to share their thoughts and experiences. The @BMGVegas Tweet Spot, a distinctive Blue Man-esque mat in the lobby of the theatre, gives guests on Twitter the opportunity to embrace Blue Man Group’s unique style with each tweet. Guests can follow Blue Man Group Las Vegas on Twitter at @BMGVegas.
Pictured Left to Right: Sally G, Jason Tenner as “Prince”
and Adrienne Diamond
Purple Reign Celebrates One Year Reign At Hooters Casino Hotel – On Tuesday, November 16th, Purple Reign celebrated their one year anniversary at Hooters Casino Hotel with a VIP party at Dixie’s Dam Bar. The evening began with cocktail and a Hooters style buffet . Strip Headliner, Kevin Burke even made an appearance at the cocktail party before heading off to his hit show “Defending the Caveman” at the Excalibur.
Desert Safari Hummer Adventure Tour û Get the real rugged desert terrain experience in a seven passenger, original Hummer. See deserted mines and the ruins of old mining camps. The tour will ascend 4,000 feet for a breathtaking view of valleys and mountains! You may encounter Big Horn Sheep, Wild Burros, Mustangs and even the elusive Kit Fox on the tour.
Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! Summer became winter literally overnight. Saturday (a week ago, Nov. 6) I spent the day on my back patio basking in 81 degree weather (F) while I watched college football.* Two days later (on a Monday, no less) highs were in the mid-60’s and it was raining!
If you’re headed our way, don’t despair. Temps are still pushing 70 degrees, although average highs in December and January are only 57. Not pool weather, but warmer than most of the US, Canada, and Europe.
* I have an old-school 19″ TV that I picked up for $25 on Craigslist which I keep on the back patio (at that price, who cares if someone steals it and who is going to want it!) and use X10’s Wireless Video Sender which beams whatever is on my cable box to the outside TV (and even lets me change cable box channels from outside).
Blue Man Group Las Vegas is calling on its Twitter followers to help the more than 250,000 Southern Nevadans currently struggling with hunger by mentioning @BMGVegas in a tweet between now and Nov. 30. Throughout November, every time @BMGVegas is mentioned in a tweet, Blue Man Group will donate $1 (up to $1,500) to Three Square Food Bank.
Suggested Tweet: Through Nov. 30, every time @BMGVegas is tagged in a Tweet they will donate $1 to @threesquareLV (up to $1,500)!
We’re proud to have Blue Man Group as a longtime sponsor (click their ad on the right sidebar to save on tickets) of this newsletter. Here’s a way you can promote them and help the needy as well!
Speaking Of Sponsors… The Lion King Las Vegas has also been great, long-time sponsor and we’ve got both good news and bad news regarding the show: The show has been extended through the end of 2011. And then it is done in Las Vegas. I’ve yet to meet anyone who went to see The Lion King who didn’t thoroughly enjoy it. So… you might want to snap up tickets (see right sidebar) for your next trip before the show ends!
Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson The Immortal is the name of the long-rumored Cirque-based Micheal Jackson show. Here’s the plan: Create it as a touring show, debut it in Montreal (Cirque’s home), take it to Las Vegas, then take the show around North America before returning it to Las Vegas in a custom theatre a la the other Vegas-based Cirque shows.
Circus Circus Adventuredome – People sometimes complain about the cost of various entertainment in Las Vegas, but here’s one you really can’t beat (if you have the stomach for it): All-day ride passes at Adventuredome are $16.95 (33 inches to under 48 inches tall) and $26.95 (48 inches tall or taller). The Adventuredome features 25 rides and attractions, is open daily year-round, maintains a constant temperature of 72 degrees (nice considering chilly weather is setting in here).
Bring Back The Boardwalk! – As many of you know, CityCenter’s Harmon tower (the rounded building on the north end) never opened due to construction defects. The building is now slated for demolition in 2012 (the delay due to ongoing litigation surrounding the project). This will give them a bit of a “do over” as one of the chief issues plaguing CityCenter has been that it simply isn’t inviting to those strolling The Strip. Me? I miss The Boardwalk, the modest hotel which used to occupy the southern piece of what is now the CityCenter complex. Easy parking, great lounge acts, and who can forget the clown:
Enjoy This Issue!
Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs
Sammy Hagar To Host ‘Pro Football Thursdays’ Kick Off Party At Cabo Wabo Cantina – Cabo Wabo Cantina will kick off Pro Football Thursdays with host Sammy Hagar Thursday, November 11. The original red rocker will return to rock his Vegas cantina with killer food and drink specials as the Baltimore Ravens take on the Atlanta Falcons during NFL’s official kickoff of Thursday night football. This event is open to the public.
Celebrate The Holidays With “The Feast Of Seven Fishes,” A Cooking Class At Nove Italiano On Dec. 4 – This holiday season, Executive Chef Geno Bernardo invites cooking enthusiasts to take a culinary adventure to experience one of Italy’s bountiful traditions, “The Feast of Seven Fishes.” Celebrated on Christmas Eve in Italy, the delicious holiday tradition gathers friends and family together for a festive meal served with different types of family-style fish dishes to toast the holiday season. Chef Geno brings this time honored tradition to Nove Italiano, as he hosts his intimate cooking class called “The Feast of Seven Fishes” on Dec. 4.
And The Las Vegas Luxist Awards Go Toà Restaurant Guy Savoy At Caesars Palace, Strip House At Planet Hollywood – Luxist, the AOL Web site covering the world of luxury and fine living, is showering awards on Harrah’s Entertainment restaurants: Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace has been named one of the top five restaurant in the U.S. category, “Best Domestic Restaurant” while the Strip House brand, which has a location at Planet Hollywood was named “Best Steakhouse.”
Play Social Media “I Spy” With Rhumbar – Snap A Photo Of The Rhumbar Convertible And Win – The RHUMBAR engine is roaring and ready to go with a social media game of “I Spy.” Now through the end of the year, patrons that spot RHUMBAR’s custom-wrapped 1960 Ford Galaxie Sunliner convertible cruising around town will be rewarded with a complimentary Sailor Jerry Rum Punch cocktail at RHUMBAR.
Maverick Grand Canyon Landing Sunset Tour û This spectacular helicopter air excursion lands at the Grand Canyon and flies over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Fortification Hill. Relax and enjoy the views on the return sunset flight through Black Canyon to the south Las Vegas valley.
I am turning 50 on New Years Day. We had talked about going to Vegas for New Years but now there are only a couple hotels with rooms and they are $400 and up.
Are there any close to the strip (within walking distance) for my disabled (bad back) husband that wouldn’t be so expensive?
Thanks,
Lori
Ted Responds:
Certainly a great way to celebrate a big birthday!
Using the booking box on our site AccessVegas.com, I’m finding Royal Resort (one short block from The Strip) at $121, Gold Coast (1/2 mile from strip, free shuttle) at $146, Orleans (1.5 miles, free shuttle) at $152.
On the Strip, Sahara is $169, Hooters $186, Riviera $199, Strat $206, Hilton (monorail to Strip) $224, Trump $256, etc.
These rates were per night for Dec. 31 check-in and Jan. 2 check-out.
You should be booking on our site instead of wherever you were looking! We have great deals, and supporting our travel partners helps support our newsletter.
Just a note to tell Las Vegas casino owners that they are NOT the only star fish in the sea. My wife and I decided to try Biloxi casinos this last week instead of Vegas. I must say food is great and reasonably priced. Slot machine play is much much better than Vegas strip casinos,and they are very generous with drinks and comps. We are thinking of returning to Biloxi next time, since we had such a good time. Wake up Vegas Casino owners or somebody else will get your customers.
Mick
Ted Responds:
Actually, some of the same companies that run many of the casinos here in Las Vegas also run the casinos in Biloxi.
Generally speaking, the properties there were built for less money (and longer ago) and they don’t have to recoup the billions that have been put into many of the newer Las Vegas resorts.
Similar to downtown Las Vegas: With the exception of the Golden Nugget, nothing new has been built down there in some time. They have to work harder for customers. Hence, the looser slots, better table game rules, and lower food prices.
You can’t build a place like Wynn and have $1.99 breakfast specials. Cost a lot to build, costs a lot to stay there, takes a lot of play to get comped there. And in fact, they don’t want the frugal crowd in their doors.
No question that Las Vegas has turned into a resort city that offers gaming. If gaming is the basic purpose of a vacation, that can be done in a number of places now.
Las Vegas visitor numbers continue to improve slowly but surely. Certainly, you can try your luck in other places. But there is only one Las Vegas.
Just got back from our annual trip to Vegas and wanted to let everyone know a few things. One, if you’re riding the bus, either the deuce or the gold line make sure you have a ticket before you get on the bus (also you need correct change to buy your ticket). You can’t pay the driver for your ticket, you have to have it in advance.
Second, can’t say enough about the fantastic steak dinner at Ellis Island Casino. For $7.99 it’s one of the best steaks I’ve ever had. Took all our friends and everyone just raved about how good the steak was. Found a new restaurant that was also a great place, Chicago Joe’s. Had a lot of fun there and the food was excellent.
As per everyone else, slots were very tight, no winners in our group.
Saw Cher, great show. Enjoyed that tremendously. Also saw Zumanity which was another great Cirque show. So far we only have Ka and Viva Elvis left to see.
Had a really good time even though the weather was awful, never had this much rain in Vegas.
One other thing, the “sandwich trick” worked for all of us (3 couples, 3 separate rooms) everyone got upgrade to a better room. Glad I read that here and told everyone about it. (they were so impressed!!!!) So thanks for all the good info you have in your newsletter. Keep up the good work!!
Monica
Ted Responds:
The Ellis Island complete steak dinner has been a long-time value. (Ellis Island is at Flamingo and Koval, basically kitty-corner from the Westin). Downside is the wait their coffee shop has during peak times, but they have an on-site brew pub and some very reasonably priced hand-crafted beer to enjoy while you wait. We’ve talked about Chicago Joe’s (downtown) before and couldn’t agree with you more.
Hint to everybody regarding the slots: Yes, you want to play all the cool, new penny slots. But they are the tightest because people get sucked into wanting to keep playing them. If you aren’t winning on penny slots, try some old school quarter slots. (To win anything anyway, you have to play up to $1.00 a spin on the penny machines).
