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Access Vegas Insider Vibe March 3, 2010

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AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

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Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! Guess we’ll call this our jackpot issue as a number of really big jackpots have been hit the past couple of weeks. Looking forward, temps will start to flirt with the 70 degree mark just as March Madness hits full swing, and many of the “daylife” pool parties are getting ready to gear up for the season. Bring it on!

Obama’s Come And Gone – The President came to town, said that he loves Las Vegas, and that he didn’t mean to slight the town. Mayor Goodman was satisfied that the stink he raised got his point across. Harry Reid was able to announce $100 million in federal funding to help Nevadans with homes in foreclosure (to combat the image that he’s not been doing anything for the state).

Ironically, Obama’s visit had originally been scheduled for the opening of CityCenter but needed to be moved due to scheduling conflicts. Although his speech took place at CityCenter, he ironically made no mention of the project. Despite the “green” LEED certification and job creation of the project (two things you think he’d be all over). Obama’s current approval ratings in Nevada? 39% favorable, 46% unfavorable.

Top 10 Famous Movie Hotels – Tripadvisor included Bellagio Las Vegas at the #2 spot on their Top 10 list based on the resorts role in OceanÆs Eleven and OceanÆs Thirteen.

$877,061 Jackpot At Hard Rock – A visitor named John (last name withheld) won $877,061 after putting $100 in a 25 cent progressive Wheel of Fortune slot machine Saturday, Feb. 27. As you might expect, he spent the rest of his visit at the Hard Rock. (Note: Win that kind of cash, and you’ll usually find yourself 100% set-up with whatever you want or need for the rest of your stay). Or course, that’s nothing compared to…

$10,422,754.08 Megabucks Jackpot – Recently won at the Reno airport by John W. Johnson of Denver (who I’m sure now has lots of “long lost” friends and relatives contacting him at this very moment). He had just deplaned, stuck $20 in the machine, and hit after only four spins. A $12 investment. Amazing. So much for the old wives tale that it always hits at new hotels. Everyone was expecting it to hit at CityCenter’s Aria!

Dropouts Down – Clark County (Las Vegas) is seeing a record low number of dropouts. In years past, students would bail school knowing that plenty of (educationally) unskilled, good wage jobs existed in the area. Oh… how things have changed. You know times are tight when your check-out girl at the mini-mart looks like she’d be making $80,000 a year serving cocktails in a better economy.

Neither Democrat Nor Republican Welcome? – Both major political parties have expressed interest in having their next presidential nominating conventions here in Las Vegas. The problem? Setup time for these conventions borders on 90 days. Space needed during that length of time has already been booked by other conventions, and even if it was available, tying it up for that period of time just isn’t a good financial move for Las Vegas or the facilities in question. However, the Tea Party Nation will be holding a national convention here in July. Details: Second Tea Party Convention Planned for Vegas in July and Tea Party Nation

Truckloads Of Condos – When you think “condo” in Las Vegas, one usually thinks of the high rises on The Strip where prices start at hundreds of thousands of dollars. What many don’t know is that the current real estate market has resulted in a significant number of decent to nice (usually) 2 bedroom condos just a few minutes from The Strip. More importantly, these units are running in the $30k – $40k range. Now… I wouldn’t go buy one strictly for an investment. The condo segment of the market may be the slowest to recover, especially with $100k homes in decent parts of town available.

But, doing the math just might make it work out for those of you who visit regularly. For example, places in this complex (Example 1, Example 2), are literally two blocks from The Rio, The Gold Coast, and The Palms and a mile from The Strip. Mortgage is going to run you maybe $300 a month. With so many people leaving town, you can Craigslist up furniture for the place over a weekend.

And… you are likely to spend less money on your visits because you can keep food at home and you won’t be walking by slot machines 24/7. Plus (take it from those of us who live here), while it is great to be out on The Strip, it is really, really nice to come home and shut the door and turn it all off when you want. Most condo pools are open 24/7 and not nearly as crowded as hotel pools. (And, you don’t need to pay $10 a drink from a waitress). Zip Codes to check out for these kind of deals: 89102, 89103, and 89146 (basically the area bounded by Sahara, Rainbow, Tropicana, and The Strip).

Whoops – Nevada’s major casinos lost $6.8 billion during the last fiscal year. The only bright spot was that baccarat wins were at an all-time high. Obviously, this is because baccarat is a game usually played by the very wealthy so huge amounts of money are bet. And even with the house’s low vigorish (percentage they make), the revenue from it adds up. However, it is still one of the most player-friendly (you have a chance to walk a winner) games.

The good news? You don’t have to be wealthy to play baccarat. Many casinos offer mini-baccarat: Essentially the same game the “big boys” are playing, but where players sit around a blackjack like table and the betting minimums are much lower. Plus, it is super-easy to learn as there are only a couple basic bets. Give it a try next time!

Victor H. Royer’s Gaming Column – Starting next issue, we’ll once again have a fresh series of articles by prolific gaming writer Victor H. Royer. If you want to be a better, more informed player (and cut your losses) enter Victor H. Royer into the search at your favorite online bookstore and check out his offerings. The price of a few books is a fraction of what you could end up losing without his knowledge.

Tons Of Responses – Thanks to ALL who gave us their thoughts on “tiered hotel pricing” (see Feb. 17 Access Vegas Insider Vibe). We are compiling them, will publish them soon, and they will be passed on to those studying the issue!

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Las Vegas Is On Sale!
Get Great Rates At All Hotels:

Bellagio Gallery Of Fine Art Debuts Docent Tours – New Educational Opportunity Allows Art Lovers To Expand Their Horizons – Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA) broadens its role as one of Las Vegas’ premier cultural destinations with the debut of docent tours. Designed to appeal to art lovers of all ages, participation requires only an enthusiasm for fine art and a willingness to learn. Derived from the Latin word “docere” meaning “to teach,” a docent is a trained guide who leads visitors through a museum and delivers an educated commentary on the works in an exhibition. BGFA’s Docent Tours are offered five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, on a first-come, first-serve basis.


SI Swimsuit models Genevieve Morton, Cintia Dicker and Julie Ordon pose in front of Lagasse’s Stadium
photo credit: Imagesofvegas.com/IS Photography

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models At Lagasse’s Stadium – Sports Illustrated swimsuit models Julie Ordon, Genevieve Morton and Cintia Dicker were at Lagasse’s Stadium on February 11, 2010 autographing the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The models were having fun with their fans, signing the SI issue and taking photos. Close to 300 guests attended the event to tailgate with the supermodels!

Frank Marino Unveils Dazzling Drag Spectacular At The Imperial Palace – Las Vegas entertainment icon, Frank Marino unveils his new dazzling drag spectacular “Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas” tonight at the Imperial Palace. As part of the celebration, Marino will also receive a second star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. The self-proclaimed “Peoples’ Diva,” is the first entertainer to earn two stars on the famed boulevard û one outside the Riviera and one outside the Imperial Palace. Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas is a 75-minute, contemporary and up-beat production, full of male, lady look-alikes performing parodies of some of entertainment’s most beloved superstars.

$108,060.33 Paid Out On Monopoly At Hooters Casino! – Donna Egan came to Hooters Casino Hotel on her birthday looking for some big fun and to win a little on her favorite slot machine, Monopoly. What she didn’t expect was to win the progressive jackpot for $108,060.33! Donna was elated to win the big jackpot at Hooters Casino on her birthday. Her husband told Hooters executives that she had been keeping the fact that it was her 60th birthday a secret until she hit the big jackpot. Once she hit the jackpot, she started telling everyone that it was her 60th birthday. It goes to show you that a big jackpot can make you feel pretty good about turning another year old!

Peepshow Brings Sexy Back With Holly Madison As “Bo Peep” At Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino – PEEPSHOW, Las Vegas’ hottest show and striptease spectacular, brings sexy back to The Strip on Monday, March 1. Holly Madison returns to her starring role as “Bo Peep,” a modern woman who discovers her newfound sexuality. Madison is now the darling of Las Vegas after starring in the hit TV show, “The Girls Next Door,” on E! for five years and will soon star in her all-new show, “Holly’s World,” on E!, which season premieres in May. Madison will star alongside a sizzling ensemble of sexy PEEPSHOW GIRLS, showstoppers from film, TV and Broadway who were handpicked to perform in this enormous production.

Eva Longoria Parker Celebrates “Eva Longoria Parker Day” At Eve Nightclub In Las Vegas – Eva Longoria Parker celebrated “Eva Longoria Parker Day” with family and friends, and was presented with a prestigious award to acknowledge her outstanding entrepreneurial success at the Latin Chamber of Commerce 35th Installation Celebration at Eve, her CityCenter nightclub in Las Vegas. Chairman of the Clark County Commission Rory Reid and Las Vegas Councilman Ricky Barlow each presented her with a proclamation on the red carpet to declare the day in honor of Longoria Parker, who was recognized as the sole woman restaurant and nightclub owner on the Las Vegas Strip. Longoria Parker looked ravishing in a grey leather Bagdley Mischka dress and black YSL pumps as she walked the red carpet outside of Eve nightclub with her very proud parents, Ella and Enrique Longoria.

Back Alley Bar At Stratosphere Hotel & Casino New Home For Country-Rock Music On The Strip – With bars catering to country-rock music fans in short supply, the Back Alley Bar at Stratosphere Hotel & Casino steps in as the best place on the Strip to party, drink and do the occasional Texas two-step. Every Thursday through Monday at 10 p.m. one of Las Vegas’ most popular country-rock bands, WolfCreek, will rock the house.

Misura, Optica Debut At Street Of Dreams In Monto Carlo – Misura, a menÆs fine apparel boutique specializing in European designs and exceptional tailoring, and OPTICA, the premier distributor of luxury eyewear in America, are now open within Monte CarloÆs Street of Dreams.

  • Misura – For the man with impeccable taste, Misura offers a remarkable selection of clothing, shoes and accessories from some of the most desired designers in menÆs fashion including Hugo Boss, Zegna and Cole Haan.
  • OPTICA – A trendy optical boutique, OPTICA offers innovative designs from such iconic fashion brands as Cartier, Giorgio Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Ed Hardy, Tom Ford, Chrome Hearts and Tag Heuer.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I really enjoy your newsletter, and look forward to getting the insider scoop every edition. We come to Vegas about twice a year and have stayed at Encore, Treasure Island, Imperial Palace, and The Palms. This time around we used Vegas as a lay-over on our way to Maui, and stayed in a friend’s condo in the country club area, and went to the Hilton Sports book to watch the championship football games.

I really love going to spas, and have used the spa at Treasure Island and Encore. They were nice, but I always left feeling the massage was so-so, extremely overpriced, and the therapists had to charge more money to give me a better experience (with deeper pressure or therapeutic technique).

Today I was falling asleep during the football game (our red-eye from Maui left me really tired), so I ended up finding the spa in the Hilton and asking if they had anything open. They were very accommodating, and while the facility wasn’t the fanciest I’ve ever been to, my massage therapist was excellent! They allowed me to relax and just nap on the chaise lounge after sitting in the whirlpool, and next thing I know, I’d passed 3 hours and was very rested! It was an incredibly relaxing experience, and the price was a little cheaper than the other resort spas I’ve been to ($105 for a 50 min massage).

Also, we accidentally ended up at a Japanese restaurant called Aburiya-Raku and had an incredible experience. We have both lived in Japan and were impressed with the authenticity and how delicious everything is. We found the restaurant just by driving around and using my google application on my phone. We were able to read reviews of the restaurants listed in the area, and that one had 5 stars. We are looking forward to going back next month when we’re here with our extended family, and already have reservations. We highly recommend it!

Just one warning about Aburiya-Raku: make a reservation! We almost didn’t get to try it, and were walking back to our car after walking in unannounced and being turned down until 10pm. They came running out and offered us two spots at the bar. Most things are bite-sized, just 2-3 bites per order. The homemade tofu in warm broth was incredible!!!! My husband doesn’t like or eat tofu, and he ate over 2/3rds of it. It’s almost like a custard or creme brulee consistency. I would recommend sticking to the menu and staying away from the specials board. We got two specials, the kobe beef tataki and the grilled unagi (eel). They were both good, but extremely expensive ($36 for a small plate of beef and $45 for the unagi- which was a whole fish), and we saw other things from the menu come out of the kitchen that we would rather have tried.

Thank you again for such a great newsletter,

Carie

Ted Responds:

I know what you mean about massages. Too many times, one pays top dollar and walks away without the feeling that much had been done. Various spas will allow you to relax and use the facilities after a treatment (but I’d always inquire ahead). No question that hitting the spa can get a great way to rest and rejuvenate yourself when in Las Vegas.

Now you have me wanting to try Aburiya-Raku! It is only about 5 minutes from The Strip (5030 Spring Mountain Road — Spring Mountain is where Treasure Island meets The Strip).

Thanks for the tips and great report!

I just read the article about the increase cost to ride a bus. It said that a one time ride would be $2.00 and a 24-hour pass would go from $4.00 to $5.00. However, when I was there in August it cost $3.00 for a one time ride and $7.00 for a 24-hour pass. I did ride the Deuce bus with the 24-hour pass. Why the stated difference of $4.00 (now $5.00) to ride the bus when it cost me $7.00 for the 24-hour pass. Don’t understand this discrepancy.

Mike Heady

Ted Responds:

The Deuce has always had a slightly higher fare structure. However, you can save by purchasing 3-day passes for any route in advance, online for $15 at http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/fares_passes.cfm

Also, on March 28, a new express service called The Ace will be running The Strip with limited stops to provide faster service. We’ll have all the details next issue.

Just wanted to let all your readers know. Stayed for the fourth time at the Circus Circus. Heard it was going to be torn down. Hope that doesn’t happen. Had a spotlessly clean and fresh room. A little distance from the action, but was certainly cheap and the walk did us all good. Check in and out was fast and if they are still there next year will make every effort to stay again.

Sharon Palmer

Ted Responds:

Circus will be there for a long time. Las Vegas is overbuilt with expensive rooms so it would be foolish to tear down Circus and build something new right now.á Thanks for the report!

We fell in love with Las Vegas the first time we came and have been back every year since then. My eldest son visited Vegas for the first time in 2009 and fell in love with Vegas, just like we did and has just got engaged and intends to get married in Vegas. Any suggestions on good value and venues or anything to avoid would be appreciated.

Greetings from a cold and wet England.

Janet

Ted Responds:

Your safest bet is to go with one of the hotel packages. Just about every hotel has a wedding chapel offering a broad range of packages. Best to hit the actual hotel websites individually for initial research then perhaps call the hotel wedding director with any questions.

Another popular option is to rent a really nice hotel suite for a day or two and have the hotel do basic catering. Someone in catering or the hotel concierge should be able to help you advance plan getting a minister or wedding official. Plus, the bride and groom get to enjoy staying in the suite.

Conversely, if you have a car and want to get your own cake, food, liquor and similar, Albertsons full-service grocery store is only 2 miles east of The Strip on Flamingo at Maryland: 1300 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV (Google Map) – (702) 733-2947 NOTE: With anything and everything, always call ahead. Anything with a business is subject to change.

Maverick Helicopter Tours will marry you over the Las Vegas Strip or in the Grand Canyon. Info at Maverick Helicopter Tours and click on weddings.

If choosing a traditional Las Vegas wedding chapel, we like Little Chapel Of The Flowers (www.littlechapel.com). A number of years ago, we did a video preview of this chapel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1FaYwqNxWI

Hope this helps!

When you click on the photo gallery pictures, you can save & set as a desktop background. WHY are they ONLY a 4″x4″?? They just will not get any larger?? Nothing to do with my computer, its the pictures themselves. PLEASE make these Large for a desktop!!!

Thank You,

Zerlene

Ted Responds:

Some of our oldest pictures are smaller. The vast majority of sets are large enough to use as desktop. Scroll through http://www.accessvegas.com/pictures and see if you can find another set that interests you.

Also, once the picture is saved to your desktop, you can use your computer settings to tile it, or stretch it to fit your computer screen. Rest assured that all newer photo sets from the past 3-4 years and all the new photos we shoot now are plenty big and will make great quality computer desktop pictures!

Editors Note: We constantly get questions along the following lines:

Planning trip to Las Vegas. Any suggestions on good shows and places to eat?

Ted Responds:

With 60 casinos (each with numerous restaurants and shows) and each visitor having their own specific tastes, it is impossible to provide person-specific suggestions that are right for each individual.

Work your way back through our newsletter archives: https://las-vegas-news-reviews.com and I’m sure you’ll find things of interest!

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 4
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 9
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 29-31 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 20
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday, Canada July 31-August 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Jewish New Year September 9
  • 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

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

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All contents copyright 2010 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

March 3, 2010 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Access Vegas Insider Vibe February 17, 2010

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Seasonal Vegas Information
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

Hello from Las Vegas! After four weeks of party-to-mostly cloudy with rain a few days a week, Spring has (more or less) sprung! Balmy temps in the low 70’s F with plenty of sunshine. It won’t last yet (50’s for next week), but nice to start seeing.