Thanks for the great trip report and good tips!
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Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! I’m just barely bouncing back from a nasty bout with the flu, so not much from me today. It was no fun. Not just the being sick part, but here I’ve in bed when we are having spectacular November days with temps in the low 80’s (F). Are you kidding me? Flawless weather, plenty of action on The Strip and downtown, and I’m laid with a jumbo box of Kleenex.
Plus, I missed getting out for Halloween weekend in Las Vegas:
I also missed a couple of events I was looking forward to attending (sorry!) and am extremely backed up on email and voice mail. If you are waiting for me to get back to you, I apologize.
Knock on wood, I’ll be back in full-force in the next few days. We still have all of the regular news and info as prepared by staff to keep you up on what is happening in Las Vegas.
Enjoy This Issue!
Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs
Penn & Teller Celebrate A Decade At The Rio By Extending Through 2013 – My how time flies when you’re playing with knives, guns, livestock and fire-eating showgirls. Such is the case with Penn & Teller, the notorious bad boys of magic. In addition to celebrating their upcoming tenth anniversary playing at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, the twisted duo has extended their show through 2013.
Kahunaville Livens Up Vegas Nights With Live Band Karaoke Thursday Through Saturday Nights – Kahunaville at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino invites guests to live it up with live entertainment Thursday through Saturday nights. Vegas’ favorite island restaurant and party bar will energize revelers with live band karaoke and performances by Rock the Mic starting at 10:30 p.m. The award-winning group will get the party started with exciting performances, while encouraging partygoers to step up to the mic and perform alongside the 5-piece band. Those that fail to carry a tune will be yanked off stage, sparing audience members their sanity.
Rock & Rita’s Rocks Beer Pong Every Tuesday – All-You-Can-Drink Drafts Every Tuesday At Circus Circus – The “Great American Party” restaurant and bar, Rock & Rita’s at Circus Circus, is taking the party to a new level every Tuesday night. Patrons will enjoy all-you-can-drink draft beer and exciting beer pong tournaments Tuesdays starting at 10 p.m.
Tacos & Tequila Las Vegas Unveils Social Media “I Spy” – Spot T&T’s Custom Cadillac Cruising And Win – I spy with my little eye, a green T&T Cadillac zipping around town. Tacos & Tequila has unveiled a brand-new social media game, inviting Las Vegas locals and tourists to partake in a game of “I Spy” for a chance to win two-for-one Cadillac margaritas now through the end of the year.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar At Town Square Las Vegas Unveils Fall/Winter Collection For “Drink Of The Month” – Guests have a brand new special cocktail to experience every month at Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar at Town Square Las Vegas where “Life is One Long Weekend.” Tommy Bahama is unveiling its fall/winter collection of cocktails. The price: $10 to $11, a great value for ultra premium rum mixed with seasonal fruits and juices.
Hidden Valley and Primm ATV Tour û Drive ATVs along the dusty trails in the McCullough Mountain range, Hidden Valley and across the Roach Dry Lakebed. This is the longest ATV tour in Las Vegas and will cover anywhere from 20 to over 50 miles of desert terrain.
Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:
Ted is under the weather this week. His sections will return next week. Please enjoy the news and information gathered by staff. Ted encourages all of our U.S. readers to study your local and national issues and get out and vote.
Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs
Lakeside Grill Opens At Wynn Las Vegas – Award-Winning Chef David Walzog Introduces Updated American Classics In A Vibrant Setting On The Lake Of Dreams – Opening this November, Lakeside Grill will bring a lively new dining destination to Wynn Las Vegas. Situated on the picturesque Lake of Dreams, Executive Chef David Walzog offers modern twists on classic American dishes in a striking and stylish setting. Lakeside Grill is the second restaurant at Wynn helmed by Walzog, who has garnered critical acclaim for his cuisine at SW, the resort’s signature steakhouse.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Harrah’s Entertainment)
Entertainer Donny Osmond drops to his knee in front of his wife Debbie Osmond as they join 10 couples simultaneously get engaged at 10:10 am at The Forum Shops at Caesars on October 10, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Filled With Tears, Emotions, Ten Couples Get Engaged In Las Vegas At 10:10 A.M. On Oct. 10, 2010 At The Forum Shops At Caesars – On a sunny morning, crowds swelled around the Trevi Fountain at The Forum Shops at Caesars as 10 men simultaneously dropped to one knee to propose to the loves of their life at 10:10 a.m. on the auspicious date of Oct. 10, 2010. With entertainment legend Donny Osmond as host, sharing anecdotes about his incredible 30-year marriage to wife Debbie, the iconic Caesars Palace marquee counted down to the momentous event. The couples were then showered with rose petals as the crowd witnessed this incredible moment.
Eva Longoria Parker Unveils Madame Tussauds Wax Figure At Eve Nightclub In CityCenter Las Vegas – Madame Tussauds Las Vegas presented Eva Longoria Parker with a $300,000 wax figure replica last night at her nightclub, Eve, in Crystals at CityCenter Las Vegas. Longoria Parker was joined by her husband, Tony Parker, and parents, Ella and Enrique Longoria. The Hollywood starlet was chosen to be inducted into Madame Tussauds Las Vegas during National Hispanic Heritage Month, where she was honored for her outstanding success and philanthropic efforts. The statue is now on display at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas.
The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas Announces An Eclecticline-Up Of Boutiques And Stores – With the opening of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on December 15, 2010, the resort will unveil a boutique collection, a thoughtfully curated line-up of avant-garde boutiques and youthful brands known for their singular personality and fresh sense of style.
The 3-Martini “Lunch” Returns For Dinner – Now Available At Andre’s At Monte Carlo Las Vegas – This is the lunch menu to save for dinner. A play on words, Andre’s at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino now offers the 3-Martini “Lunch”à for dinner. Served nightly beginning at 5 p.m., the 3-martini lunch is $22 per person.
Gilley’s pit on the Treasure Island casino floor. Located across from Gilley’s store. Gilley’s Girl dealers take care of blackjack, big six, war and three-card poker patrons as country music plays from overhead LCD monitors. Hours: Thursday 9pm-5am Friday 9pm-5am Saturday 1pm-5am Sunday 1pm-9pm
Blue Man Group Performs During Roland V-Drums Contest Finals Free In Las Vegas – Roland, the world leader in electronic percussion, will host the Roland V-Drums« Contest National Finals at Sam Ash Music in Las Vegas. The event will feature an opening performance by Blue Man Group and is co-sponsored by Blue Man Group, REMO, Drum Workshop and DRUM! magazine.
Rockhouse Rocks With College Wednesdays – Students Celebrate With Open Bar Wednesday Nights – Because hard working college co-eds need equal play, Rockhouse will introduce “College Wednesdays.” Starting Wednesday, October 27, Rockhouse will open the doors to book worms and keg standers every Wednesday night with an open bar from 9 p.m. until midnight. The only ultra-dive bar on the Strip will prove to be the premier party destination for all college students û and even those that still wish they were. Co-eds with a college ID will enjoy all-they-can-drink, priced at just $5 for ladies and $10 for guys along with VIP bottle service starting at just $100. College years have come and gone? Or left that student ID at home? All wannabe students can still drink cheap with a $10 open bar for ladies and $20 for guys.
Eve Nightclub To Host Frightfully Sexy ‘Halloweve’ Parties October 27, 29 And 30 – Eva Longoria Parker’s glamorous nightclub Eve will host Vegas’ hottest ‘HallowEve’ parties with the Strip’s skimpiest costume contest Wednesday, October 27, a sexy Halloween bash hosted by Maxim’s Colleen Kennedy Friday, October 29, and a frightful Halloween extravaganza hosted by Mickey Avalon Saturday, October 30.
Hoover Dam Top to Bottom by Luxury SUV with Colorado River Float û Travel to Hoover Dam in style and comfort aboard a luxury SUV. You’ll have ample time to explore the National landmark. Then enjoy a guided Colorado River float tour by raft which offers you close-up views of Hoover Dam, mighty power plants, and Black Canyon.
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Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! Fall stormed in… literally. The past few days have seen massive thunderstorms with serious showers and the temps have dropped from the 80’s to the 70’s (F). With November temps averaging 66 degrees, I’m hoping we hold on to the 70’s as long as possible.
Correction – Last issue I noted that upwards of 40% of Nevadans simply do not like Reid at all (according to polls). The day after I published that issue, local news sources put Reid’s disapproval rating in Nevada at 52%. “But Ted, that can’t be” you say. “Anyone with those unfavorables is not electable”. Normally, this is true. Which is why the Reid campaign has used most of their advertising budget to paint challenger Sharon Angle as a lunatic. Frame this as a race between someone that people don’t like and a lunatic and Reid is hoping people see him as the lesser of evils.
I know we’re not a political newsletter but with so many reader inquiries, I figure a few of you want to know about the race.
In My Place (Kind Of) – My parents have been in town the past week. I wasn’t going to publish this week (we are only obligated to our advertisers for three issues per month). But… with so much Vegas news coming out, I said let’s do it.
However, since I didn’t have the substantial amount of time I put into Newkirk’s Notes, I decided to point you to the following videos from Norm Clarke. He’s one of the absolute best-informed guys in Las Vegas, he’s a super cool guy, down-to-earth, and gets to go out and see and do more stuff than I get to do! (Lucky Norm… he’s a columnist, I have business-related responsibilities as publisher of Access Vegas). Enjoy!
Norm Clarke’s Vegas Picks – Here at AccessVegas.com, we are unabashed fans of celebrity/gossip/insider scoop Las Vegas Review-Journal writer Norm Clarke. He’s been covering Las Vegas for well over a decade. He goes out of his way to be accurate. And, he’s literally one of the most attitude-free in a city where everybody thinks that they are important.
Norm recently sat down for an interview with Vegas Chatter and spilled the beans on his favorites regarding just about everything Las Vegas. Norm has seen and done just about everything, and these three videos are well worth watching. Click to view Las Vegas’ Top Insider Norm Clarke Shares His Sin City Suggestions and feel free to add your own thoughts at the bottom of that page!
For those of you who are active in various Vegas message boards, forums, and similar, here’s the shortened URL to the videos which you can copy and post elsewhere: http://x.co/JLmF
Another Reminder – We’ve added a whole bunch more stuff to our Las Vegas Halloween Section and continue to add information as we get it.
Enjoy This Issue!
Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs
Cartier Relocates To A Prominent New Location In The Forum Shops At Caesars Las Vegas – Cartier, one of the world’s most esteemed luxury houses, is excited to announce the relocation and re-opening of Cartier in The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas. Located in a new, significantly more sizable space in The Forum Shops, the boutique design combines traditional and modern elements to create an alluring and inviting retail space. The new boutique opened July 29 at the entrance of the mall in front of the Fountain of the Gods.
Rhumbar Las Vegas Stirs Up An Endless Summer With New Cocktails And Pitchers – Summer may be nearing its end but Rhumbar will keep the solstice-vibe in full effect with the addition of three new cocktails and five delicious pitchers to its already appealing menu. Now guests can continue to relax on the patio while enjoying Rhumbar’s endless summer nightlife featuring lively entertainment and the season’s most inspired cocktails. Rhumbar’s classic cocktails are now available in pitchers. Now partygoers can enjoy pitchers of red or white sangria, hurricane, mai tai or margarita served Strip-side, starting at $40.
Bravo’s Top Chef: Just Desserts Host Gail Simmons Headlines Food & Wine’s All-Star Weekend In Las Vegas – The inaugural FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend, hosted by FOOD & WINE’s Gail Simmons and an array of culinary all-stars, will take place in Las Vegas at luxury resorts Bellagio, ARIA, and Vdara November 5 -7. “FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend brings together all of the elements that make Las Vegas a top epicurean destination: talented chefs and wine experts, world-class luxury resorts; and lavish dining experiences at some of the leading restaurants in the country,” said FOOD & WINE VP/Publisher Christina Grdovic. “We are thrilled to partner with MGM Resorts International on this dynamic event.”
“True Bud” Is Back With A Vengeance At Rockhouse – Sink Your Teeth In To Rockhouse’s Halloween Weekend Lineup – “True Bud” Halloween weekend is back and thirsty for more. This Halloween, Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub will celebrate with four nights of costume contests and satisfying drink specials for partygoers to sink their teeth in to. Beginning Thursday, October 28, through Sunday, October 31, patrons will be thirsting to “suck your Bud” with two-for-one Budweiser bottled beers all weekend long. To put partygoers in the spooky spirit, DJ Joey Da Juice will spin party-inducing mash-ups on the ones and twos while Rockhouse gears up for a weekend full of costume contests and Halloween havoc.
Rock & Rita’s Las Vegas Gets Extreme With MXB Flair Competition At Circus Circus – Rock & Rita’s, the “Great American Party” restaurant and bar will go extreme in search of the world’s “Most Xtreme Bartender” (MXB), Wednesday nights at Circus Circus. The MXB flair bartending competition will push the boundaries as the industry’s top competitors stake their claim for the championship title, extreme prizes and cash. Kicking off Wednesday nights at 8 p.m., the six-week flair bartending competition will conclude with final rounds on Wednesday, November 10. Each night will showcase the thrilling talents of ten bartenders as they perform their most extreme tricks to win extreme prizes. The top two competitors of each night will advance to the final rounds, held at Rock & Rita’s.
Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant Las Vegas And Rosangel Tequila Break Guinness World Records For The “World’s Largest Pink Margarita” – Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant and Rosangel Tequila broke the Guinness World Records for “World’s Largest Pink Margarita” today. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Rosangel, the world’s premier hibiscus-infused tequila, gave the margarita a pink hue. A portion of the event’s proceeds benefitted Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Southern Nevada. (Photo Courtesy by Denise Truscello)
Maverick Grand Canyon Landing Tour û This spectacular helicopter air excursion lands at the Grand Canyon and flies over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Fortification Hill. Fly through Black Canyon and on your return to the south Las Vegas valley.
I’m hoping that you can suggest some possible alternatives to the Strip for our annual family reunion in the Vegas area.
For the last 16 years, we siblings along with our parents have gathered from all around the country to meet at the Flamingo for Dad’s birthday in May.
It has been a great run, but unfortunately, age and mobility issues are catching up with us. We are now in mid-40’s to late-80’s age range. The crowds of noisy 20-somethings and the hotels that cater to them are getting extremely annoying, and the huge casinos are getting too hard to navigate. We don’t come to party as much as to socialize and shop. So we are searching for another venue for next year that meets our requirements. Vegas is perfect for the weather and the convenience of air flights. We also need:
a pool for sunning – preferably without blasting music
a poker room
relatively quiet casino/public areas (it is the constantly blaring noise we object to)
a bonus would be shuttle/taxi distance to Strip shopping/shows
Can you offer some suggestions?
———-
On another topic – When I arrived last trip and got a cab from the airport to Flamingo, I was long-hauled. My fault – I was tired, and when the driver said he’d go on the freeway, ok?, I stupidly said “sure”. Too late, I remembered you writing about just that scenario. $26 fare – and obviously no tip.
For the rest of our stay, though, the cab drivers and restaurant and hotel service people we met were friendly, helpful, and professional.
I would offer a recommendation to anyone looking for a special group dinner venue. At Canaletto at the Venetian, we had 10 people in a small, private room upstairs overlooking St Mark’s Square. The food was incredible, the staff was extremely accommodating, the venue was very classy, and the prices fair.
Thanks for your help –
Judy
Ted Responds:
Thanks for the input from your last stay. Trip reports help other readers!
I’m glad that you brought this up because just recently we were noting around the office as to how many readers are regular visitors who are very amiable to staying off-strip if they knew more about the various properties.
M is really nice and reasonable rates, but they have a pretty active pool area (they invite locals, sell cabanas, have a DJ) and next May will be pool weather, so maybe too much noise/activity.
Offhand, Orleans and Sam’s Town would both be good picks. More subdued crowd, both nice/decent properties, plenty to do (movies, bowling), poker rooms, tons of on-site dining options, free shuttles to Strip. Sam’s Town is just a two block walk from The Cannery Hotel/Casino for a change of pace. Also, with a free shuttle, the South Point has the advantage of being a new property and just a couple of miles from the huge outlet mall at the way south end of The Strip.
If you love shopping, make sure you check out Town Square (1/2 mile south of Mandalay Bay). Upscale but worth browsing even if you don’t buy. Really a best kept secret as you feel you are walking around a few blocks of a prefect little town.
And keep in mind that the new express bus route runs from Town Square all the way downtown (Fremont Street Experience) and on to the the downtown outlet mall!
Primm Valley Resorts is a great day trip (and a proud sponsor of this newsletter, helping to keep it complimentary to our 41,000 readers). The shuttle from The Strip (shuttle schedule) is $15 round-trip and comes with more than $800 in savings at their huge outlet mall. The guys can gamble or play poker while the ladies shop or hit the spa.
Plus, they have two golf courses with tee times as low as $35 weekdays. No, the courses don’t suck — both are Tom Fazio courses and have won numerous awards! They just don’t experience the high demand because they are down the road a ways from Las Vegas. Go see for yourself: Primm Valley Golf Club Course Information. If you were driving in, I’d actually suggest Primm for the stay. It is one of the last places you’re going to run into the noisy twenty-something crowd!
Except for the lack of a poker room, Tuscany Suites is a best-kept secret. Downside is the very short taxi ride (no shuttle) or leg-stretching walk to The Strip.
Hope this helps and thanks for the input!
I am a soon-to-be retired railroad worker from NY state. Go to Vegas approximately twice a year for the last 8 or nine years. I must commend you on your honesty regarding the state’s economy and confess that I am putting off moving until maybe 2013 or so. It seems the bottom has not yet been reached as far as real estate prices go.
My wife and I decided we want to live there and with my railroad and local pensions I think I can manage rather nicely. Haven’t decided whether to buy or rent, probably rent at first so if I don’t like it I can always just split.
My question to you is do you think it is wise for us to wait a little while before moving out there or should we wait it out and possibly get a better home purchase bargain in the future? I know it is hard to predict but I would like a local, learned opinion.
Thanks,
Ruben Riesgo
Ted Responds:
I have been renting for a number of years, having saw the bust coming long before it happened. (I was rolling my eyes at both the prices of Las Vegas homes during the boom, and at how no one could see that the frenzied growth was a pyramid scheme, a house-of-cards waiting to fall). While I decide my next move, I’ve been following the market very closely. My advice (which I’m following for myself):
1. The market has basically bottomed. You’ll see fluctuations but at the end of the day, prices are at the point where they are low enough that investors and those gainfully employed (who could not afford the home they wanted during the boom) are buying at a pace that is keeping the market from tanking further.
2. All indications are that we’ll see the market scrape along the bottom for the next 18 months. After that, the people who are going to lose their homes, walk away from their mortgages, and/or just leave town will have done so. After that, maybe a small price upswing but absolutely nothing I see in the next 4-5 years that could contribute to a hard climb in prices.
3. Because you have the advantage of time, I’d very strongly consider renting a home or apartment for the first year (or at least 6 months — you can put your stuff in storage). The Las Vegas Valley is upwards of 20 miles wide and 25 miles long. You can spend the first three months just getting familiar with the area and where you’d really like to end up living instead of having some area-biased real estate agent do it. And the next three months house hunting and closing on a place.
4. Since you’ll be living on retirement, the state of the local economy matters not to you. The worse it is, the cheaper the cost of living. And the economy does not affect our sunshine or (normally) dry weather!
5. Before making the move, I’d strongly suggest coming out for 2 or 3 weeks (perhaps staying in a nicer extended stay property) and renting a car and living a little more like a local. Perhaps in the summer you so can familiarize yourself with our worst 3 months (regarding weather). Going to the grocery store and drug store. Driving around the area a bit. Make sure you are 100% happy about the decision to move here.
Bottom line: If you wait all the way until 2013, you risk slightly higher home prices. (My guess, 10% above current prices). So if you have a number of factors that bring the 2013 date into play, you can weigh that risk against those factors.