We’re finishing up this issue just asáPresident Obama visits Las Vegas (hence, no reports or updates about anything he may say). I do want to acknowledge and thank those who have continued writing and sharing their opinions on the matter. We have not had this much reader interest in a single issue since a few years ago when “Should you bring your kids to Las Vegas” became a hot topic in the wave of all the nightclubs openings. I enjoy the feedback on all levels: It helps us put out a better newsletter for you.

The sentiment ran pretty strongly anti-Obama (in relation to his remarks) but I must point out it is by no means a scientific sample. I can say that Mayor Oscar Goodman declined to meet The President at the airport, noting that he already had a very busy day scheduled many weeks ago and unless an apology was forthcoming, Goodman would be keeping his original obligations.

Grandstanding? Maybe. But Goodman spent the past year getting an earful from people in the hotel and convention industry who really took a hit following Obama’s 2009 remarks. Maybe grandstanding to represent your electorate isn’t such a bad thing.

Goodbye Hawaii, Hello Country? – The Hawaiian Tropic Zone at Planet Hollywood (I almost wrote “The Aladdin”… that is what living here nearly 17 years does to you) is closing in just a few days to make way for “PBR Rock Bar”. We’ve heard rumblings it is going to be like Gilly’s, but nothing confirmed. Professional Bull Riders Bar? Pabts Blue Ribbon Bar? We’ll let you know more when we do!

Hawaiian Tropic Zone was a nice place, sorry to see it go. We were there for the pre-opening and more recently for one of the MMA bikini contests and have the photo sets to prove it (lots of bikini girls in both):

Aladdin Implosion, Looking Back – Nearly 12 years ago, on April 27, 1998, the Aladdin Las Vegas was imploded to make way for a new, bigger Aladdin built to keep up with the era of Las Vegas megaresorts such as Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, and Paris Las Vegas. This was one of the many amazing Las Vegas implosions I witnessed live and maybe one of the most beautiful as The Aladdin fell like a graceful deck of cards. Thanks to YouTube, a fullá45+ minute Aladdin implosion special (filmed live at the time) is available to enjoy. Click to watch Aladdin Las Vegas Implosion Video from April 27, 1998

A Better Pricing Model? – One of the biggest complaints from travelers (and especially Las Vegas visitors) is the so-called “Resort Fee” that charges you sometimes $10-15 (or more) for either services that seemingly should be included in your stay (free phone calls) or services that many are not likely to use (the hotel gym). Local writer, blogger, and UNLV Center for Gaming Research Director David G. Schwartz recently floated a proposal for a tiered pricing level:

A guest booking a room at the “standard” rate would receive a room key and not much more. He or she would have to pay extra for virtually every other hotel service; for example, to visit the health club, use the Internet, or make phone calls.

At the “gold” rate, customers would receive everything that came with the standard, plus free wireless Internet, phone calls, bottled water, copies of the local paper, etc.

For guests looking for more, a “platinum” rate could deliver all the benefits of the gold rate, plus several extras — dining credits, a selection of prix fixe menus at select hotel restaurants, tickets to the hotel’s big show, complimentary spa services, and nightclub admissions.

He (and many here in Las Vegas) are very interested in your thoughts. If you’ve ever thought about writing in on an issue and you have any feelings one way or the other, this is the time so speak up! First, go ahead and read the rest of the article Tiered room pricing: A modest proposal (an easy read). Second, email your thoughts to us at allvegastv@aol.com. We’ll be sharing all of the responses with “Dr. Dave” (he has a PhD) and the gaming/hotel industry here as well.

Cutting is short this week (for my segment). Co’mon… the weather is beautiful. If you aren’t here right now to soak up the sun, I’m going to do it for you. (Never let it be said that I’d ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do).

Enjoy This Issue!

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Las Vegas Is On Sale!
Get Great Rates At All Hotels:

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Celebrates National Margarita Day On February 22, 2010 – Margarita lovers will receive specials and incentives throughout the day: 2/22 Birthday Specials, 2/22/22 Free Birthday Meals,and Free Margarita Mix if your name is Margarita or Rita! On Monday, February 22nd, America will celebrate National Margarita Day, and there will be no better place to take part in the festivities than Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville locations across the country from Key West to Las Vegas to New Orleans.

Zero Gravity Corporation Brings Sky High Adventure To Sin City With Exclusive Weightless Flight, February 27 – Zero-G To Fly From McCarran Airport Inviting Fliers To New Heights – On February 27, Zero Gravity Corporation’s (ZERO-G), G-FORCE ONE will take off from LAS Airport offering fliers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to defy the laws of gravity. Guests will have the unique opportunity to float freely in complete weightlessness during ZERO-G’s weightless flight. ZERO-G is the first and only FAA-approved provider of commercial weightless flights. Flying ZERO-G is a rare opportunity that only a select few have experienced calling it amazing and life-changing. The Weightless Experience is an extraordinary and exciting luxury travel experience.

“Seinfeld’s” Jason Alexander As “Donny Clay” Begins Limited Engagement At Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino – Renowned comic Jason Alexander, of the hit comedy sitcom “Seinfeld,” performs his uproarious show “The Donny Clay Experience” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino beginning February 11. Actor, Director and Producer Jason Alexander, star of the Broadway stage, motion pictures and most notably the award-winning actor who played “George Costanza” on “Seinfeld,” now portrays the character “Donny Clay,” the world’s fourth-best motivational speaker. “Donny Clay’s” world famous seminars entail hilarious evenings full of comedy, music, self-help and partial nudity all combined to leave you laughing as you discover the YOU inside of you.

Singing Sensation Matt Goss Live From Caesars Palace Produced By Robin Antin Set To Debut In The Legendary Cleopatra’s Barge – International pop sensation Matt Goss will continue the rich history of headline entertainers at Caesars Palace debuting Singing Sensation Matt Goss Live From Caesars Palace Produced by Robin Antin on Friday, March 12, at Cleopatra’s Barge. Presented by Robin Antin, creator of The Pussycat Dolls, Goss’s show will offer a dynamic blend of musical talent. Backed by a 9-piece band and sexy female dancers known as The Dirty Virgins, Goss, who has sold more than 17 million albums worldwide, will entertain guests with a production featuring a mix of his career hits, songs from his new album and popular covers.

Alicia Keys’ Freedom Tour Comes To Mandalay Bay Friday, April 9 With Special Guests Robin Thicke & Melanie Fiona – Twelve-time GRAMMY«Award-winning singer/songwriter Alicia Keys, named one of Billboard’s Artists of the Decade, will bring her Freedom Tour to the Mandalay Bay Events Center Friday, April 9. The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. and also will feature special guests Robin Thicke and Melanie Fiona. Keys’ latest album, The Element of Freedom, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B Albums and Digital Albums charts and No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart.

Celebrate Year of the Tiger at BellagioÆs Conservatory & Botanical Gardens – Majestic Botanical Tiger to Usher in Chinese New Year 2010.áBellagioÆs Conservatory has ushered in the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Tiger, with a spectacular new exhibit. The magnificent centerpiece is a tiger comprised of dried yellow and orange marigold petals. The tiger is the third animal in the Asian zodiac. Just steps away, an 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Prosperity stands amidst golden lucky coins.

Visitors also can discover a trio of charming, 6-foot-tall giant pandas. Made of more than 9,000 living plants, the pandas frolic in a lush garden filled with towering bamboo. The dramatic design found within BellagioÆs Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is guided by the ancient practice of Feng Shui û the art of using surroundings to attract harmony, balance and positive life energy. Guests are invited to celebrate the Chinese New Year in the Conservatory through February 28.

Nevada Ballet Theatre Presents Brave New World, March 27 & 28, Featuring Three World Premiere Ballets – Captivating, never-before-seen works by cutting-edge choreographers including local artist Gail Gilbert, New York powerhouse Thaddeus Davis and nationally renowned choreographer, James Canfield. Nevada Ballet Theatre announced today it will present Brave New World, featuring three world premiere works: Song of the Nightingale, a story ballet based on the original Hans Christian Andersen tale, The Nightingale, choreographed by local artist Gail Gilbert; a fascinating new work by Wideman/Davis Dance Company Artistic Director Thaddeus Davis; and Cyclical Night, a tango-inspired piece by Nevada Ballet Theatre’s own Artistic Director James Canfield.

The Forum Shops At Caesars Introduces Another New Restaurant, New Retailers For 2010 – Painted skies, living statues and Las Vegas’ first celebrity chef. The Forum Shops at Caesars continues to lead the retail industry both domestically and internationally by setting trends and being “first” in the Las Vegas market. Early 2010 will be no exception as Las Vegas’ first Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man and Christian Audigier are set to be opened this year.

The Stratosphere Hotel To Host Dale Earnhardt Foundation Celebrity Poker Tournament February 25, 2010 – The Stratosphere Hotel, one of the most recognizable icons on the Las Vegas Strip and one of the most recognizable names in NASCAR history join together to present the “Dale Earnhardt Foundation Celebrity Poker Tournament.” The Dale Earnhardt Foundation’s mission is to continue Dale’s legacy through charitable programs and grants that sustain his lifelong commitment to children, education and environmental/wildlife preservation.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I have been reading articles about Boyd Gaming’s bid for the Station Casino properties with great interest. We have stayed at Boulder Station on vacation for the past 3 years (I have stayed there 5 times in the past 10 years) and have been pleased with the hotel. Its location has been ideal for us – close to the freeway and only a short drive to the strip and downtown areas. A rental car has been a necessity. We have spent a considerable amount of time taking day trips to Arizona, Utah and sightseeing in Nevada. My husband loves the breakfast buffet. We have also visited Sunset Station and Palace Station.

We did go to Sam’s Town, visited the casino and tried the buffet. We felt that the quality of the food is better at Boulder Station and that the casino was not as dark and smoky. Boulder Station also is a smaller hotel and the rooms are more than adequate and quiet. I am concerned that if Boyd Gaming’s bid for the Station properties is successful, that it will not be the same hotel and casino experience that we have enjoyed.

Any thoughts on the Boyd’s bid for takeover?

Regards,

Elizabeth from Massachusetts

Ted Responds:

As I’ve noted in the past, I used to have a condo am very familiar with Boulder, Sam’s Town, etc. Great location for doing all that you do, and I agree: A quick run to downtown and easy escape to Arizona.

Sam’s Town is an older property. So, don’t be so quick use it as an example of all Boyd properties. Main Street Station (ironically not part of Station Casinos) is also a Boyd property, as is Orleans. All very different properties.

Also, Boulder had significant improvements just a few years ago.

Station will fight the buyout/takeover with everything they have. If it happens, hard to tell what changes would occur at Boulder. Stick your head into Arizona Charlies and Eastside Cannery and see if they look like somewhere you’d want to stay if Boulder changes on you.

Not to kill your strip business but as a former resident there for 5 years let it be duly noted by myself and wife that there is no doubt that OFF strip casinos (locals play) are the best places to gamble for your money. The machines and odds are so much better and the service is quicker also. The high rent strip hotels with there big overhead are No comparison to the off strip joints. My advice is NEVER gamble on the strip as they are mostly ripoffs, try the others and see for yourself. I know this to be a true fact.

Former Resident Bob from Florida

Ted Responds:

Most people won’t leave the touristy/Strip area so we at least remind people to check out theádowntown hotel casinos.

A few issues ago, I did a piece comparing hotel construction costs and inflation. Because of construction costs, places like Wynn literally can’t offer $1 beers or they would go out of business!áAlthough… paying $7 for a Heineken (Wynn price) never sits easy with me. We have a surprising number of readers who are regular Las Vegas visitors and enjoy checking out non-Strip properties.

Thanks for reading and telling your friends to subscribe!

At one time you had a site: Printable Las Vegas Food Specials. It listed Las Vegas Cheap Food Deals. Do you still have a site like this.

Thanks,

M. Brown

Ted Responds:

We had to unfortunately end that section. It became way too hard to keep up on everything. Then… if a special we notedáhad expired by the time people got to town, we got yelled at by readers. Even though we also noted that people should always call ahead and check to see if a special is still running!

We DO post food deals we come across or are informed about at http://www.easyvegasdeals.com. Also, we welcome readers emailing us about any special they come across using the email at the bottom of this section.

We receive your newsletter and enjoy it very much. We are British living in the South of France with a second home in Las Vegas. We always hire a car when over for 6 weeks at a time and was interested in your article stating it was cheaper to hire elsewhere than from the airport. I compared our dollar Rental charge from the airport to picking up as an example from the MGM hotel and it was more expensive. Perhaps you could give me some tips. Or is there a local car rental we could pick up from our house off Silverado Ranch area.

We love Vegas and all our friends and family come through the year and spend their money there.

Regards,

Jacqui

Ted Responds:

I used to live over near the Silverado Ranch area (89123 zip code). A great place to live or have a vacation home because you are a very quick jump on the beltway or I-15 to from both The Strip and the airport. Renting at the airport “entitles” you to pay more fees and taxes. And the crazy thing is that the car rental facility is a couple miles from the airport terminal!

As we’ve noted in previous newsletters, most major hotels have a Hertz counter. However… for someone headed to your area, “A Frugal Car Rental” at Wigwam and LV Blvd. might work (8480 Las Vegas Blvd S #140, Las Vegas, NV 89123) They have been in business there for a few years, although let me note that I have never used them. So this is not an endorsement. But if they are a “mom and pop” operation, you may be able to negotiate a good multi-week rate and have then make the short drive to get you.

Enterprise car rental company will pick you up from anywhere in the area so at least compare them to Dollar’s pick-up services. Hope this helps!

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

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More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 4
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 9
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 29-31 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 20
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday, Canada July 31-August 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Jewish New Year September 9
  • 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)
  • Mardi Gras March 8

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February 17, 2010 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Access Vegas Insider Vibe February 10, 2010

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Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

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Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! Well, the firestorm of comments regarding President Obama’s Vegas remarks (see last weeks Vegas Vibe) came in hot and heavy. This kind of reminds me why we steer way clear of politics here. Don’t get me wrong: I’m an adept pundit on politics, but we’re all about Vegas and fun.

However, the Obama remarks could not be ignored. Especially in light of news this week that convention visitor volume fell almost 25% in 2009. Can some of be attributed to the recession? Of course. But even if Obama’s February 2009 comments were responsible for only 5% of that (and conventions did cancel Vegas and move elsewhere at that time), that would be 5% too much.

Don’t Shoot The Messenger – We’ll publish a fair sampling of reader input on this issue in Members Mania. As always, I’ll lay my best thoughts out on the table in response. If you don’t like what some people wrote, don’t yell at me. I’m mostly acting as the conduit. Also, we’ll go heavy on real estate news this issue as people have been inquiring.

The Tide Is Turning – We’ve seen four straight months of rising visitor counts. From time-to-time we get email saying Las Vegas has changed and we’re never coming back. Well… Las Vegas has changed again, and people are coming back. Rooms are dirt cheap, many fine dining restaurants are offering incredible prix fixe (fixed price) meals in the $40 and $50 range, and show prices have moderated. Oh… almost forgot:

Another Super Sunday In The Books – The most watched game in Superbowl history created a jam-packed, adrenalin filled weekend here. Over $82 million was bet on the game and because of a combination of some huge money (multiple $1 million-plus bets according to many sources) on the Colts combined with the popularity of parlay cards (rip offs in most cases… go play roulette instead), sports books held on to almost $7 million.

NFL vs. Las Vegas Continues – For years, the NFL prohibited anything Las Vegas (the hotels, the city, you name it) from advertising on the Superbowl. This year they mildly relaxed their rules stating that an ad simply shouldn’t show hotel/casinos or anything related to gaming. While the LVCVA (people who spend the bed tax money) opted not to place an ad, car maker Kia featured a memorable Las Vegas segment in their commercial airing during the third quarter of the game: Click to view Controversial Kia Sorento “Las Vegas” Superbowl Commercial

The commercial “broke” the NFL’s rules and got them in a huff. Las Vegas got “advertised” on the “big game” without spending a dime. Mayor Goodman even commented that the ad was better than some of the ads LVCVA puts out (as the LVCVA had no involvement in the creation of the commercial). The LVCVA tried to take some credit, by noting how strong a “brand” Las Vegas is. (A brand they seem to take credit for building and maintaining).

I see it as more proof that the LVCVA is borderline inept and that if they ceased to exist, it would make little impact on visitor counts. The hotels are still going to promote the city, travel sites are still going to promote the city, and just about every one of you returns home from a vacation here spreading the word. The LVCVA’s attempt to take credit for every iota of Las Vegas’ success is getting old. They got “punked” by a car maker who put out a better “Vegas” ad than anything they’ve done in a while.