My best advice to anyone looking to make this move? Arrive later summer of 2011 for a 6 month renting period. This will allow you to buy during the holidays when the real estate market is dead and buyers are the most eager to bargain.
Once again, these are just my thoughts based on extensive research. Everyone should make the decisions that best suit their situation.
Hope this helps!
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Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! Wow, has it been nice. highs in the 80’s, lows in the 60’s, plenty of sunshine, very little wind… loving it!
Monday I grabbed a sandwich and had lunch at the airport viewing area (view on map) on Sunset Road. Just before getting ready to leave, lo-and-behold I spotted this Korean Air 747 on final approach. Flipped my Blackberry to camera mode and caught this shot through the fence (those on our AccessVegas.com Twitter Feed already got a peek minutes after the shot).
The last time that plane had been on the ground was in Korea. Pretty intense thought. I continue to be completely awestruck (and very grateful) that so many of you travel such long distances to come experience Las Vegas!
Best Things To Do in Las Vegas – AOL Travel recently came out with a list of their editors picks of the best things to do in Las Vegas. We agree that each item is worth seeing, but picking out the 10 very best things is extremely subjective. The great thing about Las Vegas is that there is truly something for just about every adult (even if testing you luck holds no interest to you). When you get journalists in from out-of-town, they hit what they have time to write about and what interests them. Here’s the list:
Final Call For Cher Tickets – Cher ends her Las Vegas run the first week of February, 2011. Head to Cher Las Vegas Tickets if you want to catch the show before it is gone.
Bay Essentials Opens at Shoppes At Mandalay Place – Now open at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, bay essentials offers an array of assorted snacks, sundries, liquors, non-alcoholic beverages and souvenir retail items. The store is located adjacent to Shoe Obsession (perfect, your wife or girlfriend will have no problem finding it)! Another good opportunity to remind you of one of our best Vegas tips: Buy your beer and liquor at the sundry stores. You’ll save a bunch over hitting the bar and you don’t have to tip the clerk (unless you want to).
We Love Rehab!!! (Or Maybe Not) – Over the past few years, pool parties have grown in popularity. Everything from Rehab (Hard Rock) and Wet Republic (MGM) to more low key affairs put on by locals joints. This summer, the trend mushroomed and it seems that nearly every major property designated at least one day as a pool party event day. (Luxor even promoted a weekly party catering to gays and lesbians).
Is daylife supplanting nightlife or is this a trend that will soon die down? What do you think? Love it? Hate it? Click to watch this story Las Vegas Pool Party Popularity Unrivaled Even During A Recession(video on page) and then feel free to post your comments and thoughts below the video.
Members Mania – I fielded some complaints/concerns that we had no Members Mania last week. I do apologize. I enjoy doing it immensely as I get to share my nearly 18 years of knowledge as a Las Vegas resident (I’ve writing about Las Vegas tourism since 1995). We’re temporarily shorthanded right now. Since I’m the jack-of-all-trades around here, I’m spread pretty thin. Former staffer Rick Ziegler is returning to Las Vegas (and the AccessVegas.com fold) in just about a month. Once he’s up to speed, expect all the regular things we do to be back on track, and many new, fun, informative features to be launched (like the long-awaited relaunch of All Vegas TV and hopefully our podcast).
Don’t Forget Halloween – Halloween has grown bigger and bigger here, and with it falling on a Sunday this year you’ll be sure to see a Halloween weekend up and down the Las Vegas Strip. We’re still adding tons of Halloween event and party info at http://www.accessvegas.com/halloween-2010 and I know we have more coming later this week. Make sure to check that page often as we continue to update it through Halloween weekend.
Only 2 days left to enter out latest contest. Win gaming author Victor Royer’s brand new book and have the edge next time you are in town! Click to enter: http://bit.ly/aU3MmP
Enjoy This Issue!
Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs
“Phantom”, which is Vegas’ presentation of the timeless “Phantom of the Opera” musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, weaves a dark and evocative tale of jealousy, drama, horror and romance. Set in 1911 at the auction of the dilapidated remains of the Paris Opera house, a broken chandelier sets the stage for the mysterious circumstances of the events that befell the venue thirty years earlier. A beautiful girl is trained to sing by an unseen benefactor who resides within the very walls of the opera house. But is he a man? Or monster? Or perhaps both?
Tacos And Tequila Las Vegas Introduces Mahi Mahi Burrito (With Recipe) – Tacos and Tequila (T&T) has added a delicious and nutritious seafood selection to its mouthwatering Mexican menu. The delectable mahi mahi burrito will provoke a fiesta for the taste buds featuring grilled mahi mahi wrapped in a flour tortilla, topped with napa cabbage, pico de gallo, fresh guacamole, a blend of Oaxaca and Gouda cheeses and served with a side of jalapeno-infused tartar sauce, for dipping. A good source of protein and essential nutrients, the mahi mahi burrito will surely please both seafood and Mexican food fanatics alike.
See the recipe in the link below and bring a little Vegas to your dinner at your place!
The Palm Las Vegas’ Special Four Course Prix Fixe Dinner – Enjoy a special four-course steak and lobster tail meal this autumn for just $49 at The Palm-Las Vegas where the philosophy is simple: treat guests like family, serve great food and always exceed expectations. The popular four-course meal features a nine-ounce, aged filet mignon and Nova Scotia lobster tail with drawn butter and lemon.
Fright Dome At Circus Circus Partners With Lionsgate And Twisted Pictures For Second Year – Two all new haunted houses themed after the legendary SAW horror franchise and popular horror film MY BLOODY VALENTINE. It’s time to play a game… Fright Dome takes over The Adventuredome at Circus Circus beginning Friday, Oct. 1. For the second year, Fright Dome will partner with Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures to theme SAW, one of its five haunted houses. Additionally, Lionsgate’s MY BLOODY VALENTINE will reveal its horror house this fall. This season Fright Dome is guaranteed to terrify even the bravest of visitors with all new themes and scare zones.
Celebrity Chef Rick Moonen Hosts Free – Event Feasting On Words, The Literature & Food Fair – Literature, food and great chefs of Las Vegas come together on Sunday, Nov. 7, at the Vegas Valley Book Festival. Celebrity chef Rick Moonen will host “Feasting on Words û The Literature & Food Fair” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. downtown at the Historic Fifth Street School. Moonen, of Rick Moonen’s rm seafood at Mandalay Bay and author of “Fish Without a Doubt,” is one of the country’s top culinary advocates for sustainable seafood. The day will offer a wide variety of programs and special events related to food, cooking traditions, literature and books. All events are free and open to the public.
Alize At The Top Of The Palms Celebrates October’s National Vegetarian Month With Special Tasting Menu – Legendary Las Vegas Chef AndrÚ Rochat Showcases Palette-Pleasing Meatless Menu to Benefit Nevada Cancer Institute. National Vegetarian Month kicks off October 1. To mark this occasion and increase awareness of the variety of delicious meat-free options, AlizÚ at the Top of the Palms is offering a special, six-course vegetarian tasting menu. Featuring mouth-watering meat- alternatives that are both tasty and fulfilling, the special menu is priced at $55 per person. Even more appetizing is $5 of every vegetarian tasting menu purchased will be donated to Nevada Cancer Institute.
Grand Canyon South Rim by Tour Trekker Tour û Journey through the Mojave Desert along historic Route 66 en route to the Grand Canyon South Rim. At the South Rim you will have a three-hour guided tour of the Grand Canyon making stops at a variety of viewing areas for panoramic views of the canyon.
I love your newsletter and always read it as soon as it arrives in my email box to see whats new or what shows are being featured in what month.
I am a single woman who goes to Vegas several times a year and have all my favorite places to go. I have made good friends in hotels and restaurants because of how much I frequent them when I am there. I have never been afraid to walk alone day or night because my eyes are always open and I am always aware of my surroundings. I think Vegas is very safe if you stay on the strip and don’t get off on the side streets (especially at night).
I would tell anyone who is single or traveling alone that there are so many things to do and places to eat and things to see that you can go by yourself and never feel bored or lonely.
And – you don’t have to worry about the person you’re with complaining their feet hurt, or their hungry, or they just cant walk anymore, etc. I love Vegas and I love going there alone. And I truly love your newsletter. Its the best!!!
Rose from Colorado
Ted Responds:
Thanks for the kind words! It really makes us feel good to be of help (and don’t forget to buy from the newsletter sponsor who keep it complimentary and keep our lights on).
The subject of coming to Las Vegas alone (especially if you are female) came up some time ago, but we continue to receive feedback similar to yours. I must confess that I too am partial to hitting the Las Vegas Strip solo. With so many incredible choices of what to do, see, and eat (and so little time to do it all), it is nice to have the luxury of just going where you want. Also, you don’t go through that painful issue where you are gambling with someone and you are winning (and want to stay) but they are losing and broke and want to move on.
We occasionally get the questionáA group of us are coming to Las Vegas, what should we do? My answer? Split Up!!! Cell phone service is pretty consistent now even in the hotels (which used to be notorious for dead spots). Arrange a meeting time (perhaps dinner somewhere) or time for everybody to check in with a designated person who can coordinate meeting up. And remember the Vegas rule pertaining to meeting someone: It is acceptable to be late or be a no-show, but only if you are winning and on a hot streak!
I heard that Nevada voters oppose Harry Reid by a larger percentage than those who support him. Can you explain the rationale behind the Las Vegas Mayor’s support for the senator? I was of the impression Reid is not good for Nevada. I also understand the mayor is popular. Am I wrong on this?
Thanks,
RW Milaca from Minnesota
Ted Responds:
The Mayor is a former Democrat (now an independent) who held out quite a while on giving any endorsement and endorsed Reid when specifically asked at a joint appearance by the two at a non-related event (the event wasn’t to announce the endorsement). At the time, Mayor Goodman was standing next to Reid.
So… I’d call it a pretty soft endorsement. At this point, it does not appear that the mayor has campaigned for Reid. Plus, they are longtime friends (and one time adversaries as Reid was on the gaming control board when Goodman was defending some pretty interesting characters — reference the movie Casino in which Goodman played himself).
Politics makes very strange bedfellows. Staunch conservative Wayne Newton has also endorsed Reid. As has the Mayor of Reno (a Republican). As has Palms owner George Maloof. In fact, Reid has listed Republicans who support him at http://www.harryreid.com/ee/index.php/republicans/members/
When it comes to the power structure, Las Vegas is a very, very small city. Reid wields a huge amount of power. And, he knows many of these people by name/face. Reid is someone who you don’t want to cross. He didn’t get to his current position of power by being the nicest guy in the Senate. I understand that he can move and shake and wield power behind the scenes like nobody’s business.
Sharon Angle has always been a bit of a political enigma. But she doesn’t seem to have a long record of being power-hungry or keeping an enemies list. So… if she beats Reid, the Republicans who endorsed him really aren’t out anything.
As I have done from the start, I continue to predict a race that will go down to the wire. It currently is a toss-up. Although somewhere upwards of 40% of Nevadans simply do not like Reid at all (according to polls), he’s been especially successful as painting Angle as wacky and possibly unstable.
Reid can raise nearly unlimited funds to pound away at her. And he has. Since many voters do little research before hitting the polls, the race will likely come down to who can saturate TV, radio, and the internet best to get their message out. Angle is on a nationwide hunt for donations (as evidenced by the Retire Harry Countdown Clock on her site) from those who dislike Reid and recent reports note that she’s gaining significant financial momentum.
Going to be interesting to watch this one play out!
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Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! Rain and clouds are blowing through the weekend, and bringing a stark transition with it. Last week’s highs? Around 100 (F). This coming week? In the 80’s. Still plenty of action around the pools (once the rain clears up) and no sweater or jacket needed. We get “summer” (nice and warm, but not too hot nor cold) twice a year: Spring and Fall. This fall is shaping up nicely.
Las Vegas Death Ray – Many of you have seen recent stories about how the sun’s reflection off Vdara (CityCenter) at this time of year has been heating certain areas of their pool deck to uncomfortable (and possibly unsafe) levels. If you are new to the story or have only heard bits and pieces, we’ve posted a couple of video stories at Vdara Las Vegas Death Ray Videos
This is not necessarily a new phenomenon here in Las Vegas. With sun virtually every day and glass covered hotels, we mostly get used to it. Last week while at Rhumbar (Mirage) the sun’s rays beaming off of Wynn honed directly onto where I was sitting. While I didn’t feel extra heat, the result was blinding (literally). Sunglasses were of no use and I had to reposition myself for about 20 minutes. Drive the I-15 certain times of day, and the reflection off of Mandalay Bay can be distracting.
Although CityCenter designers planned for this and used a special type of glass coating, it obviously didn’t quite do the job. They have vowed to find a fix. Those who lived or visited in the mid-90’s may remember that both The Rio and Las Vegas Hilton had green lasers that could be seen for miles from each property. They were really cool, and I regret having no photos. They were turned off because of concerns of interference with air traffic and complaints that the beams were an annoyance to homeowners in the foothills when the beams passed their way.
R.I.P Tony Curtis – We morn the loss of Las Vegas resident and film legend Tony Curtis this past week. Curtis always considered Las Vegas his second home, and officially moved here in 2000. Many celebs quietly have a home here, or even make it their full-time place of residence. No income taxes, lots of sun, and plenty of non-stop flights to major destinations around the globe make this an attractive home. But you never really hear about them or see them (very little community involvement).
Not so for Curtis. He was often out-and-about (until stints of heath issues more recently), universally friendly, and active in community events. Even to the point of a couple of local library appearances during the past two years which drew notable crowds. Vegas-based journalist Steve Friess did what is probably the final extensive interview of Curtis’ career in 2008 which we’ll link to below. Curtis’ funeral is open to the public at Palm Mortuary (Eastern Ave) with a reception to follow at The Luxor. Turner Classic Movies will play a full day (24 hours) of Curtis’ films on Oct. 10.
A Blip Of Good Job News? – The Cosmopolitan (of Las Vegas, the new hotel between CityCenter and Bellagio) is currently in the process of hiring 5000 people to staff the property. Also the Review-Journal is hosting their 2010 Career Fair October 19 at The Orleans. Details:
Review-Journal 2010 Career Fair (Look for the Post Your Resume Now link for regular job notifications in your field or simply attend the event).
An extremely important note about applying for new hotel jobs: New properties typically over-hire and then quietly trim staff during the first few months. Everyone is new, no one has seniority, and this lets them trim down to the group of people they want working at the property. Not everyone ends up being the perfect fit for any given position. If you live out of the area and are fortunate enough to land a job at a new hotel, work really hard at your new job. But I’d consider the job temporary (IE, don’t go house hunting or sell your place in your home city) for the first 6 months.
Enjoy This Issue!
Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs
MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris To Feature Playboy’s Miss October 2010 Playmate Claire Sinclair For A Series Of Exclusive Performances – MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris, Las Vegas’ sensual French burlesque show, is excited to welcome their stunning guest star Claire Sinclair, Playboy Playmate Miss October 2010, for a series of exclusive performances October 21 – 28. Sinclair will perform three unique acts alongside the beautiful dancers of MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris. The special performances will mark Sinclair’s first appearance in front of a live audience.
Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer And Grammy Award Winner Rod Stewart To Play Eight Shows At The Colosseum At Caesars Palace In November – Rock icon Rod Stewart announced today that he will play eight performances at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace November 6-21.
Football Heats Up Rhumbar’s Patio – Tailgate On The Patio Saturday Through Monday At Rhumbar – Let’s get ready to RHUMBAR! This football season, as the weather cools down RHUMBAR’s spacious outdoor patio heats up with football fever. Saturdays, Sundays and Monday nights, pigskin fans will enjoy football tailgating on the patio with an enticing roster of power plays, munchies and drink specials.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Guests Can Hit The Jackpot On 10-10-10 – Who says 7 is the only lucky number in Vegas? Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is giving Vegas goers more than 10 reasons to visit the property on 10-10-10 (October 10, 2010).The 10-10-10 promotion will be available throughout the property and will allow guests to experience exclusive deals all day long. 10,000 WAYS TO ROCK PROMOTION.
Alize At The Top Of The Palms Celebrates October’s National Vegetarian Month With Special Tasting Menu – Legendary Las Vegas Chef AndrÚ Rochat Showcases Palette-Pleasing Meatless Menu to Benefit Nevada Cancer Institute – National Vegetarian Month kicks off October 1. To mark this occasion and increase awareness of the variety of delicious meat-free options, AlizÚ at the Top of the Palms is offering a special, six-course vegetarian tasting menu. Featuring mouth-watering meat- alternatives that are both tasting and fulfilling, the special menu is priced at $55 per person. Even more appetizing is $5 of every vegetarian tasting menu purchased will be donated to Nevada Cancer Institute.
Entertainment Legend Donny Osmond To Host 10/10/10 AT 10:10am Wedding Engagement Event Forum Shops At Caesars In Las Vegas – Show business icon Donny Osmond has been married to his wife Debbie for more than 30 years. So on Oct. 10, 2010, 10:10 a.m., he will be there as 10 couples not only begin their own path to matrimony, but simultaneously get engaged in front of The Trevi Fountain at The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas.
Tacos & Tequila Las Vegas Celebrates ‘National Taco Day’ With Flavor – Every day is “Taco Day” at Tacos & Tequila (T&T), but Monday, October 4, T&T at Luxor will celebrate “National Taco Day” with free tacos and tasty specials that will make anyone want to shout “Ole!” Patrons will want to get their hands on six signature tacos available for just $12 and a bucket of six Sol beers for just $6 more. Guests can team up to tackle this amazing deal or take on the seis pairs for their own tasty tasting.
Celebrate Oktoberfest At The Rocktoberfest Block Party With Live Music And Festive Food & Drink Specials – Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to tap into their German roots and celebrate Rocktoberfest at O’Sheas Casino block party. The celebration will include unbeatable drink specials hand-delivered by lederhosen-clad bar maids, traditional festive German cuisine and games. Local Favorites, Sick Puppies Perform Live at O’Sheas on Saturday, October 9 for Rocktoberfest.
The David Perrico Group Featuring Marley Taylor To Perform Wednesdays At Tropicana Las Vegas – Complimentary Admission – The David Perrico Group featuring Marley Taylor bring a unique blend of contemporary Pop and Jazz to Tropicana Las Vegas. Guests can enjoy this dynamic ensemble at the Celebration Lounge every Wednesday at 10 p.m.
Morning Maverick Horseback Ride with Breakfast Tour û Wake up bright and early for a horseback ride through the Wild West! Leave the Las Vegas Strip behind for a day on a working ranch – where you will dine on a hearty cowboy breakfast before saddling up for scenic and leisurely horseback ride.
Coming Hot Holidays – The following dates are huge times to be in Las Vegas, and rooms are in high demand. Booking in advance is the best way to save. Visit our friends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals and spend one of the following hot dates having fun in Las Vegas:
Halloween October 31
Veteran’s Day November 11
Thanksgiving Day, U.S November 25-28 (4 day weekend)
Hanukkah Dec. 2 – Dec. 9
Christmas December 25
New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 2 (3 day weekend)
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 15-17 (3 day weekend)
Chinese/Lunar New Year February 3
Super Bowl Sunday February 6
Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
Valentine’s Day February 14
President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 19-21 (3 day weekend)
Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
Mardi Gras March 8
St. Patrick’s Day March 17
Easter Sunday April 24
Cinco de Mayo May 5
Mother’s Day May 8
Memorial Day, U.S May 28-30 (3 day weekend)
Father’s Day June 19
Independence Day July 4
Civic Holiday, Canada July 30-August 1 (3 day weekend)
Labor Day, U.S September 3-5 (3 day weekend)
Labour Day, Canada September 3-5 (3 day weekend)
Jewish New Year September 28
Link To Us! – Have a home page, web page, or blog? Link to us, and give yourself and your friends a quick link to find us from your site. Simply link to http://www.accessvegas.com and name the link Access Vegas!