Gaming Revenue Plunges – Gaming revenue (the money that you leave behind at the tables and slots) fell over 10% in 2009. Obviously, part of this is due to the economy. However, I can’t ignore the strong reader input noting that your gambling money just doesn’t last as long as it used to, and you are instead spending it on shows, dining, shopping, and tours. Still enjoying Vegas? Yes! Gambling as much? No.

Signs Of Recovery? – Analysts note that the Las Vegas economy will not recover until jobs in both tourism and construction return. (Duh). My prediction? Tourism jobs will slowly return over the next 2-3 years. Construction jobs will not.áThe population will stay stagnant for the next few years as construction workers leave, most likely being replaced by retirees flocking for the nice weather and dirt cheap home prices. Speaking of…

Another Wave Of Foreclosures – Is imminent. These homes will start to hit the market later this year, possibly pushing prices even lower. I’ve been following the market for a long time. If you are thinking of house hunting here, later this year and on into winter will probably be prime time. Hard to predict bottom, but the saturation point at which prices get so low that people simply don’t sell (hanging on to the house or walking away) is primed to be later this year. And speaking of…

$7000 Las Vegas House – We usually only hear about homes this cheap in Detroit. But a home here in Las Vegas has an asking price of $7000! Now… it obviously needs some work, and it is in a neighborhood some would call questionable, but co’mon. Think about a house that many can pretty much put on their credit card! Click to view $7000 Las Vegas House For Sale

FAO Schwarz – Has let its lease run out at The Forum Shops and closed. It was a cool, store… great fun to browse and shop in. But… Forum Shop space is very expensive to lease and high-end toys probably don’t have as much of a market as they did in better times.

Celine Returns – If you follow our Twitter feed, you already know that Celine is back for an extended run. This isn’t “A New Day Part II”. Celine will be performing hits from throughout her career, backed with a band and orchestra, and new video theming. Click for Celine Dion Las Vegas Tickets

Death Valley? – People know that the Grand Canyon as a day tour from Las Vegas, and forget that Death Valley is also a day tour. You’ll see amazing desert scenery, Scotty’s Castle, visit the lowest spot n the Western Hemisphere, and more. Just make sure to book in for the next 3 months or so. July – September can be brutally hot. Check out our Featured Tour section for more.

Enjoy This Issue!

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Las Vegas Is On Sale!
Get Great Rates At All Hotels:


Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist and Las Vegas headliner, Carlos Santana presents Andre Agassi with an autographed guitar for the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy’s music department.

Carlos Santana Encourages Donations To Andre Agassi Foundation For Education During February Performances Of Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through The Hits – Launching his partnership with the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist and Las Vegas headliner Carlos Santana today joined Andre Agassi for a tour of the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, meeting with children and offering his support. Santana is encouraging public donations through video messaging during his live performances of Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits this month.

Terry Fator Celebrates First Anniversary As Las Vegas Headliner With Introduction Of New Character – Over the past year, Terry Fator has been entertaining the masses as a Strip headliner in Terry Fator & His Cast of Thousands at The Mirage. Without moving his lips, Fator has left audiences stunned by his talent and cheering for more as he takes them on a journey through the idiosyncrasies of characters, including Winston the Impersonating Turtle, Cowboy Walter T. Airedale and Duggie Scott Walker, five nights a week. Vikki “The Cougar” was the first new character introduced for Fator’s headlining show.

Rockhouse Rocks Spring Break With “Sprink Broke 2010” – Spring Break Student Specials March Through May At Rockhouse – In the midst of an economic recession, Rockhouse Bar and Nightclub has the solution to the Spring Break epidemic that is sweeping the nation. College students across the country have been forced to adjust, or in the worst case scenario, abandon their Spring Break party plans. Rockhouse’s “Spring Broke 2010” will pickup right where it left off last year, with a memorable Spring season full wild parties and drunken all-nighters for those party-hard Spring Breakers that are still “Spring Broke.”

Daughtry To Play Orleans Arena April 29 – Following the success of its nationally televised New Year’s Eve performance in Times Square, Daughtry recently revealed plans for the second leg of its U.S. arena tour, which will be making a stop in Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena on Thursday, April 29. Singer Chris Daughtry, bassist Josh Paul, drummer Joey Barnes, and guitarists Brian Craddock and Josh Steely will be joined by special guests Lifehouse and opening band Cavo.

Martin Lawrence To Perform Two Shows At The Pearl At The Palms – The Pearl Concert Theater inside Palms Casino Resort is proud to present comedian Martin Lawrence for two Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 9:00 p.m. Martin Lawrence has established himself as one of America’s most popular actor/comedians with starring roles in such hit movies as Big Momma’s House, Bad Boys and its sequel Bad Boys II, Blue Streak, Wild Hogs and National Security among others.

New Michael Jackson Tribute Artist Added To American Superstars At Stratosphere Hotel & Casino – The AMERICAN SUPERSTARS show at the Stratosphere Casino & Hotel is excited to announce Corey Melton as the new Michael Jackson tribute artist. “We’re thrilled to have Corey join our incredible cast. He is an amazing talent with a lot of energy and his resemblance to Michael Jackson is uncanny. Together with his incredible voice and dance moves we have the perfect tribute to the King of Pop,” said Donny Moore, co-producer of AMERICAN SUPERSTARS.

International Superstar Lionel Richie To Perform At The Colosseum At Caesars Palace March 26 – 27 – International music icon Lionel Richie will bring his four decades of chart topping hits to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Friday, March 26 and Saturday, March 27. One of the most distinctive and instantly recognizable voices in music, Richie is excited to introduce fans to songs from his new album JUST GO which is a remarkable music marriage of his timeless style and a collection of contemporary material.

Featured Tour û Enjoy Las Vegas!

Death Valley Day Trip from Las VegasDeath Valley Day Trip from Las Vegas – Escape to the desert on day trip to Death Valley during your Las Vegas vacation. You’ll travel through the magnificent Mojave Desert and visit the Spanish-style Scotty’s Castle for lunch. Tour Ubehebe Crater and visit the atmospheric Furnace Creek Ranch Museum and Rhyolite Ghost Town. And as a special memento of your adventure, you will receive a Death Valley Explorer Certificate! Highlights

* All taxes, fuel surcharges and service fees included * Free hotel pickup and drop-off included * Breakfast included * Lunch included

Click For Details And Book
Death Valley Day Trip from Las Vegas Now!

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

My wife and I visit Las Vegas 2-3 times per year. We live in Alberta, Canada and find Las Vegas offers so much more than gambling. Reading your recent news letter I was quite upset to hear Obama’s remarks about avoiding Las Vegas for a vacation or convention and to then spend your money on your kids college education? Does he think people are that stupid that they would waste their college money?

Las Vegas earns more money from my wife and I in their fabulous shopping centres and evening shows than the hotel we stay in does. Each visit we spend $2,000-$3,000 on shopping items and about $500 on shows. Maybe $200-$300 in the one armed bandits. (Can we still call them that)? He should really think sometimes before he speaks. Please pass this email along in your battle against his remarks. We love Las Vegas because there is so much to see and do other than gambling.

Regards, Brent Your Canadian Eh !!

Ted Responds:

I think you really hit on the point that others may be missing: You can gamble your brains out here if you want, but it has almost become a secondary activity. The world class food, shows, and shopping are a huge attraction. I was just over at CityCenter and saw this represented: The Aria was buzzing pretty good with people, not not a huge amount of gamblers. People were eating, people were shopping, people in lounges drinking.

Some think we (Las Vegas) deserve the Obama comments because we have been selling “What Happens Here, Stays Here”, but that slogan isn’t a gambling slogan (except for the joke that your money stays here). We’re selling the vibe. The party. A place where you can live differently than you live at home, cut loose, have some fun, no last call, maybe splurge on buying something nice, seeing a nice show, eating at a celeb chef restaurant. In fact, I think that our newsletter is testament to all of that: We seldom cover gambling. But we’ll sure let you know what the latest food, shows, bars, and shops are.

One armed bandits is still an appropriate term, although many of the newest slots no longer have handles. Which is kind of a bummer: Once in a while, it is fun to actually pull a slot handle!

As a manager of a New York State travel agency I agree very much that the LVCVA is totally useless and we have not used their services in many years. What they do with the money they are given is beyond me and should be investigated.

As for President Obama, you have a right to be upset because of your city but I donÆt think you are looking at the whole picture and you should know that many people feel that your mayor is less than reputable. Also, regarding Rush Limpballs [sic], you really shouldnÆt praise him being in Las Vegas. He will do whatever it takes to get attention for himself and not necessarily what is best for this country at all. Just my own thoughts-thanks for listening.

Cindy Maloni
1stchoicetravel.com

Ted Responds:

Thanks for the thoughts. Per Limbaugh, I wasn’t praising him for being here. Simply exploring reasons why Obama would make the kind of comment he made, at the time he made it. To varying degrees, the media has played Limbaugh as a thorn in Obama’s side. Limbaugh spends a week in Vegas and apparently enjoys himself. The next week, Obama uses Vegas as a negative connotation. I’m just looking at various angles.

I realize that our gin-swilling, shoot-his-mouth-off mayor is not everybody’s cup of tea. But he’s ours, and we like him. He was re-elected in a landslide for his second term, and recent polling indicate that he’d fare better than Harry Reid if he (Goodman) ran for Senate: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman Would Do Better Than Harry Reid in Nevada Senate Race

Most politicians say one thing, then do another. Goodman doesn’t. Everybody knows where they stand. If someone were to decide against a Las Vegas visit based on Goodman, they are probably someone who wouldn’t enjoy it much in the first place. BTW, I’ve had feedback from people who say they love Las Vegas, but really have trouble stomaching a place that supports Harry Reid (see following letter). So… it cuts both ways.

Per the LVCVA: Questions were brought up a few months ago about the juiced-in, three decade relationship with the advertising agency they use, and the huge amounts of money the ad agency was allowed to spend without oversight. The ad agency did decide “based on the economy” to cut their fee from 15% to 12.5%: LVCVA votes to continue R&R pact. Past that, not much came from it. The LVCVA is so powerful (and has so many people involved) that very few are willing to take them on, and really no one willing to take them on who could rock the boat hard enough to get a good look going on.

I have been coming to Las Vegas a couple times a year (or more in good years!) for the better part of 25 years. I appreciate all the good information you disseminate in your newsletter. I always check it out, and sometime plan a visit around information I learn for you!

I appreciate you taking the service workers to task in your comments about tipping. At least a third of the dealers are more adept at running customers off, then working to be nice and get a tip!

Finally, politics is something I have always put aside when in Las Vegas. However, with all the controversy Nevada Senator Harry Reid has caused; his backroom deals to push through health care legislation, and is seemingly deaf ear to the general policy, itÆs time the people in Las Vegas realize, he is bad for business! I find it hard to support a state that supports Senator Reid. IÆm certain many others are starting to connect the dots and take their hard earned cash to another vacation destination. As they say, a word to the wise…

Kind Regards,

Steve from Cincinnati, OH

Ted Responds:

If it makes you feel any better, Nevada does not support Harry Reid. His polling numbers here have stayed low despite a TV commercial blitz designed to raise them, and if the election were held today, any of his three main challengers running in the GOP primary would beat him unquestionably. Reference: Polls Still Not Reid’s Friend (scroll down to that section)

There was some talk is that he may think about retiring similar to what Chris Dodd (D-CT) did. However… Reid is a scrappy fighter and will have plenty of support from his party all over the nation. Reid has won many elections during his tenure in politics by amazingly slim margins. Hence, no one is counting him out.

On the flip side, keep in mind that Nevada is bleeding the union jobs (with many of those people leaving the state, and even more gone by election time after unemployment has run out). And… the union rank-and-file here traditionally vote for the Democrat candidate. The unions work very hard on “turn out the vote” campaigns among members. Without those votes, Reid could be even more vulnerable.

Reid’s other uphill battle will be to prove his effectiveness for Nevada. The pro-Reid argument is how great it is to have someone from Nevada in his position of power. However… it seems that both stimulus and foreclosure help money are bypassing Nevada.

In addition, needed transportation initiatives sit idle for a city which revolves around getting people here. Forget about a high-speed train to L.A. We don’t even have Amtrak service of any kind out of Las Vegas. How great would even a Friday/Sunday train catering to L.A. visitors be? It is certainly worth a try. We don’t even have a four-lane highway (let alone Interstate) completely connecting Phoenix with Las Vegas. How’s that for a project that would both create jobs and provide an indefinite benefit to both areas!

So in the infamous words of Ricky Ricardo, Reid “has some ‘splainin’ to do” to the voters here this fall.

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

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More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

Access Vegas Insider Vibe û February 3, 2010

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AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

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Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! Brrrrr, brrrrr, brrrrr, brrrr, brrrr. No… not here. I mean the rest of the U.S. After some Saturday rain, Sunday is shaping up to be mostly sunny and with an “unseasonably cool” high of 60 degrees. Not much cooler than Miami is for the Superbowl. Speaking of…

What Recession? – I want to make it very clear that I understand plenty of people are hurting badly. And, much of Las Vegas is no exception. But reports of Las Vegas’ demise are 100% premature. Visitor volume for Superbowl weekend is up almost 15% over last year. Most other visitor-related numbers are rising. If you aren’t here, someone else is sleeping in that hotel room, enjoying your favorite buffet, and seeing that show you really want to see!

Yes… we are going to talk all things Obama vs. Vegas with Oscar Goodman pleading our case. If you missed the flap and care to catch up, click to view Las Vegas Mayor Oscar GoodmanÆs Brash Remarks About President Obama. If you don’t care, don’t worry. Scroll past my comments and you’ll find our usual massive array of Las Vegas information to keep you up-to-speed for your next visit.

“A Real Slow Learner” – is how Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman referred to President Obama’s remarks about Las Vegas. To those of you who feel this is blown out of proportion and that Obama was simply giving sound financial advice, please let me note the following:

  • This is the second time in a year that Obama has specifically pointed out visiting Las Vegas as a negative example in a speech.
  • Last year when he suggested companies getting government bail-outs should not use the money to go to Las Vegas, the repercussions went much farther. Numerous conventions and gatherings already scheduled for Las Vegas were moved to other cities (all of which are much more expensive for conventions) just to avoid the negative stigma Obama suggested.
  • Obama could have simply said that you should save for college instead of blowing money on vacations or used any number of generic examples. Some would consider a trip to San Francisco (which is beautiful, great history, arts, food — well worth visiting) as “blowing” money. Some would consider a visit to the Gulf Coast for a charter fishing trip as “blowing” money.

    What else is a vacation, except a time to go “blow” some money in exchange for a great time? Is spending $400 on a helicopter ride to see the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas any different than spending $400 a night for a bed and breakfast in wine country? Is spending a couple hundred dollars on Las Vegas show tickets any different than spending a similar amount at all Orlando has to offer?

  • Some might say “Well… he was talking about gambling your money away.” Mmmmm…. like that can’t be done in the Chicagoland area that Obama otherwise calls home? Or numerous other states with casino gambling?
  • Obama has no problem taking vacations: New York, Hawaii, you name it. Which is all fine and well with me. I’ve never been one to gripe that a president spends time where he wants, regardless of politicaláparty. The White House could make anyone stir crazy. But… he didn’t say “don’t blow money on a trip to Hawaii…”.
  • Is it really Obama’s job to give us financial advice? Perhaps he should leave that to Dave Ramsey or Bob Brinker and instead focus on the business of the country’s finances.

    By the way… someone saving for college is under 21 and absolutely should not be coming to Las Vegas. If he was referring to parents saving for their kids’ college education… we have no law (as of yet) mandating that parents must skip vacations and instead placing the money budgeted in their child’s college savings account.

I’ll give you one more angle on this that I have yet to see anywhere:

Obama nemesis Rush Limbaugh (YouTube) spent the previous week here in Las Vegas judging the Miss American pageant. I didn’t hear any of Limbaugh’s shows, but by all accounts he thoroughly enjoyed his stay. Contrary to some of the rumors, Obama’s remarks about Las Vegas were indeed scripted. They were in the copy of the speech given to the press. Somebody specifically thought the Vegas line out. Could this have been a dig at Limbaugh that simply got out of control?

Sadly, the very rank-and-file hotel union members who supported Obama and helped him win Nevada were the very people his comments last year hurt. And… who are likely to be hurt again with continued comments about Las Vegas which make groups and conventions think twice about how appropriate a Las Vegas visit is.

If you are still in the “this was no big deal” camp, please tell that to the people hurt by the first set of remarks in a town with over 13% unemployment. Mispronouncing the word nuclear may make you look stupid, but kicking a city when it is down shows bad judgment.

Related Videos:

You Can Comment at Las Vegas Mayor Oscar GoodmanÆs Brash Remarks About President Obama
Note: All Views Are Welcome But Comments Will Be Moderated If Not Appropriate

Louie Anderson, Sammy Shore, Rich Little, Pete Barbutti, and Lance Burton (all pictured) joined George Wallace,áBobby Slayton,áPam Matteson,á, Vinnie Favorito, Kathleen Dunbar, Kathy Walker, Pete Barbutti, Rick Faugno, Manny Oliveira, Frankie Scinta and Jeff Hobson performing before a full house at the Funny Bone fundraiser to help animal rescue organizations. It was a full house at the Key West Showroom in The Palms and admission was only $20.

Wait Ted… I would have liked to go. I don’t remember reading about that in the newsletter! You are correct. You didn’t. Show information came too late to be included in our last issue. HOWEVER… we did post it on our Twitter feed http://twitter.com/accessvegas and we often post late breaking info. You don’t have to sign up for Twitter to access the feed (although you should follow us if you have a Twitter account). Simply visit the above link every day or two and see what is new!

The Return Of Jimmy Hopper – Long time Las Vegas visitors know and love Jimmy Hopper (video preview). He was the main headliner at Fontana Room (Bellagio) for years, also playing stints at The Rio and Luxor. He’s now back at The Palms. WHEN: Sundays beginning Sunday, February 14, 2010 7:00 p.m. û 10:00 p.m. WHERE: The Lounge inside Palms Casino Resort COST: Performances are free and open to the public; 21 and over; seating is first-come, first-served.

Mozy Saves The Day – This newsletter almost didn’t make it. A software glitch overwrote/erased it (taking all of my parts with it). We back up on a regular basis, but this happened while I was working on it. Fortunately, I signed up for Mozy.com a couple of months ago. Mozy works in the background, backing up your computer through the internet. I was able to download a backed up version from the day before which had much of my work intact. Very impressive.

Enjoy This Issue!

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Las Vegas Is On Sale!
Get Great Rates At All Hotels:

More Savings At All Vegas Hotels!

Jay-Z To Perform At The Pearl At The Palms With Guests Young Jeezy And Trey Songz – After a stellar 2009, surpassing Elvis as the solo artist with the most #1 albums, scoring a #1 single with the anthemic “Empire State Of Mind” and a list of other accolades and performances, Jay-Z launches his BP3 2010 North American tour which will now conclude with a stop at The Pearl Concert Theater inside Palms Casino Resort on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. Special guests Young Jeezy and Trey Songz join Jay-Z on the tour.

Ring In Chinese New Year 2010 With MGM Mirage – Resorts Set To Offer Festive Cultural Offerings – MGM MIRAGE will celebrate the 2010 Chinese New Year, the Year of the Tiger, with exhilarating lion dance performances, a concert at MGM Grand and authentic cuisine at a variety of resort restaurants. The Tiger, the third animal in the Asian zodiac, is a symbol of competitiveness, natural leadership and self-reliance.

Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant And Wine Bar Raises Funds For Red Cross Aid For Haiti – Las Vegas Renowned Restaurateur and Philanthropist Gino Ferraro is raising funds to be donated to Red Cross for their efforts to aid Haiti. Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar has been serving Las Vegas since 1985. Since, Ferraro’s has been a leader and staple in Italian fine dining and wine selection, quality standard and service.

Offer Your Heart On A (Shoe)String (Budget) – Las Vegas Values Allow Sweethearts To Impress While Saving Cash – This month, the resorts of MGM MIRAGE offer couples a way to add sizzle to their relationship without causing their bank accounts to fizzle. Twosome travelers are invited to indulge in a romantic getaway they’ll cherish for years at savings they’ll value today. Treat your loved one to a tantalizing dinner for two at prices too tempting to resist. Restaurants throughout the resorts of MGM MIRAGE will present enticing Valentine’s menus at incredible values.

Kenny Chesney Returns To The Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas – Kenny Chesney may be taking the year off from one of his giant tours, but Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas has country music’s biggest ticket-seller for four shows in its premiere rock & roll venue The Joint. Easily the most intimate opportunity to see the man who’s won 4 consecutive Academy of Country Music and 4 Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Awards, the Hard Rock has over a third of Chesney’s live appearances in 2010.

The Gilley’s Bull Returns To The Las Vegas Strip – The mechanical bull that had been victorious in numerous battles waged by tourists, locals and bikini-clad riders is back to defend its new home at Treasure Island, when Gilley’s Saloon, Dance Hall and Bar-B-Que opens April 16. Situated next to Siren’s Cove, Gilley’s will have retractable glass for outdoor Strip seating, and will be accessible from inside the casino and via a newly constructed bridge in front of the Siren’s ship.

Las Vegas Deals

These are only a few of the many Easy Vegas Deals we find each and every week (many of which happen too quickly for newsletter deadline). For a complete and constantly updated listing:

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

We were in Vegas Dec 24 – 27, 2009. We stayed at the Imperial Palace & enjoyed the central location. We also saw the Matsuri show here. Great show. We enjoyed the shopping at Miracle Mile Shops & Fashion Show Mall and also the Bellagio Buffet on Christmas Day.

The traffic on the Strip is really bad. We were going to buy a 3 day transit pass but decided against it when we inched along the Strip the 1st night. We decided to walk everywhere instead. Have they considered have a BUS ONLY lane since there are 4 lanes of traffic ?

Angela

Ted Responds:

Keep in mind that the traffic was holiday traffic. I drove down The Strip on the Sunday night after New Years weekend and it never got backed up at all. A dedicated bus lane would unfortunately make The Strip completely not drivable. And yes… ideas have been floated regarding banning cars from The Strip or making it a one-way street.

If in town during a busy time and staying at (or near) a monorail stop, getting a $30 three-day monorail pass is your best bet. For the price of one traffic-plugged cab ride, two people can ride all day. Your vacation time is valuable when you factor in the cost of getting here, staying here, food, entertainment, etc. Spending a few bucks to save time is a no-brainer.

We have visited Las Vegas several times and really enjoy our stays. However, we have never been to the Grand Canyon. We are coming to Vegas this April and would like to do the Gand Canyon bus tour. Could you recommend which tour company to contact as there as so many different ones. Also, is the south rim the best one to visit at the Canyon. Thank you for your help.

J. Berberich from Ontario, Canada

Ted Responds:

Grand Canyon by bus is one very long day. Air costs 3-4 times as much, but only takes 4 hours and you see so much more. If going by bus, check out http://www.accessvegas.com/tours/grand-canyon-west-rim-bus-tour

However, watch the video at http://www.aaavegas.com/fun-and-thrill/grand-canyon… before making your decision.

Thanks for the news letters, they are great. My husband & I have been going to Vegas since 2001. In response to Neil Thompson on his order of Chivas on the rocks… I believe that there is no real alcohol in any drink that you order from the cocktail waitress or at the bar. We here in Canada has an alcohol content on the beer bottle label, down there, there is no such thing, even on the imported brands. The only time I have really felt any “buzz” was drinking Fosters ale or a real expensive glass of wine in Paris. We even had one of those yard long drinks from Harrah’s one year, nothing. Pretty disappointing when you spend so much on a drink. And what’s with the bartender pouring you a drink through a fountain apparatus, appears that he is giving you a cheap mix. I just don’t waste the money anymore. We tend to buy from a liquor store & have a drink of two in our room.

Aside from that, Vegas does offer great restaurants, fun in the sun, places to see like Valley of Fire, Mount Charleston, Red Rock Canyon & a short hop to other things to do & see besides the usual gambling. We love it.

Keep up the great work. Hope to be down there again sometime. You are very lucky that you live in such a beautiful part of the world. We’ll probably drive next time seeing all the hassles at the airports.

Regards,

Marilyn from Alberta, Canada (eh)

Ted Responds:

Beer in Nevada has no alcohol restriction on how high the content can be and is usually around 5% if memory serves me correct. And, shots of a drink are the real thing. If you are sitting at a bar, you can watch them pour it and I’ve always experienced getting the proper taste. IE, if I ordered Crown Royal, no question it was Crown.

True that in mixed drinks, you don’t know what you are getting. Nor do you have any control over how strong the drink a waitress brings is.

Best current drink “deal” in town? Casino Royale always has $1 beer (selected bottled brand) and $3.50 call shots.

You brought up something that has become increasingly popular as casino resort bar liquor prices have gone up: People are having their cabbie stop them at a liquor store (usually the one across from the Hard Rock) and stock up. The gift shop kittyûcorner from the Sahara also has an extensive liquor store attached. Neither of these outlets are really cheap, but compare it to buying drinks at bars and the savings is substantial.

If in a pinch, most of the hotel gift shops sell a basic liquor selection by the bottle. Prices are higher than you may find at home, but you don’t have to cab it somewhere.

Last tip: Beer in the gift shop is usually cheaper than at the bar and you don’t have to tip anyone. However… pack a cheap bottle opener as the gift shop may otherwise try to sell you one.

Couldn’t agree more on your comments on Red Eye flights – we get to spend a whole extra day when we fly Jet Blue and take their 11:50pm flight back to Boston. More money that gets spent in the city too!

I visit Las Vegas 3 – 4 times a year from Cape Cod, MA. My 14 year old daughter and I have a Father/Daughter week long vacation every year over Presidents Day Weekend and for the 4th time in a row she has chosen Las Vegas. I would love to able to take her to a “BIG” show. What would you consider to be an age appropriate show for me to take her to? Something more “glitzy” than the Pet Theatre Show at Planet Hollywood though. Cute but rather lame to put it nicely.

Thanks for putting out such a great tool in promoting Las Vegas. I hope you are recognized by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Bureau as well as the City of Las Vegas for the outstanding job you do in promoting your great city.

Neil Thompson

Ted Responds:

14 is an interesting age because in many ways , she has an adult mind and mentality and Pet Theatre just won’t cut it. Understood. Tournament of Kings has enough flash and action to be very interesting, and a show that is fun to bond over as you cheer for your knight.

Lance Burton… you can’t go wrong for any age. Lion King should not be overlooked. Have her YouTube Terry Fator and see if that is up her alley. Cirque’s O is always spectacular.

The LVCVA (Convention Authority) probably hopes that no one ever finds out about me! They manage to flush the greater part of $230 (2010 budget) million of room tax money down the toilet every year, taking credit in the good times (with no acknowledgment to those like me, let alone the massive marketing efforts by all the hotels or other Vegas travel sites) and shrugging their shoulders in the bad times while they keep burning through the cash. Don’t take my word for it. Check out this article from our local paper: Think tank critical of LVCVA

They even put out a lousy little monthly email newsletter, selling stuff in direct competition with people like me. I’m competing against a government body that is supposed to be helping people like me, and I’m arguably doing a better job of it. My staff budget would barely be considered petty cash to them and yet they don’t come close to disseminating information in the way we do.

I have over 13 years in this business and just about everybody has reached out to work with me in some way or another. The hotels, the shows, the PR agencies, various media outlets (local and national), Vegas writers, bloggers, you name it. Except for the LVCVA. I’ve kept pretty quiet about this until now… but it dawned on me: What do I have to lose by piping up? Exactly the same amount of assistance I’ve been getting from the LVCVA for 13 years: Nothing.

End of rant!

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 13-15 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 14
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • Mardi Gras February 16
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 4
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 9
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 29-31 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 20
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday, Canada July 31-August 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Jewish New Year September 9
  • 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)

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

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All contents copyright 2010 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

February 3, 2010 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Access Vegas Insider Vibe û January 27, 2010

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AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Seasonal Vegas Information
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

We had one more day of rain to get rid of this past week, but we’ll looking at weather in the 60’s F and mostly sunny (pretty much average for this time of year) for the next couple of weeks. Not too shabby compared to the rain and snow blanketing large parts the Northwest and Southeast United States as this goes out. Stay warm and dry. Or… hop a plane our way!

Super And The Saints – If hitting Vegas for the Superbowl, St. Valentines Day or St. Patrick’s Day sounds like fun, check out the event links in the Quick Info Menu (directly above this column). You may wish to check back to each link often as information for Superbowl and Valentines Day pours in almost daily.

Fontainebleau Is Sold – Financier Carl Icon looks like the winning bid for the unfinished Fontainebleau (the big, tall, blue building between The Riviera and Sahara). Before you make plans to attend the gala grand opening, hold your horses. Estimates to finish the nearly 4000 room property start at well over a billion dollars. That simply isn’táeconomically feasible right now. While the shell of the building is done, the floors remain unfinished.

What we’d like to see? Get the casino, restaurants, and bars open. At least space that fronts The Strip. Get some life in the place and a few bucks rolling in. Then as the economy improves, start to build out a few hotel floors at a time from the cash flow. We’ll keep you posted.

Unhappiest State? – A recent poll ranked Nevada the 39’th least happy state in the union. At first, I figured they must have interviewed a known Las Vegas blogger who hates living here (yes, one really exists). But the survey was actually based on “… research suggest(ing) U.S. states with wealthier, better educated and more tolerant residents are also happier on average. The reasoning is that wealthy states can provide infrastructure and so it’s easier for residents to get their needs met. In addition, states with a greater proportion of artists and gays would also be places where residents can freely express themselves.

I found that interesting because Las Vegas’ “live and let live” attitude is pretty gay friendly and the arts scene has been developing the past few years (although no one will mistake us for New York City). The other weird thing? We must have gotten dinged on the education front (most residents have a lower-than-average level of education) and the recession has taken a toll on median income. Hey… I’m happy here no matter what the poll says.

What Will A Dollar Buy? – We get regular emails bemoaning how Las Vegas is so much more expensive than it was 20 and 30 years ago. However… one sometimesáforgets to index things for inflation. This is a TV capture from a 1976 TV show and although fictional, it drove me to look a couple things up. It takes 3.5 times as many dollars to buy the same thing as it did 30 years ago. 1.8 times what it did 20 years ago. So for you long-time visitors remembering the $25 show you saw 30 years ago, keep in mind it is the equivalent of an $80 show today (and many of today’s Las Vegas shows are far more spectacular). Puts it in perspective!

Aladdin Cards Winner – Doug Tao of California was one of 15 people who wrote in with the correct answer to our photo contest (see January 6 issue). He wrote:

The photo is where Binion’s Horseshoe displayed their $1 Million. Binion’s Hotel (now closed) used to be the Mint.

Now, somewhere in my old junk is a deck of cards from the Mint…

Hope I’m right,

Doug Tao

Well Doug, now you have a deck of Aladdin cards to join the Mint cards!

Probably the most interesting entry was this one:

That looks like the area of the Horseshoe (now called Binion’s) where about 40 years ago, I had my picture taken next to a million dollars. I was 17 years old and the picture would not be ready until a day or 2. I made my father take me there to pick up my picture before going to the airport to go home. It’s a good thing we didn’t miss our flight! I still have my picture.

Linda from Bergenfield, NJ

Fighting Cancer? – When you think of the American Cancer Society, you probably think of a group looking for a cure for cancer, and educating the public on how to reduce cancer risk. So why are they suing the state of Nevada? Our smoking ban was amended to allow smoking at tobacco conventions. Normally, convention rooms and ballrooms are non-smoking (due to our smoking ban). The change in the law now allows smoking in an enclosed convention space specifically and only during tobacco retailer shows.

We’re not talking about day care or restaurants or other situations where the smoke can drift into the public realm. The law simply and specifically exempts invite-only conventions of tobacco retailers.

Think of all the donation money being spent on lawyers for this crazy suit. Money that could be used to help continue to find cures and treatment for cancer. Think about that the next time the American Caner Society asks for your donation. With smoking on the rise for the first time in ages (despite smoking bans), perhaps it is time to spend more on youth education and less on lawyers and private bans. Speaking of…

Goodman Bows Out Of Governors Race – After taking the steps needed to run and showing all indications that he would, Mayor Oscar Goodman has announced that he will NOT be running for Governor of Nevada. He cited the laws dictating that the governor must live in Carson City (Nevada’s state capital) and that he doesn’t want a job that would keep him from waking up next to his wife each day. His wife is very involved in Las Vegas business, society, and charities. And… may run for mayor herself. Now, the reality is that the governor can pretty much spend all the time he wants in Las Vegas except during legislative sessions. And technology lets work get done from just about anywhere.

The most likely reason? A few days before his announcement came dire predictions of state revenue shortfalls over the next few years (not to mention the projection of Nevada losing 100,000 residents by 2015). Goodman is no stranger to rolling up his sleeves in politics, but no one is going to come out of this a winner. The legislative battles will be brutal. My suggestion? Upon his retirement, the new mayor and city council should officially bestow him the title Mayor Emeritus with a four-year commission to continue to be an ambassador for the city at events locally and worldwide.

When Do You Like To Visit? – Help us test our new poll software by telling us your favorite time of year to visit Las Vegas! Simply go to AAAVegas.com and look for the poll on the right sidebar. Results will be displayed in real time.

Enjoy This Issue!