RSS Feed – We now have an RSS/XML feed! Most RSS programs let you visit AccessVegas.com and automatically pull the feed. For those who want to enter it manually, the feed is: http://www.accessvegas.com/xml/whats-hot.xml
Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! Just when we thought that the triple-digit temperatures were gone, they decided to come back for a curtain call this week. The good news? Temps are barely brushing 100 (F) and the nights cool off very, very quickly with overnight lows in the 60. Sun and fun days, no jacket or pullover needed at night.
Victor H. Royer Book Giveaway – Finally, finally, finally we got the bugs out of our custom contest software system. (We had to upgrade our server/hosting a while back to keep up with demand and a few things had a rough transition from one system to the next). For those of you who are new to our newsletter and AccessVegas.com, Victor H. Royer is a top gaming author who has written more books on casino gambling than I have fingers and toes to count. He is also a regular contributor of gaming articles to our site. Check out the Victor H. Royer Casino Gaming Articles archive.
His latest book (pictured right) will give you the lowdown on all the new slots so you can have the upper hand. Nothing is worse than walking up to many of these new machines and not being able to figure out anything about them. Victor will get you informed! Click over to our Victor H. Royer Book Giveaway page and enter to win one of four signed copies of his latest.
Did you know that 86% of people who visit Las Vegas actually win? But simply don’t hold on to it? Need tips on how to win at the new generation of casino slots you’ll find today? Did you know that you can cash a personal check at the cage of Las Vegas casinos and save on ATM fees? When is the best time to come to Las Vegas?
Las Vegas television personality Alan Mendelson (Sunday Mornings at 8 AM on KCOP Channel 13 in LA, AlanBestBuys.com, MoreDeals.com, VegasBestBuys.com) interviews renowned Las Vegas gaming writer Victor H. Royer about his new book New Casino Slots – How To Play, Have Fun and Win! (Purchase: Amazon book link) and delves into many Las Vegas secrets you need to know:
P.S. How much does Alan love Las Vegas? He got married at a craps table at Caesars Palace a few years ago!
Transportation Security Screwup Administration – The TSA is at it again. As if flying isn’t getting to be a bigger, more expensive hassle, they are trying a new type of search in both Boston and Las Vegas: This search is described by the Boston Herald as a more aggressive palms-first, slide-down body search technique. The TSA is calling it an “enhanced patdown”. Fortunately (from what I’m understanding), this is only for passengers who choose not to use the newer full-body scanners.
Look… I don’t want to alarm anybody, but airfields are not the most secure places on the face of the earth. Hundreds of employees and vendors come and go. If someone wanted to infiltrate and do something bad to an airplane, it could be done. And yet the TSA screens kids, elderly people, and even the pilots who will be flying the airplane (I’m not joking… the on-board crew for each plane is screened just like you are. The very guys who are going to be at the controls of the plane).
If terrorists are going to strike, they are going to strike. And the don’t need an airplane. The very fact that they’ve caused billions of dollars and billions of hours of time/inconvenience to us almost makes it seem as they have won. áI flew just a few weeks after (the original) 9/11, and then on the anniversary of it the following two years. On purpose. (Great days to fly… the airplanes were almost empty).
We can only be defeated if we allow our lives to be altered by others. I personally refuse to run around scared. I wish our leaders felt the same way instead of treating us like children in the name of “security”.
Mac King Show Extended Through 2015 – Our favorite comedy magician Mac King celebrates his 10’th year at Harrah’s Las Vegas with a five year extension. His show has performed for more than one million people in over 5,200 shows since opening in 2000. This is a great afternoon show, the price is right, good for all ages. I highly recommend it.
Enjoy This Issue!
Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs
Legendary Songstress Diana Ross To Serenade The Colosseum At Caesars Palace Las Vegas Two Nights Only – The incomparable Diana Ross is bringing her “MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY” tour to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for a two night engagement Friday, November 12 and Saturday November 13. The legendary icon will perform her greatest hits in this spectacular live show which features breathtaking costumes and stage designs, along with a live string and horn section. The show is jointly presented by Caesars Palace and AEG Live.
“X” Burlesque Celebrates 3rd Anniversary At Flamingo Las Vegas – Sultry Burlesque Revue Reveals Enhanced Version – “X” Burlesque is celebrating its third anniversary at Flamingo Las Vegas by unveiling an “enhanced” version of the sexy revue featuring new dancers, new numbers, new costumes and new temptations. Performed in the intimate setting inside Bugsy’s Cabaret, the “X” Girls strip away their inhibitions to such new numbers as Britney Spears’ energetic “3” in honor of their three years at Flamingo and kick off the show in style to a new pulse-pounding opening set to Metallica’s “Roam,” where the girls come to life through a picture frame. Snow, pole tricks and a hot hip-hop medley are just some of the other additions to the show while fan favorites such as the bathtub and the bungee-ballet number remain in the line-up.
ALEX At Wynn Las Vegas Receives 2010 Wine Spectator Grand Award – ALEX, the namesake restaurant of chef Alessandro Stratta at Wynn Las Vegas, has received the coveted 2010 Grand Award from Wine Spectator magazine. ALEX joins an elite group of 75 dining establishments around the world to receive the Grand Award, the magazine’s highest honor.
The Mirage Las Vegas Welcomes 7-Week-Old Tiger Cubs To Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden And Dolphin Habitat – The Mirage introduced its newest additions, two 7-week-old, white-striped tiger cubs, to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat this summer. Guests can see these rare and adorable cubs in a special nursery created just for them. The sibling brothers, Mohan and Majestic, were born June 22 and weighed approximately two pounds each at birth.
Siegfried From Siegfried & Roy Kicks Off Oktoberfest At Hofbrõuhaus Las Vegas – In his 8th year as host of Oktoberfest, magician of the century, Siegfried, kicked off the first of a six-week celebration as an honorary keg tapper! Hofbrõuhaus Las Vegas offered guests the chance to party like in Munich, Germany for a night as the beer never ceased to flow, merriness filled the halls, and jagermeister spankings were dished out as quickly as the drinks. The beer hall was so packed with Oktoberfest enthusiasts, countless people were turned away at the door.
American Superstars Show At Stratosphere Announces New Lineup Featuring Lady Gaga Tribute – New Carrie Underwood And Charlie Daniels Artists Also Revealed – American Superstars Producer Donny Lee Moore and Executive Producer Mark Callas proudly announce the newest artists to their Las Vegas show at the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower. Autumn Belanger & Katie Dix, two talented young singers are joining the cast as Lady Gaga and Carrie Underwood respectively. Also returning to the lineup is Johnny Potash as Charlie Daniels.
Rock & Rita’s Las Vegas Launches Late Night Happy Hour – $5 Late Night Treats And Two-For-One Drinks All Night Long – Because hunger can strike at any time of the night, Rock & Rita’s at Circus Circus has launched a delicious all-night menu, with reverse happy hour specials to satisfy any midnight craving. Night owls can flock to Rock & Rita’s for great deals on food and drinks any time of night.
***Deal Alert*** New Las Vegas Happy Hour Specials – StripSteak at Mandalay Bay – The first steakhouse by acclaimed chef Michael Mina, StripSteak’s classic yet modern menu offers corn-fed, all-natural meat, line-caught seafood and fresh, seasonal produce. Join StripSteak for the perfect after beach or pre-dinner Treat 4 – 6 p.m. daily. Happy hour includes $3 bottled beer, $7 cocktails and half off lounge menu items.
Cabo Wabo Adds Two Nights To Its Karaoke Lineup – Three Nights Of “Cabo Wabo Karaoke” Is Better Than One – Sammy Hagar is giving his fans even more to sing about as his Strip-side Mexican cantina adds two additional nights of karaoke to its popular of “Cabo Wabo Karaoke” lineup. Cabo Wabo Karaoke kicks off Tuesday and Wednesday nights with live sing-along sessions starting at 9 p.m. The mid-week sessions will give Red Rockers-in-training all the practice they’ll need prior to their live rock band karaoke debut.
Renowned Grammy Award Winner Michito Sanchez Brings “Salsero” To Tropicana Las Vegas – Tropicana Las Vegas will be vibrating with the sounds of Latin beats as DEFTAL presents “SALSERO Saturdays” with Michito Sanchez Salsa Orchestra at Tropicana’s Tiffany Theatre, beginning September 25. Guests can dance to tropical Latin music such as salsa, merengue, cumbia and bachata from 10:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. every Saturday.
Silver Cloud Grand Canyon Sunset Air Tour û Catch a one-of-a-kind sunset aboard the air-only Silver Cloud Sunset Tour flight and return to Las Vegas as the stunning lights of The Strip come to life and transform the city into the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”
As always, I continue to enjoy reading your newsletter. It’s interesting, informative and lively. We are coming to Las Vegas this weekend. Can you help in providing info on where is a good place to buy Halloween costumes?
Thanks,
Edith
Ted Responds:
Halloweenmart has been around for some time. Their web address is http://www.halloweenmart.com and street address is 6230 South Decatur Boulevard (map).
We’ve also been starting to list Las Vegas Halloween events as we get them. For those who are going to be in town that weekend, keep checking back at Las Vegas Halloween Events and Parties 2010. If past years are any indication, plenty of people will be walking the Las Vegas Strip in costume! Oh… one thing: Masks are prohibited in casinos. Best to choose a costume that does not require one.
I was wondering if Las Vegas Brochures are sent out in the mail.
I was informed that they don’t send them out anymore. I am planning in taking my son to Vegas his first time and in having the brochure would give me a lot of planning. Would love to hear from you.
Thanks,
Liz McAllister
Ted Responds:
The internet has really made brochures obsolete. It would take a brochure the size of the phone book to cover everything there is to do and see in Las Vegas. If you go to our site http://www.AccessVegas.com and look along the top menu bar, you’ll see numerous categories (many with a number of sub-categories) for you to use in your research. Also, this newsletter certainly keeps you up on all that is new, recent, and happening.
I appreciate where you are coming from. I still subscribe to a number of magazines I could probably read online, and there is something nice about sitting on the back porch with something to leaf through. But when it comes to researching something as vast as Las Vegas, there is no substitute for the ability to do so online. Brochures simply could not begin to hold all of the information!
Just got home from my annual 5 day LV trip. Stayed at the Fitz (Fitzgerald’s downtown), again and for the price it was fine. We rented a car and saw the new bridge at Hoover Dam. The traffic on the strip was very little and we actually went 4 blocks before stopping.