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Las Vegas Is On Sale!
Get Great Rates At All Hotels:

Blue Man Group Adds A Spin Of Excitement To A Special Las Vegas-Themed “Wheel of Fortune” – Blue Man Group joins Pat Sajack and Vanna White for a special Las Vegas-themed “Wheel of Fortune” show on Monday, Feb. 8 (check local listings). The one-of-a-kind blue-faced trio will be on hand to entertain the crowd, as well as hosts Sajack and White, giving the audience a look into the exciting and euphoric experience only found at Blue Man Group’s Venetian show.

John Mayer Brings “Battle Studies” Tour To Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, March 27 – Seven-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter/guitar player/producer John Mayer will perform at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, March 27. The concert, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., will feature Mayer along with special guest Michael Franti & Spearhead.

Fiesta Like A Rockstar Under The Sombrero At Tacos And Tequila – T&T Introduces Spicy Weekend Fiesta Friday And Saturday Nights – Friday and Saturday nights at Tacos & Tequila (T&T) just got even hotter with the spiciest party under the sombrero. T&T’s Spicy Weekend Fiesta, hosted by the Sexy Elissa, is a delicious and exciting way to liven up the weekend with irresistible Mexican food, mouth-watering handmade cocktails, and of course, enough tequila shots to go around. For those that are over the “club scene,” but still want some extra pep in their weekend lineup, T&T’s Spicy Weekend Fiesta is on the mark.

Academy of Country Music, Dick Clark Productions & CBS Television Announce The 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards – Hosted By Reba McEntire to Be Broadcast Live From MGM Grand In Las Vegas Sunday, April 18 On CBS – Country Music’s Party of the Year, the 45th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, honoring country music’s top talent and the industry’s hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast live Sunday, April 18 at 8 p.m. live EST/delayed PST on the CBS Television Network inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Academy also will tape an all-star concert special, ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Monday, April 19 which will air at a later date on the CBS Television Network.

Legendary Comedian Don Rickles Returns To Orleans Showroom February 20-21 – The much-honored comedian will launch his 51st consecutive year as a Las Vegas headliner when he brings his one-of-a-kind humor to The Orleans Showroom February 20 and 21, marking his third consecutive year of performances at The Orleans Showroom. Rickles took his first step toward national fame in 1957 when Frank Sinatra wandered into the small Hollywood nightclub where Rickles was performing.

Rousing Musical Review Oh What A Night! Brings The Hits Of Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons To The Suncoast Showroom February 27 and 28 – The extensive hit songbook of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons comes to life in Oh What A Night! at the Suncoast Showroom, February 27 and 28. Oh What A Night!, written and directed by independent Motown producer and creative consultant George Solomon and award-winning producer and director Michael Chapman, is an exciting tribute show that takes audiences on a musical journey through the hits of the famed group that formed in 1960.

Embrace The Romance With S’Mooches, S’Mores And Snuggies At Rhumbar Celebrate With Rhumbar’s Delicious Valentine’s Day Cocktail – Snuggle up with your significant other this Valentine’s Day at RHUMBAR. Beginning Monday, Feb. 1, the stylish cocktail lounge inside The Mirage will introduce its delicious S’mooches and S’mores cocktail, while inviting couples to smooch and snuggle on the intimate patio under the warmth of a Snuggie. Guaranteed to melt your lover’s heart, “S’mooches, S’mores and Snuggies” will be ongoing throughout the month of February. In addition, for those that want to shower their lover with adoration, a promotional package is available for purchase, which includes a RHUMBAR embroidered Snuggie and a signature S’moches and S’mores cocktail for $35.

Former Mobster Frank Cullotta Presents Mob Chronicles At The Stratosphere – One-Time Charity Event To Benefit Opportunity Village – Former Las Vegas mobster and hit man Frank Cullotta will present the Mob Chronicles in the Stratosphere Theater of the Stars on Thursday, February 18th at 7:30 p.m. This one-time charity event will benefit Opportunity Village. After eight years of prison and 20 years of witness protection, Cullotta is going public with his speaking tour, Mob Chronicles, about the history of organized crime and his unique insights into the mob life. Joining him will be various members of law enforcement who worked for years in attempts to indict Cullotta.

Tito Ortiz’s Punishment MMA Store To Celebrate One Year Anniversary At Hooters Casino With Autograph Session – On Friday, February 5th, Tito Ortiz, Jenna Jameson, Punishment Athletic and TapouT will celebrate the one year anniversary of the Punishment MMA Store located in Hooters Hotel & Casino. When you hear the name Tito Ortiz, you may think of the words “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” or you may think of his hip and trendy Punishment MMA clothing store at Hooters Casino Hotel. If you are thinking of the later, you may find it hard to believe that Friday, February 5th marks the One Year Anniversary of OrtizÆs Punishment MMA Store.

Featured Tour û Enjoy Las Vegas!

Las Vegas Bus Of The StarsLas Vegas Double-Decker Bus of the Stars – Hop onboard with your favorite celebrities and tour the world-famous Las Vegas Strip! This one-of-a-kind tour takes place on an original London double-decker bus and every sightseeing show is varied, ensuring a unique experience every time!

Highlights: * Choice of several departures throughout the day * Choice of seating available * Receive discounts at selected restaurants, shops and attractions * Pick-up from a centrally located meeting point

Click To Book Las Vegas Double-Decker
Bus Of The Stars Now!

Las Vegas Deals

These are only a few of the many Easy Vegas Deals we find each and every week (most of which happen too quickly for newsletter deadline). For a complete and constantly updated listing:

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Your newsletter continues to impress, keep it up, your the best.

Got back two weeks ago from my 18th Vegas visit and before I went I planned my daily schedule and I have to pass on recommendations to your readers about off strip casino-hotels. Along the Boulder Strip – Boulder Station & Arizona Charlies’ are wonderful stops and within walking distance of each other. Very friendly laid back places.

Another 20 mins slow walk and Sam’s Town is a total delight, I could’ve spent all day in there with a huge western store “Sheplers” too, but the jewel to me of the ‘Alternate Strip’ has to be The Eastside Cannery. The place looks futuristic in day time and amazing at night with it’s exterior lighting show. Very friendly inside plus loose slots and high quality cheap meal places. I’d rate this a 6 star Vegas resort above the mega resorts (i.e. Bellagio, Venetian etc.) for customer service and friendliness. Easily reached from downtown on the 107 bus route.

Last recommendation is ‘Longhorn Casino’, a true local’s casino with amazing meal-deals too ($4.25 steak and fries) and very loose slots (ended up in profit on the day thanx to Longhorn).

Next visit will probably be October 2010 and the ‘Alternate Strip’ will be my first stop.

Owen from South Shields, England

Ted Responds:

Great suggestions. I used to live out that way and enjoyed visiting all the places you mentioned! Plus… those locals casinos tend to have the best gaming odds year-after-year. You can’t screw the locals and drain their wallets or you lose your customers, and all of those properties in close proximity have to compete for a set local audience.

For the first (and second and third) time visitor, obviously The Strip and downtown have plenty to do and see. However, seeing the “Boulder Strip” combined with visiting Hoover Dam is a great 3/4 day activity (start after brunch) to rent a car for. You can visit Boulder Station, Arizona Charlies East (much newer and nicer than the one on the west side of town), Sam’s Town, Cannery, Lake Las Vegas, take a scenic drive along Lake Mead and end up at Hoover Dam. I’ve Google Mapped it here:

Hint: Returning from Hoover Dam is much, much quicker. Head back toward Las Vegas from Hoover Dam on the highway that crosses Hoover Dam. (Don’t turn back off to the Lake Mead scenic drive). It will eventually turn into a freeway. In Henderson, get on to the Beltway (I-215) headed west until you reach Las Vegas Blvd. (The Strip).

If you want someone else to do the diving, we have a number of great Hoover Dam tours available on our Hoover Dam Tours page.

I live in Las Vegas and love your newsletter. Recently my 13 year old grandson came to visit. We were looking for inexpensive things to do with him, and happened upon the Las Vegas Speedway. Because it was not a race day, we were able to drive right up close and park by the fence right outside the speedway.

We walked over to what is normally the pit area. They were offering ride alongs but because we didn’t want to spend any money, we just watched. It was really fun to watch the race cars go around, and my grandson really liked it. Just thought I’d pass this along.

Thanks,

Marlie

Ted Responds:

You know… I never even thought of that (and I’m a NASCAR fan). I’ll suggest people check ahead to find out the times of day they do the ride alongs, but what a great way to see action at the track without fighting the crowds!

I plan to be in Vegas and we are staying at the Flamingo, but we would like to visit the new M. Which is the best or cheapest way to get there.

Bob Mangan

Ted Responds:

Visiting the M Resort is turning into a popular activity as people find out how really nice the place while maintaining that locals casino friendliness. We covered the free shuttle in our July 24, 2009 issue (second letter in Members Mania section).

Just come back from Vegas had a great time as usual. Stayed in the Excalibur and everyone there was friendly and the food was fab.

Gillian

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Super Bowl Sunday February 7
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 13-15 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 14
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • Mardi Gras February 16
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 4
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 9
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 29-31 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 20
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday, Canada July 31-August 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Jewish New Year September 9
  • 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)

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2010 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

January 27, 2010 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Access Vegas Insider Vibe û January 20, 2010

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Seasonal Vegas Information
  • Superbowl Events
  • Valentine’s Day Events
  • Mardi Gras Events
  • St. Patrick’s Day Events
  • March Madness Events
  • Spring Break Events
  • Cinco de Mayo Events
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

If it seems like it’s been a while since the last issue, it has! We had a scheduled week off the second week of January and this past week foughtáinternet outages that our provider blamed on the rain.

Yes, I said rain. Lots of rain. Pacific Northwest type rain and clouds for the past entire week. These are the same storm systems that have been slamming California and Arizona. The last time I remember this kind of persistent cloudy, rainy weather was about five years ago. This coming week will bring clearing but still unfortunately cool temps topping out only in the mid-to-upper 50’s F.

Barry Manilow Debuts New Album Live From Paris Las Vegas – Manilow has moved from the Las Vegas Hilton and is prepping for his run at Paris Las Vegas. He will be on QVC at 6 PM Pacific January 29 to perform some of his new music. Although the rumored start of his run was for Valentines Day, the actual first performance will be March 5. Click for Barry Manilow In Las Vegas Tickets

Speaking Of Valentines Day – We’ll have news and events about Valentine’s Day 2010 in Las Vegas starting next issue. However… it isn’t that far off. With the incredible low room rates right now, how can you not afford take your special someone here for the special day! Visit our friends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals for great deals and current Las Vegas promotions.

World Renowned Pianist Danny Wright – now has a permanent home at Bar Moderno located inside the new Aria Las Vegas. He tinkles the ivories Wed. – Sun. starting at 7 PM. To find out if he’s your cup of tea, Rhapsody users can check him out at http://www.rhapsody.com/danny-wright

Wrapping Your Mind Around CityCenter – Chances are you’ll be checking out CityCenter on your next visit so you can see what $8.5 billion buys these days. The L.A. Times did a nice interactive graphical presentation that should help you get a feel for how CityCenter is set up: Interactive graphic: A new center in the city

Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport – saw traffic fall nearly 9% in 2009. Much of this was due to capacity cuts by US Air (Airways… whatever). For the better part of two decades, America West Airlines used Las Vegas as a key hub. But as the merger with US Air was integrated, the redundancy of having hubs in both Phoenix and Las Vegas combined with US Air being less aggressive than America West with pricing has led to the cutting of Las Vegas as a hub.

For many years, American West ran a strong “third shift” operation at McCarran with hordes of planes landing around 11 PM for midnight red-eye flights to points around the nation. Generally speaking, the more hours per day an airline can keep an aircraft in the air, the more it can make against the fixed costs of owning or leasing the plane. However, the softer tourism demand of the past couple of years stopped making many of red-eyes feasible.

I’d love to see them return. Nothing beat parking myself at the airport viewing area about 11 PM on a hot summer night and watching continual landings and departures. And for many of you, nothing beat maximizing your time in Las Vegas by staying the entire final day of your trip before catching an overnight flight home.

A Great Place To Live If – For well over a year, I’ve been noting that Southern Nevada is a great place to move if one is financially stable (won’t need to look for work here), including for retirees. Housing prices are at historic lows and all projections maintain low Las Vegas home prices throughout all of 2010.

Economic analysts are now jumping on that bandwagon, noting that seniors bring disposable retirement income while not consuming high-cost government services like schools. These analysts are suggesting that money be spent to market Las Vegas as a retirement location.

In related news, Las Vegas is looking at zero job growth in 2010 and recent reports predict around 100,000 people leaving Nevada in the next 5 years. Is the contractionáa bad thing? Not necessarily. Las Vegas grew WAY too fast, and a few years of stabilization will be good in the long term.

Las Vegas Growth Video – Sometimes it is difficult to comprehend how fast and huge Las Vegas grew in a mere 25 years. Check out the following short video: Growth In Las Vegas 1984 to 2009

But The Good News For You Is – Deals, deals and more deals! Hotels are fighting each other to out-offer bonuses for staying with them. Starting this issue, we’ll be listing a number of those bonus offers each week.

Enjoy This Issue!

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Las Vegas Is On Sale!
Get Great Rates At All Hotels:

Jon Stewart To Perform At The Mirage February 5 And 6 – Television star and stand-up comic Jon Stewart, brings his award-winning talent to The Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage Friday, Feb. 5 and Saturday, Feb. 6 at 10 p.m. Jon Stewart is considered one of America’s top social and comedic voices. Over the past 10 years, Stewart has redefined political satire in American culture from his perch atop the anchor chair on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” To date, Stewart and “The Daily Show” have received 28 Emmy Award nominations and won 13.

Bellagio Fountains from Fontana Lounge

Bellagio Introduces Las Vegas’ Most Stunning Sunday Brunch Experience – Fountains Brunch at Jasmine Delights Senses by Pairing Delectable Gourmet Dishes with Breathtaking Visual of Resort’s Iconic Dancing Waters. For the first time in the AAA Five Diamond resort’s history, guests of Bellagio are invited to partake in an unrivaled brunch experience, featuring a bevy of gourmet and traditional cuisine, while enjoying sweeping views of Bellagio’s lake and world-renowned fountains. Fountains Brunch at Jasmine now redefines Sunday brunch in Las Vegas.

United Way’s Annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon Features Keynote Speaker Marie Osmond – United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council hosts its second annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon at Paris Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. and welcomes celebrity keynote speaker – and renowned philanthropist – Marie Osmond. The exclusive event also honors three outstanding women leaders in United Way’s focus areas of education, health and financial stability. Serving as the event’s keynote speaker, internationally-recognized celebrity and local headliner Marie Osmond will discuss her own charitable work and the inspiring stories she’s helped to create along the way. Osmond is the co-founder of the Children’s Miracle Network, which has helped more than 17 million kids obtain quality healthcare. She also serves as the spokeswoman for the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign.

The Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino To Add World’s Highest “Skyjump” To Their Collection Of Thrills – The Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino today announced the addition of their next big thrill – SkyJump Las Vegas. What will undoubtedly become one of the top tourist attractions in North America, the skyjump is best described as a “controlled freefall.” Lucky adrenaline junkies and average Joes alike, will have the opportunity to plummet 855 feet at a scream-inducing speed of up to 40 mph – all while enjoying breathtaking views of the world famous Las Vegas Strip…if they can bear to keep their eyes open.

Featured Tour – Enjoy Las Vegas!

Hoover Dam Tour Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour – This is the “Best of the Best” Hoover Dam Tour! Your professional tour guides will educate and entertain you on all aspects of Hoover Dam in an informative and interesting way, allowing you to enjoy every moment of your visit. Not only will you join the Government’s Power Plant Tour and Visitor Center Tour, the Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour is one of the only excursions from Las Vegas to offer an exclusive 45-minute Walk On The Top tour. Highlights: * Informative, friendly and professional guide * All entrance fees included * Lunch included

Click For More Details And Book
The Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I just got back from Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago, why do they have all those people down by Paris handing out those cards of the girls? You try to ignore them and they snap them in your face. Very scary for two senior citizens. That spoiled our other wise nice vacation.

Lorraine

Ted Responds:

With the help of the ACLU, what they do (handing out the “girls to your room” cards) has been determined “protected” as free speech.

Just ignore them. They can’t make any contact with you or touch you in any way (or it could be construed as misdemeanor battery) so I just continue on my way and stay my course. Others choose just to move to the other side of the sidewalk.

They are clustered together in certain areas of The Strip because laws were able to be made restricting the zones people can hand out solicitations in.

Was in Vegas over Thanksgiving. We read comments positive and negative about the Rio. Our stay was excellent. Our flight was early and we were allowed to check in @ 10:00 am. When we got to our room we had a problem with our safe. Help arrived in 10 minutes.

Our suite was very clean.The shuttle to the strip was great and on time. The only problem was on Friday the 27th around midnight. There was a shooting at Caesars and the strip was shut down.

We saw 4 great shows. David Copperfield, Carrot top, Love and Le Reve. Carrot Top was a great surprise. We are looking forward to returning in the spring for”Dinner in the Sky” which was canceled for the winter.

We have stayed at most of Harrah’s hotels.Flamingo, Caesars, Bally’s,and Rio.The only thing that I noticed that more and more kids are in the casinos. This was in almost every casino we went to. Wynn, MGM, Luxor not just our hotel. Thanks for your newsletters, they are great. Sorry for your loss.

Jerry Mclaughlin

Ted Responds:

Thanks for the condolences. Has been a tough few weeks.

You are going to get lots of kids over Thanksgiving weekend. Over the past few years, far-flung families have made it more and more of a tradition for everybody to meet up in Las Vegas. Everybody can get together for a Thanksgiving dinner at just about any restaurant ranging from buffets to fine dining.

The most common thing we hear about Carrot Top (and I agree) is that people didn’t think he would be that great, and they ended up loving the show. He is really, really funny and full of energy. His success here is not a fluke.

Dinner In The Sky returns March 19 of this year! It is a little pricey but an experience you’ll never forget. People can book it now: Las Vegas Dinner In The Sky

I just got back from Vegas and realized something. The job market is tough and competition for business is high. Why don’t the casinos do a better job of hiring dealers that speak well and that are very friendly?? We went up to play at some of the tables and a word was never spoken by the dealers! It happened at several different casinos.

Don’t the casinos realize that if you increase your customer service you will get more people coming in the door to your casino, there are many to pick from. Heck, the Walmart greeters are more friendly than most dealers. If they were required to learn everyones name and where they were from it would open up some dialog. And if the dealers were nice and smiled that may be a plus too!

P.S. If the dealers were more friendly don’t they realize they would make more money from tips!

Gary Nawrocki

Ted Responds:

Funny this should come up because I recently saw a craps table where the dealer was so unfriendly and gruff that a couple of guys with hundreds of dollars of chips each in front of them literally scooped them up and went to the cage.

Here is what is happening (and yes, the dealers and others service industry workers are shooting themselves in the foot):

For decades, those living and working in Las Vegas knew it was all about the customer. Take care of the customer, the money will follow. People moving here and looking to get into casino work understood that it was the SERVICE industry.

As Las Vegas started to boom, word got out that Las Vegas was a great place to make good money doing marginally skilled labor. Instead of moving here for the weather or the libertarian live-and-let-live atmosphere, it was for the buck. And… the money was good through the boom. People got spoiled and started expecting it.

Now, the gravy train is over and the service workers are mad that you aren’t spending like you used to. So instead of trying harder and really working to earn those tips (like they used to), now they just mope. When in reality, they should be thankful they have a job right now!

What can you do? Don’t be bashful about withholding tips (when appropriate) or tipping low for lousy service. You don’t own anyone your hard-earned cash unless they in return earn it. Also, if you really encounter a bad-attitude employee or simply terrible service, don’t be scared to pull a pit boss or manager (whatever applies to the situation) aside and politely mention it.

I’m probably not making very many friends in the service industry with these comments, but guess what guys: Tips are earned.

Just got back from another fantastic trip. We go about twice a year. We stayed at the Sahara and to be honest I was a little worried after all the reports I was hearing but my worries were unfounded. The rooms were fabulous, the entire staff friendly and professional, and we actually won a little bit of money.

The Riviera on the other had was a complete disappointment, they should change the name of that place to the Morgue. There was no one there gambling and we went on two separate occasions, and to top it off after a couple hours of play nothing to show for it.

Thank you for putting out a wonderful newsletter, keep up the good work.

Gary & Crystal from Colorado

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!
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More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Super Bowl Sunday February 7
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 13-15 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 14
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • Mardi Gras February 16
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 4
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 9
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 29-31 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 20
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday, Canada July 31-August 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Jewish New Year September 9
  • 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)

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2010 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

January 20, 2010 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – January 6, 2010

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Seasonal Vegas Information
  • Superbowl Events
  • Valentine’s Day Events
  • Mardi Gras Events
  • St. Patrick’s Day Events
  • March Madness Events
  • Spring Break Events
  • Cinco de Mayo Events
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

If you were not in Las Vegas the past week, bummer for you as our part of the country was one of the few that escaped the bitter cold that extended all the way down into Florida. We’re looking at plenty of sun and highs right at the 60 degree (F) mark the next 10 days or so. If you need to thaw out, a spur-of-the-moment Vegas trip is in order! As always, visit our friends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals for really great hotel rates.

New Years Eve Was HUGE – No recession in sight as 315,000 people flocked to Las Vegas to welcome the new decade. The fireworks were shot off from seven hotel roofs giving just about everyone who braved the cold (upper 30’s, roughly 10 degrees colder than normal) on the Las Vegas Strip. Every hotel and nightclub had numerous indoor parties for the less hardy who enjoyed watching the fireworks on high-def big screens.

New York can have their boring ball drop where the crowds were searched, no bags allowed, no booze allowed and people just about froze to death waiting for an anti-climatic one-minute countdown. The only reason we have not far surpassed them as North America’s #1 New Years destination is that by the time our party is in full swing, much of the U.S. is already asleep due to the time zone differences and never gets to see it live on TV.

Don’t take my word for it. Many of you probably watched that ball drop (hope it didn’t get you blood pressure up too much… yawn). Check out the first link in this story list and watch the full 7 1/2 minutes of what Vegas did to ring in 2010:

Planet Harrahswood Is Close – All seems to be in place for the Harrah’s (corporation) buyout of enough Plant Hollywood debt to take over the place. Many have mixed feelings on this one. Some really like Harrah’s properties. Others are lamenting the loss of what is considered an “indie” property that really tried harder with good gaming value and solid customer service.

My prediction? The new Tropicana (currently undergoing extensive remodeling to a South Beach theme) is poised to become the new Plant Hollywood. The upgrades and re-theming will make the once-aging property very attractive and hip. The “old-school” executives and management who have left other properties to go to The Tropicana will likely bring back some of the more traditional good gaming odds and customer service that some see as currently lacking.

Speaking Of… Look What I Found! – Down in the bottom of a box from my move almost a year ago, I found a deck of playing cards from The Aladdin (the hotel that became Planet Hollywood). These were used in actual play, have been sealed every since, and are now obviously a collectors item.

Guess what? I’m giving them away. But… I’m making you work for them. You need to tell me two things about the following picture:

The location in the above picture used to be the exact spot of a world famous Las Vegas exhibit seen by hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) over many decades. 1. What hotel is this? 2. What exhibit used to occupy this spot? Send an email with the word Aladdin in the subject line to allvegastv@aol.com and the answer to both questions. On January 20’th, 2010 we’ll pick a random winner for those answering both questions correctly.

Holidays In Las Vegas – Just about every year prior to Thanksgiving, I note that more and more extended families decide to come together and meet in Las Vegas. While not originally the case in decades past, Thanksgiving and Christmas (when it falls on or near a weekend) are now two more popular times of year here. 2009 was no exception as business was brisk on both holidays!

We are always searching for Vegas comments on blogs to gauge the pulse of how the world sees us. I recently saw a number of posts saying (to paraphrase): Vegas must be dying. We were there the week before Christmas and it was dead. DUH! These people obviously were not here on Thanksgiving, Christmas or especially New Years Eve. In fact…

Hint for December 2010 – The week before Christmas has always been the slowest time of the year. If you want the cheapest room rates, least amount of crowds, and virtually no lines, visit 7-10 days before Christmas (and especially on weekdays). My advice? This coming year, get your holiday shopping done early then reward yourself with a pre-Christmas trip to Las Vegas!

Nevada Unemployment Drops – While this may look like a good sign for the state, I borrow from the famed broadcaster Paul Harvey and note that you need to hear “the rest of the story”. For about the first time in 100 years, Nevada’s population dropped almost 30,000 people from 2008 – 2009. People are simply “getting out of Dodge” which has helped employment pressures.

To those thinking of moving here, I continue to give this advice: Only move to Las Vegas if you are independently wealthy or have a very stable job that allows you to live just about anywhere you have an internet connection and can get to an airport. If you fall into those categories, Las Vegas housing prices are very attractive. If you don’t fall into the above categories, just keep enjoying the historic low hotel rates and dining values on your visits. (Hint: Find them by following our EasyVegasDeals.com blog). There has never been a better time to stretch your dollar in Las Vegas!

You Too Can Jump Off The Stratosphere Tower – This is breaking news so we’ll have full info next issue. The Stratosphere is going to give peopleáthe opportunity to plummet 855 feet off the side of the tower. The “ride” will be called SkyJump. Stay tuned next issue for full details and a photo.

Welcome To 2010 – Can you believe that this coming May will mark 11 years I’ve been publishing this newsletter? It started out as Las Vegas’ very first blog (way before the term was coined). Look where we are today. I wish you and yours a far better 2010 than 2009, and know that your 2010 trip(s) to Las Vegas will be some of the highlights of your year. We’ll do everything we can to help that happen.

Enjoy This Issue!

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Las Vegas Is On Sale!
Get Great Rates At All Hotels:

Bally’s from $39, El Cortez from $40, Fitzgeralds from $23, Hooters from $24, Orleans from $33, Riviera from $29, Sahara from $27, Stratosphere from $26, Tropicana from $28, Tuscany from $25, More Savings At All Vegas Hotels!

Disney’s The Lion King Shatters Its Own Box Office Record At Mandalay Bay Theater In Las Vegas – Disney’s landmark musical event, THE LION KING, has broken its own Mandalay Bay Theater box office record with a gross of $1,314,161 during the eight-performance week of December 21-27, 2009. The previous Mandalay Bay Theater record held by THE LION KING was a gross of $1,200,128 (set week ending July 26, 2009). For Las Vegas, Disney hand-selected an international cast of performers who have won acclaim in productions of THE LION KING across the globe, including Broadway, Taipei, South Africa, London, Los Angeles, Australia, Toronto, Shanghai, Paris and Holland.

World’s Largest Helium Balloon On THE Las Vegas Strip – Cloud Nine offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the famed Las Vegas skyline from nearly 500 feet in the air. The balloon is tethered to the ground and can quietly/safely elevate up to 30 passengers at a time. Ticket prices start at $17.50 for children and $22.50 for adults.Tickets are available for purchase at the location. Directly across from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Cloud Nine, the world’s largest land-tethered, helium-filled balloon and is open to the public.

Devi Kroell Now Open At The Forum Shops – Borrowing from the aesthetic traditions of iconic Viennese artistsùfrom Gustav KlimtÆs rich, saturated palette to Adolf LoosÆ streamlined structuresùAustria-born , New York-based Devi Kroell debuted her eponymous collection in Spring 2004. First focusing on understated, sculptural handbags rendered in exotic materials, Kroell expanded into footwear in Fall 2006, and unveiled her first ready-to-wear collection for Spring 2009.

Mandarin Oriental Grand Opening Gala – Taiko drummers rhythmically set the pulse as guests filed in to the richly decorated morning ceremony, hosted on the hotel port-cochere. Speeches included comments by Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Jim Murren, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, MGM MIRAGE, William Grounds, President and Chief Operating Officer of Infinity World Development Corp., Congressman Dean Heller and General Manager Rajesh Jhingon. Guest proceeded to the hotel’s 23rd Floor Sky Lobby for a champagne reception and preview tours.

The Gallery To Present ‘Chihuly At CityCenter’ – Dramatic Exhibition Venue To Feature Stunning Chihuly Collection Upon December Debut – Chihuly at CityCenter debuts a dynamic exhibition space located within Crystals at CityCenter in Las Vegas. Spanning 4,350 square feet, the compelling presentation features a diverse representation of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly’s sculptures, drawings, editions and prints. Recognized for his masterful use of color, fluid forms and large-scale glass installations, Chihuly’s CityCenter exhibitionáhighlights a number of his important works.

MMA Retail Stores Debut At Mandalay Bay and Luxor – Fans of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) can punch-up their wardrobes at two new retail stores dedicated to this increasingly popular sport û Fight Museum within Mandalay Bay and LX Fight Shop at Luxor.

  • Mandalay Bay – Fight Museum features trendy, MMA-associated clothing brands such as Xtreme Couture, TapouT, Silver Star Clothing and Hitman Fight Gear. Collector’s items such as signed memorabilia and clothing worn by well-known fighters can be purchased as well. Location: Near main lobby
  • Luxor – LX Fight Shop also sells fashionable MMA-related attire as well as books, DVDs and a wide range of energy drinks, diet supplements and other sundries associated with this intense action sport. Location: Atrium Level

Rick Faugno Reprises Acclaimed, One-Man Song And Dance Show At South Point Casino Showroom January 24 – Rick Faugno, one of the Strip’s popular Broadway imports who currently stars as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” will reprise his critically-acclaimed, one-man song and dance show and release his first CD, “Songs My Idols Sang (And Danced!)” on Sunday, Jan. 24, at 3 p.m. in the 400-seat South Point Casino Showroom. The triple-threat Faugno, with his professional dancing, singing and acting talents, premiered his solo show last August and sold out two performances in 48 hours. “I’m especially excited about my first CD and re-creating the magic that I was able to capture on stage with my musical director Keith Thompson, my band and in the recording studio,” said Faugno. “And I’m thrilled about sharing some of my favorite music from the Great American songbook, as well as presenting it in a new light.”

Las Vegas Deals

These are only a few of the many Easy Vegas Deals we find each and every week (many of which happen too quickly for newsletter deadline). For a complete and constantly updated listing:

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Why don’t you run a commentary about the outrageous car rental prices now being charged at the airport? Also what drew people to Vegas was the cheap food and cheap Hotel rooms 10-20 years ago. Maybe the hotel owners should get together and go back to their roots and roll back prices to bring affordability back into focus for the average Joe.

Perry

Ted Responds:

We were vocally against the rental car tax increases last year (to fund a performing arts center). We also noted just a few weeks ago that you can rent a car at a number of hotels on The Strip and avoid the very high airport rental tax. Use a shuttle to get to your hotel, then rent a car only for the time/days you need it.

Hint: When you go to respective car rental websites, ignore the searches that include major airports. Instead, search by zip code. 89119 if you are staying south of Flamingo Blvd. (on the Strip), 89119 if north of Flamingo, 89101 if staying downtown.

I agree that you should not need to pay outrageous airport rental car taxes when alternatives are available. Cities don’t understand the bad taste high rental car taxes leave on a visitor. You get somewhere and have rented a car for $50 a day only to find out the fee (after taxes) is nearly double. And… that is your very first impression of a place after stepping off the airplane!

Hertz has a booth at many of the major resort casinos. Also, Enterprise will “pick you up” so you may want to look into them as well.

As we’ve been discussing over the past few months, the economy has forced properties to start to make changes. For example, Harrah’s (corporation) has just stopped charging resort fees, meaning no hidden surprise when you check in or check out. For gambling, walk your business downtown where the table game rules tend to be better for the player, the food cheaper, and the machines seem to be looser.

My partner and myself are coming for the first time to Vegas around the 25th of June 2010 for 7 nights and would like to know what show stars are appearing at Vegas at that time. Can you give me some help and what site to book tickets? Your help would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Steve Easthope

Ted Responds:

In every newsletter on the right hand sidebar, we list all coming concerts that are booked at any given time. By clicking on any of the concert and artist links here in the newsletter, you can buy tickets.

You can also go to http://entertainment.accessvegas.com and check your dates and see what is available.

The best way to stay up-to-date info on all coming happenings, what’s new in Las Vegas, and other information you need is to simply stay subscribed!

I have a suggestion for David from Canada regarding cash (ATM’s and similar). I also don’t like to carry too much cash so I opened a “line of credit” at one of the casinos. I am now able to cash a check without being charged a fee. Usually I carry only two checks with me with the amount in my checking account “set” so I can’t get carried away. Asking for a “marker” and then settling up at the end of the trip is also an option. But, you MUST be disciplined so you don’t gamble away your house:-)

Diane Podemski

Ted Responds:

Good suggestion, although you are correct: Many might perhaps feel an obligation (or temptation) to gamble more than they otherwise would. Which is the reason casinos give you a line of credit in the first place!

Just returned from Vegas, staying at the Hilton. Great hotel! Visited the Palazzo and while playing a slot machine ordered a Chivas on the rocks. The drink arrived but it sure wasn’t Chivas. I had a couple of sips and then left the drink. Why should the Palazzo receive so many diamonds when they serve a cheap replacement for Chivas? My first and last visit to the Palazzo has just happened.

Neil Thompson

Ted Responds:

Interesting note. Chivas has a very definitive taste so no question you’d know if you were getting it or not.