Ate at Chicago Joe’s (downtown near Fremont Experience). It is a favorite of mine. Excellent food and not too expensive. Frozen drinks at Fremont Hotel are a good size and cost $1.00.
The lines getting our car at the airport were bad and having a reservation didn’t help a bit. We got to see a lot of Nevada and I’m glad we rented but don’t think I’ll do it again.
Downtown is the place for me. Prices are better, gambling better and the crowds are smaller. My favorite was entertaining downtown: Carl “Safe Sax” Ferris…very talented.
Cant wait to return to Vegas next year!
Barb from Massillon, Ohio
Ted Responds:
I really continue to enjoy downtown and if someone is on their second or third visit and hasn’t made it downtown yet for an evening, shame on you!
Some important advice: The best time to go is between dusk and midnight. The excitement is in the air and the free light show plays overhead at the top of each hour. Another important hint: Downtown is slowest on Monday and Tuesday. Wed. – Sat. are best as the free bands, music, DJ’s and other events tend to be on those nights.
Renting a car at the airport is here is a terrible hassle. As we’ve suggested before, rent from one of the rental counters available at many of the hotels. We know for a fact that Flamingo has a rental car counter and cars on site. Rent it for the day and bring it back. No question that if you are a regular visitor, it is fun to get out and see Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire or buzz on down to Primm to hit the outlet mall and enjoy the rides. (Oh… and some great golf in a course that isn’t over-crowded with players).
We highlighted Chicago Joe’s as part of our “Of Interest To Guys” (guys tour of downtown) in our Access Vegas Insider Vibe û October 28, 2009 issue, but it is a restaurant everyone will enjoy.
Thanks for the great report!
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Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! Well… I’m still in computer hell. One desktop is in the shop, we (hopefully) finally have all the parts for the back-up desktop. I’m losing a ton of time from all of that stuff and working off my laptop with 3 external drives plugged into it! Those (relatively) new drive enclosures that let you quickly and easily attach a hard drive from a desktop computer to the USB port of any other machine are lifesavers!
So… still no Members Mania this week (hopefully next week). And we still have one bug left in the contest software before we roll out a great slate of giveaways that we’ve lined up for you. Computer gremlins… hate them!
Romance In Vegas – Yahoo Travel just put out a list of the Top 10 most romantic U.S. cities (article):
1. Honolulu
2. Charleston
3. San Francisco
4. New Orleans
5. Santa Fe
6. San Diego
7. San Antonio 8. Las Vegas
9. Miami
10. New York
They notedáThough renowned for its debauchery and what-happens-in-Vegas-stays-in-Vegas shenanigans, Sin City is also ideal for rekindling passion. We agree. If you tend to make Las Vegas a family trip, try it without the kids. You just may be amazed at the sparks that fly!
Don’t Lose That Ticket – Important advice for you sports bettors: After nearly 18 years living here, you think that I’d learn! I took Oregon State with the points over TCU in the opening game of the college football season. Oregon State is traditionally underrated and I was getting 13 points. (If Oregon State lost by less than 13 points, I won my bet). They only lost by 9. I won!
The problem? I’ve completely misplaced the betting slip I need to claim my winnings. When you bet, treat those tickets like you’d treat cash. If your bet wins, they might as well be cash as anyone possessing the ticket can cash it in.
Also keep in mind: You CAN redeem them by mail within a certain time period. That information is usually on the back of the ticket. So, feel free to make a bet on a game that occurs after you’ve left town. But keep in mind that they print those things on the cheap receipt paper. Keep it in your wallet for too long, and it will smear off or fade. Expose it to sunlight for too long, same story. Don’t even think about getting it damp (let alone wet). Happy betting!
Presidential Remarks Still Hurting Us? – Mayor Goodman found out first-hand from a Financial Crimes Investigators conference here recently that their attendance would have been some 30% higher if not for the lingering affects of President Obama’s anti-Vegas remarks. While Obama has made Vegas-friendly remarks while in town (duh), he hasn’t been quick to make them in any other forum. The Mayor would like to see that rectified. More on this: Obama statements still hurting Las Vegas convention business
Ricky Nelson Remembered – Our friend John Earl and his Boogieman (Rhythm and Blues) Band open for Matthew & Gunner Nelson — pop band Nelson, anyone remember “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love & Affection” — in a tribute concert to their father Ricky Nelson Friday Sept. 24 at 7 PM at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water Street in Henderson (of course). Admission is free and the concert is in conjunction with the weekend-long Super Run Classic Car show. More Details: http://x.co/64AY
Enjoy This Issue!
Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs
Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas Announces Partnership With Marriott International’s Autograph Collection – The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, opening December 15, 2010, announced today that they have entered into a distribution agreement with the Autograph Collection, Marriott International, Inc.╣s (NYSE:MAR) portfolio of upper-upscale and luxury independent hotels and resorts. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, a design focused independent luxury brand, will be the Autograph Collection’s first member resort in Las Vegas. The partnership will provide The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas access to one of the largest databases in the hospitality industry, while offering strong and established relationships in the group and convention markets.
Golden Nugget Hosts First Annual Fall Beer Festival – The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino will host their first annual Fall Beer Festival during a two-day event on October 15 & 16. This two-day festival brings together consumers, craft beer vendors, live music, great food and hundreds of beers in two very different events.
Rhumbar Las Vegas Introduces The Sinful “X-Rated Mojito” – In the city of sin it’s often unusual to find an X-rated item with a sweet twist. RHUMBAR, the stylish drink spot with a Strip-view patio, introduces Sin City’s sexiest cocktail, the “X-Rated Mojito.” Available on Monday nights at “Pink Sugar Jam,” the naughty but nice cocktail will put guests into the rock ‘n’ roll groove with a sweet and refreshing blend of rock candy, mint leaves and the ever-so-daring X-Rated Fusion Liqueur. “Pink Sugar Jam” is the liveliest way to enjoy the Las Vegas Strip on Monday nights, featuring live rock mash-ups and acoustic accompaniments by talented guest musicians. A great starting point for Vegas’ hottest industry night, revelers will enjoy sipping the stimulating “X-Rated Mojito” while percussionist DJ Rodney tantalizes the ears with rock-inspired beats. Kicking off at 9:30 p.m., the weekly lineup will include a range of talented musicians from up and down the Strip.
Sip Bordeaux In September With Festivino At The Venetian And The Palazzo Las Vegas – The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino and The Palazzo« Las Vegas are pleased to announce Festivino, a celebration of Bordeaux throughout the month of September. Guests will be able to enjoy three quality Bordeaux wines by the glass at The Venetian and The Palazzo casino bars such as Laguna Champagne Bar and Fusion Bar for affordable prices. Select choices from this premier winemaking region of France will also be showcased in three-course prix fixe menus from two of Las Vegas’ foremost French eateries, Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro at The Palazzo and Joachim Splichal’s Pinot Brasserie at The Venetian, along with a special poolside Bordeaux tasting event on September 24 at AZURE Luxury Pool at The Palazzo. Wine lovers can immerse themselves into the complete experience with the Bordeaux package, which includes accommodations at The Venetian and The Palazzo at a reasonable rate.
Joey Fatone Hosting “The Price Is Right – Live” Stage Show At Bally’s Las Vegas – “The Price is Right û Live” Stage Show at Bally’s Las Vegas welcomes special celebrity host Joey Fatone for an exclusive limited run through Sept. 25, 2010. The show, from FremantleMedia, producers of “American Idol” and “The Price Is Right” TV shows, features such fan-favorite games as “Plinko,” “Cliff Hangers,” “The Big Wheel,” and of course, “Showcase Showdown.” Joey Fatone will enlist audience members to play for their chance to win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.
Tropicana Las Vegas Brings A Taste Of South Beach To The Strip With Their New Steakhouse, Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine – Tropicana Las Vegas welcomes the city’s newest steak and seafood restaurant, Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine as part of Tropicana’s Phase 1 $165 million transformation. Biscayne captures the elegance and seduction of South Beach cuisine, offering sizzling prime cuts, Safe Harbor certified fresh seafood and an original wine list, setting the scene for a perfect night on The Las Vegas Strip.
“Project Runway” Co-Host To Show Women How To Make It Work At The Forum Shops Caesars Las Vegas – Chance for Fans To Meet-and-Greet Popular Style Expert and Star of the Lifetime TV Hit Reality Show – Style expert Tim Gunn will be at The Forum Shops at Caesars to share his expertise as he hosts the Fall 2010 fashion show on behalf of Lucky Brand Jeans, a Liz Claiborne Inc. brand. Guests will see both men’s and women’s fall looks and receive invaluable fit and style tips. Event is open to the public; seating is open but limited.
CSI: The Experience Celebrates First Successful Year Of “Cracking The Case” At MGM Grand In Las Vegas – CSI: The Experience, the popular, worldwide phenomenon based on the hit CBS show, celebrates an exceptional first year at MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip. In honor of the first anniversary, CSI: The Experience will donate $1 from every ticket sold during the anniversary celebration, September 20-26, to the Nevada Victims of Crime Program. A challenging and fun multi-sensory attraction, CSI: The Experience places guests in the role of crime scene investigator as they solve one of three true-to-life mysteries.
Oktoberfest Is In The Air- Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas Kicks Off Oktoberfest On Saturday, September 18th – October is fast approaching and you know what that meansàOKTOBERFEST! The festival that began as a celebration of the marriage between Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen, is once again upon us and what better place to celebrate it than at Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas. The restaurant/beer hall celebration, which has grown annually to become one of the largest celebrations of the year, has drawn vast comparisons to the real Oktoberfest held annually in Munich, Germany.
Legendary Comedian Don Rickles, a.k.a. Mr. Warmth, Returns To The Orleans Showroom – Celebrated entertainer and Las Vegas mainstay Don Rickles brings his one-of-a-kind comedy back to The Orleans Showroom October 16 and 17, each evening at 8 p.m. Rickles took his first step toward national fame in 1957 when Frank Sinatra wandered into the small Hollywood nightclub where Rickles was performing.