I’ve heard rumblings that some properties pour generic booze even if you ask for something specific (sometimes depending on what level you are playing at). I know that I’ve called for Jack/rocks and what I got wasn’t Jack Daniels, which has a specific, recognizable taste as well. Be interesting to see if we get any other stories about this or if Venetian responds.

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 16-18 (3 day weekend)
  • Super Bowl Sunday February 7
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 13-15 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 14
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • Mardi Gras February 16
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 4
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 9
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 29-31 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 20
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday, Canada July 31-August 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Jewish New Year September 9
  • 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)

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2009 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

January 6, 2010 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Access Vegas Insider Vibe û December 30, 2009

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Seasonal Vegas Information
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! We often don’t put out an issue right at the end of the year, but I wanted to personally wish each and every one of you an amazing 2010 and thank you for reading. Next issue, I’ll delve in to my thoughts on Las Vegas in the coming year and we’ll have coverage of the 300,000+ people who are in town right this very minute getting ready to enjoy the countdown!

In this issue, we’ll get some news updates, information about what has been happening at AccessVegas.com, plus I want to link you to some of the more interesting Las Vegas stuff I’ve found on the web.

Tours, Tours, Tours And More Tours! – Amy has been very hard at work adding just about every conceivable type of are tour to our tours section. Grand Canyon? Check. Skydiving? Check. Horseback rides? Las Vegas Strip? Check. Hoover Dam, Valley Of Fire, Red Rock, Mt. Charleston, Lake Mead and other parks? Check.

Our pick? Maverick Helicopters Tour of the Grand Canyon that actually lands you IN the bottom of the canyon. Are you kidding me? That is amazing! Plus, you get to see Hoover Dam on the way out, then an air tour down the entire Las Vegas Strip on your return. All on the same tour!

Don’t take my word for it. Settle back for a stunning 10 minute video preview of this great tour. Even if your next visit isn’t on the horizon for a while, you’ll want to enjoy watching this one. Click for Maverick Helicopter Tour of Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, and the Las Vegas Strip Video

Looking for something different? We now have hundreds of tours available to suite every interest:

AccessVegas.com Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and Southwest United States Tours

Suzanne Somers Live In Las Vegas – I found this 7 minute clip on YouTube. I’m guessing from the early 1980’s after she bailed Three’s Company. Long before Cher, Celine, or Bette, Suzanne Somers was the queen of the Las Vegas Strip. Click to watch Suzanne Somers (Live In Vegas)

James Bond Diamond Are Forever Filmed In Las Vegas – If you want to go back even a little bit further in time, many forget that James Bond’s ‘Diamond Are Forever’ was filmed extensively in Las Vegas (and parts of the surrounding desert).áIncluding significant scenes inside Circus Circus (which surprisingly has not changed that much). However, Fremont Street downtown has changed quite a bit! Well worth Netflixing if you have an account. Click to watch James Bond Diamonds Are Forever 1971 Trailer Filmed In Las Vegas

Las Vegas Dining Listings – Did you know that we have an extensive Las Vegas Dining Page featuring listings by hotel, cuisine and area (Strip, Downtown, etc.)? And, did you know that we’ve partnered with Open Table so that you can book most of these restaurants online and ahead of time? We know that you like to plan your trip ahead getting show tickets and arranging activities. After all, the early bird gets the worm (or the best seats and dining times).

Now, you can plan that special meal in advance and lock up your reservation before arriving in Las Vegas. Check out our Las Vegas Restaurants and Dining Section.

Don’t Forget The Pictures – We have hundreds of Las Vegas photo sets containing thousands and thousands of Las Vegas photos. Mark has re-organized them to make every photo set easy to get to and enjoy. Click to visit our new Las Vegas Photo Gallery

Enjoy This Issue!

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Las Vegas Is On Sale!
Get Great Rates At All Hotels:

Bally’s from $39, El Cortez from $33, Fitzgeralds from $21, Hooters from $20, Orleans from $24, Riviera from $27, Sahara from $22, Stratosphere from $25, Tropicana from $28, Tuscany from $20, More Savings At All Vegas Hotels!

Bette Midler The Showgirl Must Go On FINAL DATES – Performance Schedule: Dec. 30, 31 Jan. 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31 — Show Time: 7:30 p.m. — Dark Days (No Show): Monday, Thursday, and Friday — Click For Bette Midler Final Las Vegas Show Tickets

Le Reve At Wynn Las Vegas Celebrates 2,000 Performances – Wynn Las Vegas breathtaking show, Le Reve,ácelebrated its 2,000’th performance on Friday, November 27, 2009 at 7 p.m. The show opened concurrently with Wynn Las Vegas on April 28, 2005 and has since astounded audiences.

Interesting Facts: More than 250 cast and crew work on Le Reve each day. Thirty-two performers and 58 production staff have been with the show since the very beginning. In all 2,000 performances, 1,200,000 towels have been used, more than 12,800 pairs of red tango shoes have been repaired and some 104,000 loads of laundry have been done ù just a portion of the work involved in keeping a show like Le Reve running 2,000 performances strong.

Le Reve redefines the traditional theatrical experience with an evocative aqua spectacle in-the-round. The show features an ambitious blend of aerial acrobatics, provocative choreography, powerful performances and elaborate effects. Click for Le ReveáAt Wynn Las Vegas Tickets

Monte CarloÆs Street of Dreams now offers the following venues:

  • Art of Music – Known as the largest distributor of certifiably authentic music memorabilia in the U.S., Art of Music features a large collection of celebrity artwork, fine art and collectibles. Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. û 11 p.m.
  • Harley-Davidson – The freedom and passion of the Harley-Davidson lifestyle is celebrated in this name brand store. The motorcycle companyÆs instantly recognizable logo adorns clothing, accessories, souvenirs and collectibles.
  • Marshall Rousso – Marshall Rousso offers discriminating women stylish fashions for any occasion. Patrons will find casual and formal attire by such noted brands as Juicy Couture, BCBG, Betsey Johnson and more. Footwear and accessories also are available for purchase.
  • The Big Chill – This full-service walk-up bar provides a mix of modern libations and classic cocktails. Frozen specialty drinks include such tasty selections as Strawberry Daiquiri, Tropical Mojito and Pina Colada. A wide array of bottled and draft beer also is on tap.
  • The Cupcakery – Tasty cupcake treats are baked fresh daily from only the finest ingredients. More than 16 signature flavors include such delectable choices as Strawberry Shortcake and Oh, My Gosh û Ganache!

World Series Of Beer Pong At Flamingo January 1-4 – More than 900 fierce competitors will come together at Flamingo Las Vegas for the opportunity to vie for $50,000 and the title of ôWorld Series of Beer Pong Champö (WSOBP). Beer Pong, widely known as ôBeirut,ö was born in frat houses and college basements across the country, but has since grown into a world-wide phenomenon. The four-day tournament guarantees that all competitors will play a minimum of twelve games with the champions earning $50,000.

Best place to play beer pong on the Las Vegas Strip? O’Sheas (next to The Flamingo).

Luxor Opens New Spa and Salon – Nurture Spa and Salon. Providing everything from skillful cuts and styles, to image-transforming color and highlights to make-up services, the salon also features a complete nail care menu. For bridesûto-be, special Bridal and Ultimate Bridal Packages make preparing for the big day easy. Nurture Spa and Salon at Luxor is open daily to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information or to book an appointment, call (702) 730-5720.

Devi Kroell Now Open At The Forum Shops – This is the New York designer’s first and only store outside of New York City. Check out the fantastic and exotic handbags and accessories.

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 16-18 (3 day weekend)
  • Super Bowl Sunday February 7
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 13-15 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 14
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • Mardi Gras February 16
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 4
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 9
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 29-31 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 20
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday, Canada July 31-August 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Jewish New Year September 9
  • 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

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

Access Vegas Insider Vibe û December 23, 2009

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Seasonal Vegas Information
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

The “winds of change” are blowing into Las Vegas literally as we get ready to turn 2009 into 2010. Those of you who watched the Las Vegas Bowl saw conditions so windy that one of the field goal nets was blown into the goalposts and the overhead camera (the one that runs on wires above the entire field) had to be taken down for saftey reasons. From time-to-time, we do get the reminder that we live in the middle of a desert!

We’re crossing our fingers for NO wind on New Years Eve so that the world-famous fireworks can go off without a hitch. Might be a little chilly New Years Eve with an overnight low of 32 degrees (F), probable temp of around 38 degrees at midnight. Granted… that is the 10 day forecast and with any luck, we’ll be a bit warmer. Temps at midnight have traditionally been in the low-to-mid 40’s when the fireworks bring in the new year. So… bundle up or check the sidebar of our newsletter and get a ticket to one of the hot indoor parties!

Bellagio Conservatory Christmas Display – As has been our Christmas tradition for many years now, we present to you photos from the always amazing holiday display at the Bellagio Gardens. You have an added incentive to view it this year if in town the next three weeks: It is on your way from the Bellagio casino to the CityCenter tram.

Christmas Las Vegas Bellagio Gardens

Christmas Las Vegas Bellagio Gardens

Christmas Las Vegas Bellagio Gardens

Click To View Entire
Bellagio Gardens Holiday Display Photo Set

Hint: Once you go to the individual photo pages, you can click on the Full View link, which will then bring up the full screen version that you can save to your computer or right-click on to use as your holiday computer wallpaper.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from AccessVegas.com!

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Las Vegas Is On Sale!
Get Great Rates At All Hotels:

Bally’s from $39, El Cortez from $26, Fitzgeralds from $21, Hooters from $20, Orleans from $24, Riviera from $29, Sahara from $22, Stratosphere from $28, Tropicana from $28, Tuscany from $20, More Savings At All Vegas Hotels!

Special Offer: Guests who stay at El Cortez and pay for two consecutive nights in January will receive a complimentary two night stay in April.

Carrie Underwood Brings ‘Play On Tour’ To Orleans Arena May 22 – One of country music’s most prolific and versatile power vocalists, Carrie Underwood, announced her new headline “Play On Tour” and a stop at the Orleans Arena May 22 with tickets for all shows going on sale next Friday, December 18. Underwood’s new headline tour kicks off March 11, 2010 with special guests Craig Morgan and Sons of Sylvia. “I am getting so excited about next year as we are currently working through all the big plans for the tour,” says Underwood. “I cannot wait to perform new music and see familiar faces across the U.S. and Canada!”

Sweet Surrender Cupcake Shop Now Open At The Palazzo Las Vegas Please Bow, Cupcake Royalty Has Arrived! – Cupcakes, cookies, lollipops, toffee, licorice, hard candies and dipped treats, oh my! The Palazzo Las Vegas cupcake and candy store, Sweet Surrender, brings together remarkable pastry chefs and the finest ingredients to create irresistibly indulgent treats.

Aria Resort & Casino Opens Forever Changing The Las Vegas Strip – Grand Opening Day And Gala Party Highlighted By Rooftop Fireworks Finale – Under a canopy of fireworks illuminating the night sky, ARIA Resort & Casino opened its doors and welcomed its first guests. Located at the heart of CityCenter, ARIA is the centerpiece of this extraordinary urban resort destination. Its debut signifies the official grand opening of this city-within-a-city, following two weeks of celebrations for the reveals of Vdara Hotel & Spa, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Crystals retail and entertainment district.

M Resort Lights Nations Tallest Christmas Tree – Our White Fir came on the largest allowable flatbed truck, a 900-mile journey from Oregon and on Saturday it “came alive” with thousands of lights. M Resort Spa Casino Chairman and CEO Anthony A. Marnell III and his children flipped the switch to lit the tree. More than 3,000 people came out to our piazza. Hot chocolate, sugar cookies, warm cider, candy canes put smiles on faces. The lighting was hosted by KSNE 106.5’s Melanie and Michael and a special thanks to Cannon Junior High School, Las Vegas Academy Advanced Women’s Choir, Dance Zone and Phat Strad.

A Classic Taste Of Motown, The Temptations Return To The Orleans Showroom January 22-24 – For more than 40 years, The Temptations have shined as pioneers of popular music with decades of smash hits and sold-out performances. Otis Williams, Bruce Williamson, Terry Weeks, Ron Tyson and Joe Herndon bring classic Motown back to The Orleans Showroom January 22, 23 and 24 starting at 8 p.m. each evening. The Temptations are central characters in the history of contemporary American pop. An essential component of the original Motown machine invented by Berry Gordy, The Temptations began their musical career in Detroit in the early ’60s.

The 2nd Annual Tribute Palooza To Rock – Fremont Street Experience For New Year’s 2010 Weekend – Las Vegas’ famed Fremont Street Experience is ready for a rockin’ New Year’s 2010 Weekend celebration with its 2nd Annual TributePalooza. The spectacular New Year’s Eve includes live concerts by eight of the world’s best tribute bands, a 2009 year-in-review show on the Viva Vision screen, followed by a countdown to midnight.

Famous Faces Wish Las Vegas A Happy Holiday Season On Miracle Mile ShopsÆ Strip-Side LED Screens – Some of the cityÆs most recognizable residents, headliners and show cast members wish Las Vegas a happy holiday season in a series of special video messages on Miracle Mile ShopsÆ Strip-side LED video screens. Every half-hour from 10 a.m. to midnight today through Dec. 31, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino will broadcast a few special holiday messages from famous Las Vegas personalities, headliners and show cast members. Each video is unique and can be seen and heard by anyone cruising The Strip.

More than 20 different messages will be shown throughout the month, including greetings from Mayor Oscar Goodman, Blue Man Group, Chester Bennington, PEEPSHOW star Holly Madison, rocker Sammy Hagar,áDonny and Marie Osmond, Zowie Bowie, George Wallace, Coach Lon Kruger, Gordie Brown, and Santana band members among many others.

Authentic Coal From The RMS Titanic Makes Fun Last Minute Stocking Stuffer! – This is coal you WANT to find in your stocking this year! Whether a prince or a pauper, every history buff can have a memento of the RMS Titanic now available at the retail shop inside Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Luxor. Come see the half million dollar, 55 pound piece of coal currently on display and if $500,000 is slightly out of the budget, pieces are available for $20 and $45.

Las Vegas Deals

These are only a few of the many Easy Vegas Deals we find each and every week (many of which happen too quickly for newsletter deadline). For a complete and constantly updated listing:

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

After seeing all the stereotypes on television and in the movies of seedy hotels and nothing but drinking and sleaze, we decided to take our first trip to Las Vegas back in March to see for ourselves. IÆm glad we went against what we were made to believe because I immediately fell in love with the city.

To our surprise, it was absolutely gorgeous! The media didnÆt capture a fraction of the beauty we saw in person. We didnÆt gamble, barely drank, and didnÆt do too much partying; just admired the gorgeous lights and buildings when we werenÆt enjoying some R&R in the Trump which made it the perfect, well-needed getaway for us.

I love that Las Vegas has something to offer everyone no matter what each personÆs tastes are and is a trip IÆm now looking forward to every year. Trying to bump my March 2010 trip up sooner 😉

Candice

Ted Responds:

You found what others find out on their first visit: We’re simply a world-class resort destination with virtually unlimited activities to suit almost every taste and palate. One can go to New York to see a Broadway-style show and pay $400 a night for a good hotel room, or come here and see the same (and more) staying in a world-class hotel for $150 a night.

The other great thing is that you have an option on how much or little R&R you want to get. Some people come and sleep only 3-4 hours a night and cram as much possible into their trip (as we’re truly the city that never sleeps). Others come just to unwind.

Trump is a solid choice for those who want a more peaceful stay. Those rooms were originally meant to be condos but are rented out as hotel rooms until the market improves enough for them to be sold, and you don’t walk through a big, noisy casino to get to your room.

Since you’ll be telling all your friends about Las Vegas, make sure to tell them to subscribe to our newsletter!

I just wanted to say its not the economy that keeps my wife and I from returning to Vegas this year. We have been regular Vegas customers for 15 to 20 years now. Last year we had such tight slots all four days that we was there we ran out of money early in day and then was bored to death. Aside from that meal prices have skyrocketed, hotels have turned to the charge you extra for every little thing, such as a $9.00 charge for a phone in your room that no one uses.

They need to go back in time with better gaming, cheaper meals, and better comps. Other wise we have no reason to return to Vegas with almost every state now having casinos. Again I say its not just the economy keeping people from returning to Vegas.

Michael Vigor

Ted Responds:

I continue to agree. Las Vegas has always been recession-proof. We don’t have a recession problem. We have a “casinos tried to screw people too hard in the mid-2000’s” problem and it is going to take a while to reverse some of the negative memories.

The good news is that things are changing. We’re hearing about people winning again, and there is a buzz of electricity on The Strip not seen in quite some time. Follow our Vegas Deals Blog EasyVegasDeals.com and you’ll see we are listing food and drink specials with regularity again. And… room rates will stay at historic lows throughout 2010!

Thanks for putting out an awesome newsletter so often! Las Vegas is my favorite city in the world!