Valley Of Fire Buggy Tour in Las Vegas û Drive a buggy on an guided off-road adventure through the dramatic red rock formations of the Valley of Fire. Take a smooth and easy ride through the spectacular desert landscape on an exciting, but safe, half-day adventure not too far from Las Vegas.
Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! Our hundred degree days are done, ane we’re settling into some beautiful weather. Highs in the 90’s F and overnight lows in the 60’s. With our dry climate, not too hot and not too cold.
No Members Mania this week. Don’t worry… the newsletter is still packed with tons of the latest Las Vegas news and events!
I got hit with a computer double-whammy this week: Lost the hard drive on my main machine. No problem… I have a back-up machine to jump right in on. Except it started having a memory error (which took some time to figure out). Of course, all of this started happening the Friday before Labor Day weekend and I won’t lie: We’re not computer techs here. We simply use them to provide you all the great information we put out!
After a number of fruitless hours working on the machines, I realized that some stuff just wasn’t going to get done this week.
Fortunately, I do back up my data using a combination of Mozy.com and external hard drives. So… getting back up and running was as painless as the situation could be under the circumstances.
However, some features and giveaways promised for this issue will be delayed a week.
If you are a new reader (or even a long-time reader) this is a great time to go back and enjoy both the newsletter archives and the Members Mania (Readers Questions Answered) archives. There is always something you may have missed, or something new to learn:
Under The Surface – Las Vegas boasts possibly two of the most spellbinding water-bases shows in the world. Le Reve at Wynn Las Vegas and Cirque du Soleil’s O. Le Reve now offers a VIP package (starting at $2000 per couple which includes lodging and more) which lets you view the show from beneath the water (through glass, you stay warm and dry). This “show below a show” invites you to see the precisions choreography, divers, breathing stations, scenery shifts and other aspects of the show few ever see. Until now!
We found a great video story on YouTube taking you along for this experience. If you’re game to spend the money, this will give you a stunning preview. If this is a little out of your budget, you can still enjoy this well-produced story that takes you up-close: Le Reve Las Vegas “Diving The Dream” VIP Package Preview Video
Against The Wind – I’ve made it no secret that I’m an aviation fan. One of the great things about living in Las Vegas is the heavy flow of air traffic and the ease of watching it all (including listening to the control tower on your car radio) at the McCarran Viewing Area (map). I follow a blog written by a long-time airline captain, who recently wrote about a windy Las Vegas landing. Some of the stuff is on the technical side, but it is a nice look at what it takes to bring a plane down during some of our wind-swept weather: http://flightlevel390.blogspot.com/2010/08/checklist.html
Fremont Street Experience Garners Top 10 Award – We’ve never hid our love of downtown Las Vegas (the Fremont Street Experience, aka “old Las Vegas”.áTripAdvisor concurs and has recently named Fremont Street Experience as one of the “Top 10: Free Things To Do in the United States.”áAlso included on the list are: the Big Apple Greeter and the Staten Island Ferry in New York, the Pearl Harbor exhibit in Hawaii, the Garden of Gods in Colorado, Samuel Adams Brewery in Massachusetts, the Jelly Belly Factory in California, HersheyÆs Chocolate World in Pennsylvania, the St. Louis Zoo in Missouri, and D.C. by Foot in Washington, D.C.
Honestly, if you have not been downtown to Fremont Street, you have not seen all of Las Vegas. Getting there is simple: Just get on any northbound Ace or Duece bus running along The Strip. Get off at the end of the line and you are there! Make sure to go between sunset and midnight so you’ll catch the overhead light shows and endless free entertainment.
Liberace Has Left The Building – Almost. Unfortunately, the Liberace Museum has closed citing declining visitor volume and associated declining revenues. Talks to move the collection to a Strip hotel have not come to fruition. Key parts of the collection may be put on tour as a traveling display.
NFL Bars – Each year, our main local paper posts a list of various bars in the Las Vegas area that cater to fans of a particular NFL team. To make the list, a bar must ONLY show the team in question while their game is on and MUST show every single game the team plays. With so many transplants for across the United States (and with a lack of a local NFL team), a long list of bars give fans that “back home” feeling. Check out NFL SEASON 2010: Valley bars get ready for kickoff
Visitation Numbers Show Significant Rise – Nearly 5% more visitors came to Las Vegas in July 2010 (over 3.3 million total visitors for the month) than did in July 2009. It was the largest jump since December of 2005. A couple of times per month, I get a “We’re never coming back to Las Vegas” email. Well… someone else is enjoying a Las Vegas vacation in your place!
To those who have repeatedly rang the death knell for Las Vegas the past few years and have openly mocked people like me who said “It’s not that bad, we’ll be fine, Las Vegas is still fun, people will be back” I simply say this:
I told you so.
Enjoy This Issue!
Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs
Wynn Las Vegas Unveils Newly Renovated Rooms – Wynn Las Vegas continues to set the bar for luxury and excellence in Las Vegas and unveils the first completely renovated resort rooms at Wynn. Designed by Roger Thomas, Executive Vice President of Design for Wynn Design and Development, the rooms feature rich new finishes–including wallpaper, carpets, chairs, couches and lamps–while maintaining the functionality, spaciousness, configuration and casually elegant residential quality that has become the hallmark of Wynn resorts.
Qua Baths & Spa and Color, A Salon By Michael Boychuck Offer Treatments In Las Vegas To Rejuvenate And Re-Energize – Autumn is the perfect time to re-energize the senses and indulge in relaxation. This season Caesars Palace, Qua Baths & Spa and COLOR, a Salon by Michael Boychuck, put an emphasis on total beauty with decadent facials, wellness classes, glamorous body paint and head-to-toe pampering. Michael Boychuck “Colorist to the Star’s” Fall Style Tip: “Loose, soft curls will be a big hit this fall, what I call ‘wrap around curls.’ To achieve this look, start your curls from root to end, rather than the other way around. This will leave you with a carefree, beautiful bouncy look.”
Rockhouse Las Vegas Rebels With Back-To-School Bash – It’s time to party before starting those papers, and booze before opening those books. Summer is slowly coming to an end and it’s time for new notebooks, new professors and hoards of homework û but not before one last hoorah. Rockhouse invites revelers to ring in “Another Effen School Year” Monday, September 20. Vegas’ only ultra-dive bar bleeds red and black, and will let its true colors show with back-to-school specials for UNLV students.
Caesars And Rio Las Vegas Heat Up With Four Days Of Mexican Independence Holiday Celebrations – Commemorating 200 years of Mexican Independence, the fun begins with Latin singing superstar Luis Miguel as he spices things up with four nights of special holiday concerts during Mexican Independence Day week at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. One of the most successful and prolific musical artists in Latin American history, Miguel takes the stage at 9 p.m. nightly Sept. 15-18. Miguel’s string of chart-topping hits is virtually unrivaled and he has consistently broken many box office records.
Celebrate Mexican Independence All Month With Ambhar Tequila Drink Specials At Fusion Mixology Bar Palazzo Las Vegas – In honor of Mexican Independence Day on September 16, Fusion Mixology Bar at The Palazzo is offering Ambhar tequila drink specials throughout September. 2010 marks the bicentennial year of Mexico’s independence and the Latin-inspired Fusion bar featuring spectacular hand-crafted cocktails with ingredients from Mexico is the best place on the Strip to celebrate. Trained mixologists use fresh fruits and the muddling technique of grinding sugar and fresh limes and lemons to create one-of-a-kind libations.
Fantasy Las Vegas Introduces Bombshell Vocalist Lorena Peril – FANTASY, the Strip’s most exciting adult revue, just got even hotter with the introduction of powerhouse vocalist and exotic beauty, Lorena Peril. In celebration of its 11th anniversary, FANTASY at Luxor reveals 17 high-energy scenes, brand new choreography, special guest performers and a singing starlet that will keep the temperature rising in Las Vegas. Peril takes center stage alongside FANTASY’s sizzling, international cast in this engaging, intimate production great for both couples and singles alike. Every seat in Luxor’s Atrium Showroom provides up-close-and-personal views showcasing a gorgeous lineup of dancers who captivate audiences, luring them into their wildest fantasies.
CSI: The Experience Tour in Las Vegas û Based on the hit CBS TV show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, this interactive attraction is a must for any budding CSI Agent! At the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino on the famous Las Vegas Strip, delve into one of three different crime scenes and see if you have what it takes to uncover the truth.
Holding an existing reservation? Use customer service contact information given on your email receipt for proper service. You may have booked through an advertiser or travel partner.
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com 3565 Las Vegas Blvd. South #411
Las Vegas, NV 89109
The Venetian Rolls Out The Red Carpet For America’s Veterans With “Tribute to the Troops” – In celebration of Veteran’s Day, The Sands Foundation honored our nation’s veterans with an over-the-top weekend of entertainment, world-class dining, and relaxation at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. Nearly 75 wounded soldiers and their families arrived to a heartwarming red-carpet welcome in The Venetian’s Grand Colonnade. More than 1,000 gracious guests and Venetian team members cheered on the veterans as they proceeded through the crowd to the welcoming ceremony.
Blue Man Group Introduces Official @BMGVegas Tweet Spot At Its Theatre Inside The Venetian Las Vegas – Today, Blue Man Group Las Vegas introduced the official @BMGVegas Tweet Spot to inspire creative Twitter posts from guests attending the bald and blue trio’s nightly performances inside The Venetian Las Vegas. As a member of the Twitter community, Blue Man Group Las Vegas encourages Twitter users to stop by the @BMGVegas Tweet Spot before or after the show to share their thoughts and experiences. The @BMGVegas Tweet Spot, a distinctive Blue Man-esque mat in the lobby of the theatre, gives guests on Twitter the opportunity to embrace Blue Man Group’s unique style with each tweet. Guests can follow Blue Man Group Las Vegas on Twitter at @BMGVegas.
Desert Safari Hummer Adventure Tour û Get the real rugged desert terrain experience in a seven passenger, original Hummer. See deserted mines and the ruins of old mining camps. The tour will ascend 4,000 feet for a breathtaking view of valleys and mountains! You may encounter Big Horn Sheep, Wild Burros, Mustangs and even the elusive Kit Fox on the tour.