Geno from Ontario, Canada

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 16-18 (3 day weekend)
  • Super Bowl Sunday February 7
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 13-15 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 14
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • Mardi Gras February 16
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 4
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 9
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 29-31 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 20
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday, Canada July 31-August 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Jewish New Year September 9
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day, U.S November 25-28 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 2 – Dec. 9

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2009 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

December 23, 2009 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Access Vegas Insider Vibe û December 16, 2009

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Seasonal Vegas Information
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

I’m back in the saddle, but with a bit of a heavy heart (which I’ll briefly note later). CityCenter has been in the process of opening and parent company MGM Mirage (and other agencies associated with it) have been very gracious in extending me all of the top level invites. I opted to sit out as my heart just wasn’t in it. However we have been running all the info and linking to all of the major stories and continue to do so.

CityCenter

CityCenter

You see… this section and all of the “rah-rah Vegas” I write about isn’t just an act for me. I couldn’t do this in Orlando or Chicago (with all due respect to those fine cities). I’m going on 17 years living here and I still — to this day — get a tingly feeling in my body when I’m on The Strip. That surge of electricity. I love everything about this town more than ever.

Some people move here for a while, but they never really like it. You’d have to pay me incredible money to even get me to think about living somewhere else. The main road in my neighborhood has a view of half of The Strip and even just driving home, I never tire of it.

And… what I write is from the heart. The joys of this amazing vacation destination. So, for the past two issues I stayed active behind the scenes (and penned the New Years Eve tips in our last issue) but just had to sit out writing my column. I am happy to be back.

Oh, and as for coverage of CityCenter? Those of you coming in the next few weeks will (and must) certainly check it out. What $8.5 billion can build is beyond breath-taking. If your hotel plans are still up in the air, you have no choice: Stay at Aria. There isn’t anything else quite like it. More details and great rates: Aria Resort at CityCenter Las Vegas (Make sure to click on the Photos and Rooms tabs).

If your vacation is a little further off, have no fear: Starting in January, we’ll be doing a six-part story (one for each of the hotel/condos and one about the shopping) accompanied by lots of fantastic photos. Stay subscribed!

CityCenter Latest News And Updates

Clarification – Last issue in the New Years Eve tips I noted a new “best kept” parking secret for New Years Eve if you want to get to The Strip and enjoy the action, but don’t want to end up parking well over a mile away (or get stuck in street closings). I need to clarify the following:

This is a “best kept secret” because it is only a couple of blocks from CityCenter but in an area filled with No Parking signs. With one exception: Harmon Ave. between Polaris and Ziebart has parking allowed on the south side of the street. Google Map

Governor Goodman Alert – We were way ahead of the curve letting you know that Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman had a high probability of running for Governor (something gleaned through a conversation I personally had with the man himself). Goodman has just (as of today) switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Independent, something that he noted would be doing if he ran.

Goodman was a registered Republican up until he moved here in the mid-60’s. He told me that as an attorney living in Las Vegas in that era, you were a Democrat and that-was-that (explaining his Democrat party affiliation).

With the financial crisis facing Nevada State government for the next few years, being governor won’t be an enviable job. However… Mayor Goodman is now dipping more than just a toe in the water.

B3 Burrito Nascar Cafe

Sahara Closing? – I took the above picture recently at The Sahara. Their “big as a baby” burrito is free if you can finish it all! Sahara has also been in the news because they recently closed two of their hotel towers and their buffet. Some are calling it the demise of The Sahara. Not so fast:

  • One of their towers remains open with more rooms available than most hotels in the U.S. even dream of having. The two shuttered towers look to be used during New Years Eve and also will be brought back online when demand increases. Why? With the opening of Aria flooding the market with even more rooms, rates are really low and people who would normally stay at The Sahara are taking advantage by staying at higher end properties for cheap.
  • The buffet closing is said to be seasonal. They note it has been closed for periods of slow demand in the past. Note: If you have a car and miss the Sahara’s sub-$10.00 dinner buffet, take the three minute drive to Palace Station where prices and selection are similar.
  • I was over at The Sahara the week before Thanksgiving (traditionally a slow/dead week) on a weeknight and the place was hopping! All of the tables in the party pit were full, craps tables were full, slots and table games had nice crowds. Not exactly the picture of a place fixing to close permanently.

In Loving Memory – This newsletter is all about Las Vegas. If I have a health issue or my dog has fleas (actually, I don’t have a dog) or if I get in a fender-bender… that has nothing to do with Las Vegas. We’re here to bring the Vegas Vibe to you, give you a “being in Las Vegas” feeling when you can’t be here, and get you all revved up for your next trip.

However, I had the great misfortune of losing my Great Aunt Helene recently (pictured to the left on her 100’th birthday). My paternal grandparents died when I was young and my maternal grandparents lived 1000 miles away. Helene and (Great Uncle) Harold couldn’t have kids and lived in the same town as us, becoming default grandparents. Some relationships with relatives are closer than others, but Helene’s kind and undying support and encouragement from my very earliest days as a child to even my most recent years was unparalleled. Always helpful, always willing to listen, always full of kind words, never overly judgmental.

Financial help in school, early endeavors, and even in the early days of this business (no one knew what the internet was in 1996) can’t be understated. Even more important was the thoughts, prayers, notes, cards, and letters. Even though she now lived almost 1000 miles away, we wrote back-and-forth every couple of weeks with her last letter to me coming just a couple of weeks before her passing.

She would have been 102 in January and until this past year lived a wonderful life in great health. Trust me… we should all only hope to be that lucky. She took a serious fall a few months ago, had some complications, and went downhill from there. Knowing that she’d need a walker and could never garden again (her true passion) took its toll and she decided to call it a day. She was content knowing where was going. I will miss her until my final day.

I’ve been sharing my joy Las Vegas with you for over ten years now in this newsletter. Thank you for allowing me to share this memory with you.

Ted Newkirk AccessVegas.com Signature

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Las Vegas Is On Sale!
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christmas tree las vegasMayor Oscar B. Goodman Turns On The Holiday Lights At The Fremont Street Experience Tree Lighting Ceremony – Mayor Oscar B. Goodman brought holiday cheer to the Fremont Street Experience on Tuesday, December 8 when he flipped the switch to light Las Vegas’ official Christmas tree.

The 50-foot tree was garnished with festive decorations and will stand below the 12.5 million lights of the Viva Vision screen. Directly following the ceremony, Fremont Street Experience’s holiday show, Candy & The Canes, performed a live song and dance show to holiday music hits. Also in attendance were Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese, Fremont Street Experience President, Jeff Victor, and Santa Claus. The official Las Vegas Christmas tree will be on display at the Fremont Street Experience through the Christmas holiday.


Mayor Oscar Goodman, along with Santa Claus, Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese and Fremont Street Experience President, Jeff Victor and friends, pose in front of the Fremont Street Experience Christmas tree moments after flipping the switch.

Chef Pierre Gagnaire To Open First U.S. Restaurant In The New Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas At CityCenter – Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, prominently situated at the entrance of CityCenter, the extraordinary new urban resort destination, will introduce the award-winning cuisine of three-star Michelin Chef Pierre Gagnaire at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire. Opening in December 2009, Twist will be Gagnaire’s first restaurant in the United States. The innovative menu will infuse the simplicity of classic French cuisine with a modern spin, relying on a pairing of flavors and textures for which Gagnaire is known. Located on the 23rd floor of the hotel, the Adam D. Tihany designed signature restaurant, seating 74, will feature a dramatic, glass staircase leading up to a suspended wine loft.

Grand Opening Of Crystals At CityCenter Brings Unprecedented Shopping Experience To Las Vegas Strip – Crystals at CityCenter opened its doors to the world, showcasing an unparalleled array of the world’s most exclusive retailers and forever redefining the Las Vegas retail experience. Opening day activities gave invited guests an early preview of this unique retail and entertainment district at the core of the extraordinary urban resort destination, CityCenter. Festivities began at noon with an invite-only shopping event for several thousand Las Vegas locals, for which a portion of the proceeds were donated to local charities including Nevada Cancer Institute, Keep Memory Alive, Nevada Ballet Theatre and The Smith Center for The Performing Arts. Crystals opened its doors to the public at 5 p.m.

Vanity Is Las Vegas’ Favorite Sin – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Opens Opulent New Nightclub With Grand Opening Party Hosted by Diddy – Celebrate your inner “Vanity” this New Year’s Eve inside the latest indulgent nightlife creation at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Located in the luxurious new HRH Tower, Vanity nightclub opens its doors Thursday, December 31st to ring in 2010, followed by the official grand opening party January 2nd with illustrious party host Diddy. Brought to you by The Nightlife Group (Body English, Rare 120, Rehab, Wasted Space) and co-owner Jason Giambi, Vanity focuses on the most important person in the room û you.

viva elvis las vegas cirque du soleilCirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis Tickets Available! – Viva ELVISÖ by Cirque du Soleil«, at Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas is a harmonious fusion of acrobatics, dance and live music, and a tribute to the life and music of Elvis Presley.

Created in the image of The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – powerful, whimsical, sexy, truly unique and larger than life – the show highlights an American icon who transformed popular music and whose image embodies the excitement, freedom and turbulence of his era.

Significant moments in his life blend with the timeless songs that remain as relevant today as when they first hit the top of the charts.

Click For Viva Elvis by Cirque du Soleil
Tickets And Availability

Las Vegas Rocks Cafe At Neonopolis Is Open – Downtown Las Vegas’ Newest Restaurant Is A Historical Dining Experience – The Las Vegas Rocks CafÚ downtown at Neonopolis, located at the corner of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Blvd., had the outdoor sign installed and opened at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009. After a remodel, the restaurant’s founder Tony Sacca, longtime producer, host and entertainer, is unveiling his Las Vegas history-themed restaurant in the space once occupied by Jillian’s. The new eatery, open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight, offers themed-style foods, an atmosphere filled with a historical perspective on Las Vegas, and live entertainment.

Hash House A Go Go Opens At Imperial Palace Las Vegas – Sin City’s Favorite Twisted Farm Food Makes Strip Debut – One of Las Vegas’ favorite restaurants, Hash House A Go Go is proud to open the doors of its newest restaurant today inside the Imperial Palace. The Imperial Palace location of Hash House A Go Go will offer the same over-the-top, unique and mouth-watering menu as its now famous off-the-Strip location and will operate under the direction of Hash House A Go Go co-owner and Nevada Restaurant Association’s 2009 “Nevada Restaurateur of the Year,” Jim Rees.

Two Legends Collide At UFC 109 When Randy Couture Battles Mark Coleman At Mandalay Bay Saturday, Feb. 6 – Scheduled Fights Include Josh Koscheck vs. Paulo Thiago II; Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Brandon Vera; Nate Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen and Matt Serra vs. Frank Trigg. In 1998, two of the greatest amateur wrestlers in the United States û Randy “The Natural” Couture and Mark “The Hammer” Coleman û were scheduled to meet in a relatively new battleground called the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The colossal meeting of Hall of Fame fighters in the making for more than a decade will be live on pay-per-view from the Mandalay Bay Events Center and presented by Bud Light.

Las Vegas Deals

These are only a few of the many Easy Vegas Deals we find each and every week (many of which happen too quickly for newsletter deadline). For a complete and constantly updated listing:

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

My wife and I visited Vegas from Nov.8 to Nov. 13. We had a great time and felt relatively safe, but I have a concern.

We were in Las Vegas in the early ’80’ s. It was nothing to see people walking on the streets with drinks, but I don’t remember ever seeing anyone intoxicated, or witnessing any rowdiness whatsoever. When the city was catering to families, I noticed drinks on the street were cut to a minimum.

This time I wasn’t surprised, since the focus is on adults again, to see the drinks, as before, but the control seemed to be missing. Many people were drunk and very, very boisterous. When at a machine in the Flamingo, I heard shouting right behind me and turned in time to see a man pick up a chair and forcefully throw it at another person. Others in the group tried to intervene. The security guard that arrived was an elderly man who just stood there, because he certainly couldn’t physically handle the situation and then a girl who was thin and seemed to be not much more than 5 ft. tall, and she couldn’t stop it either. The police arrived very soon and broke everything up.

My memory in my last visits to Vegas was that the casinos seemed to have complete control over the behavior and atmosphere, and the security guards were physically able to handle security problems. Consequently, I never saw anything like this before. In Casino Royale, a man was so inebriated, that, as he was trying to cash money at the cashier’s cage, he fell down and had to be helped to his feet by the security guard who leaned him against the counter and walked away.

On the street, as I was crossing from the Bellagio to the Planet Hollywood, I met a young man who walked leaning on the girl he was with. He had shaken a beer bottle so it was foaming and he was yelling vulgar comments about it as loudly as he could. He stare at me and I just smiled. He then yelled, “You think I’m crazy!” and started cursing at me. The girl dragged him away and I kept walking.

As I mentioned, I still felt quite safe during the extent of my stay. I’m wondering, though, if this type of atmosphere continues, it inevitably could worsen and adversely affect safety in the future and discourage people from coming.

Fred

Ted Responds:

The hotels have privately (and sometimes not so privately) lamented that the extremely low room rates have brought in more of a “spring break” crowd year-around. You’ll see that start to fade away over the next 12-18 months as rates bounce back to normal (for Las Vegas). When you are letting people essentially rent a luxury sports car for the same price as a compact, you’re going to get people who take the thing out and crash it.

You’ll likely never see the return to the “100% family friendly” Las Vegas. That experiment was tried throughout the 90’s and deemed a failure. People with kids along generally don’t spend as much. You can’t gamble while keeping track elementary school kids, nor are you likely to take them to a high-end celebrity chef restaurant.

The exception is our upscale international visitors who who come to the U.S. for a couple of weeks at a time, spending a few days in a number of western U.S. cities and tend to enjoy shows such as The Lion King and some of the finer dining with their families.

Per security having control of things: I think that Las Vegas hotels made a major (and I mean major) mistake about 10 years ago when they decided to quit arming their security guards. Side Note: Many are still armed with a concealed weapon, not something publicly visible.

The notion was that they didn’t want the patrons to be scared by seeing a gun on an officer. It felt too wild-west. Big mistake. I know that I felt much safer seeing security armed. And believe me… all but the most rowdy drunk is going to pipe down at the sight of an armed officer.

I really enjoy your newsletter and have been a subscriber for a few years. I live in Las Vegas and would like to see a section for locals and special deals on show tickets etc.

Thanks,

Jeaninne Oliver

Ted Responds:

As only 11% of our newsletter readers are locals, we really can’t go overboard with locals only deals in the newsletter. However… Much of that stuff goes on our EasyVegasDeals.com site and our Access Vegas Twitter Feed.

Thanks for reading and telling your friends!

I really enjoy your newsletter and have been a subscriber for a few years. I live in Las Vegas and would like to see a section for locals and special deals on show tickets etc.

Thanks,

Jeaninne Oliver

Ted Responds:

As only 11% of our newsletter readers are locals, we really can’t go overboard with locals only deals in the newsletter. However… Much of that stuff goes on our EasyVegasDeals.com site and our Access Vegas Twitter Feed.

Thanks for reading and telling your friends!

My wife and I have been coming to Vegas once or twice a year on business for a little more than 20 years. We decided to celebrate our 35 wedding anniversary in your great city this year. Here are just a few of the stats from our jam-packed 5 day stay at Trump Las Vegas.

We played slots and table games in 19 casinos. We placed bets in 5 different sports books. We ate in 10 different restaurants. We took 17 cab rides. We perused 5 different hotel and retail shopping malls. We went to 8 shows. (I failed to count the adult beverages consumed.)

Our results: Newest, cleanest casino û The M. Best slot win û BallyÆs. Best table win û Palms. Best sports book win û CaesarÆs. Best restaurant (and view) û VooDoo Cafe atop the Rio. Best cab ride û All but 3. Best shopping û CaesarÆs. Best show (and the most fun) û The Improv Comedy Club at HarrahÆs. Best adult beverage û Toby KeithÆs.

Thanks for all of your insights that keep us up to date between visits. WeÆll be back in March 2010!

Chuck & Elaine From Maine

Ted Responds:

Thanks for the fantastic report and congratulations on your 35’th anniversary!

I second the best view being Voodoo Cafe atop The Rio. Especially at sunset watching The Strip light up (although keep in mind that they don’t open until 5 PM so it might be February before they open in time for sunset).

Crystals at CityCenter is going to give Caesars Forum Shops a run for the money. Make sure to check it out on your next visit!

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 16-18 (3 day weekend)
  • Super Bowl Sunday February 7
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 13-15 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 14
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • Mardi Gras February 16
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 4
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 9
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 29-31 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 20
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday, Canada July 31-August 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada September 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Jewish New Year September 9
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day, U.S November 25-28 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 2 – Dec. 9

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

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All contents copyright 2009 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

December 16, 2009 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

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