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Access Vegas Insider Vibe – March 5, 2008

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! NASCAR weekend came and went with a big bang… as in a number of top drivers plowing into the wall with a flat tire or simply “getting loose” with the high winds. It wasn’t cold, but our desert can have unpredictable high winds in the early Spring.

One of the highlights everyone could enjoy was the parade of these huge NASCAR “haulers” right down The Strip! These oversized vehicles (even by truck standards) haul two race cars plus all the crew gear from race-to-race.


You can click on the above photo to see our complete photo gallery set of this unique event!

My favorite driver is Las Vegas native Kurt Busch, who pilots the Miller Lite #2 Dodge car. I moved here before Kurt was old enough to drink and have enjoyed watching both he (and his brother Kyle’s) rise through the ranks of racing.

I couldn’t pass up the chance to be front-and-center at the Kurt Busch autograph signing at the Sierra Gold “ultra-lounge” last week. Close to a thousand people (maybe more) lined up around the building to wait their turn. Inside, the Miller Lite and Jack Daniel’s girls were handing out free beer and swag in probably one of the most festive atmospheres ever for a NASCAR driver signing. We have the pics:


Las Vegas Native NASCAR Driver Kurt Busch
Click on above photos to view this entire photo set!PT’s Pubs (a chain of bars around the Las Vegas area) owns Sierra Gold and is a sponsor of the Kurt Busch car, so they went all out to do it up right. You can view the PT’s/Kurt Busch commercial (YouTube) that has been in heavy rotation on local TV here in Las Vegas.OK… OK… hold the emails and complaints. We realize everyone isn’t a NASCAR fan. This is a once-a-year deal. As always, we have our usual huge newsletter with everything you need to know about all the latest happenings in Las Vegas, plus our regular Members Mania and News sections.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

Featured Review – Hooray for HATS!

Reviewed March 2008
by Terri Feld

A life-affirming musical review inspired by the The Red Hat Society. Founded 10 years ago in California, the RHS is a diverse network of women 50 years and older who meet for outings dressed in colorful purple clothing crowned with red hats. Today nearly 40,000 chapters exist throughout the U.S. as well as 30 other countries. HATS! the show promotes the organizations’ mission of maintaining a positive outlook on aging, by emphasizing sisterhood and the empowerment of maturity.

At least a dozen genuine Red-Hatters in full regalia comprised part of a recent Sunday matinee audience dominated by fellow female fifty-somethings. The intimate venue consists of floor seats and table banquettes, giving audiences optimal accessibility to the performances throughout this one-act production. Ushers point out the bar located at the rear, however, purchasing drinks is not required. In fact, despite signage to the contrary, they gallantly wave me and my Starbucks to our seat. Click to read the entire review…

Comedy Superstar David Spade Returns To Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino – After successfully completing his first two shows to a packed house, comedy superstar and long-time Las Vegas headliner, David Spade, will continue his 2008 series at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino from March 14-15, with two more nights of hysterical comedy. (Tickets) A Las Vegas favorite, Spade joined the Planet Hollywood entertainment line up for a series of weekend dates through 2008: March 14-15, April 11-12, July 25-26, August 30-31, October 10-11, October 24-25 and November 28-29. Click to Read The Full Story …

‘La Cage’ Plays Celebrity Judges For ‘Next Best Food Star’ – CELEBRITY JUDGES – From left Crystal Woods as Diana Ross, Frank Marino as Joan Rivers along with Steven Wayne as Cher were selected as judges recently for the Food Network’s next big show “Next Best Food Star” to begin airing this coming August and September. The gentlemen from “An Evening at La Cage” (Tickets) at the Riviera Hotel & Casino judge the finale held in Las Vegas by taste testing the various dishes. Frank Marino is on a self-proclaimed mission to become the next wax figure in Madame Tussaud’s. Marino is photographed with his mannequin but says, “Rue Paul is in NYC and Dame Edna is in London. Why not?”

Banned for Decades, Forbidden Cocktail Now Available at Luxor – Nicknamed the “Green Fairy” for its occasionally milky green color and mythical hallucinogenic effects, absinthe is legal in the U.S. after a 95-year ban. Patrons of LuxorÆs new center bar, Liquidity, now can experience the once-forbidden liqueur for themselves. Available for $300, “Absinthe Envy” is served in an elaborate tableside presentation that offers a modern take on the tradition of serving the illicit concoction with a sugar cube and chilled water.

Venetian Headliner Wayne Brady Extends Hit Show Through August 2009 – Wayne Brady has captured the hearts of Las Vegas audiences with his one-of-a-kind show, Making It Up, at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino. (Tickets) Due to the show’s success, BASE Entertainment and The Venetian are pleased to announce Making It Up has been extended for another year, which will keep Brady entertaining on The Las Vegas Strip through July 2009. “I couldn’t be happier being in Las Vegas doing what I do best, entertaining audiences,” says Brady. Click to Read The Full Story …

Nevada Ballet Theatre Set For Creative Exchange With The Seoul Ballet Theatre – Nevada Ballet Theatre continues its 2007-2008 season with the most cultural of all productions — the highly anticipated East Meets West. Nevada Ballet Theatre will host members of the Seoul Ballet Theatre of Korea for a unique exchange production — uniting dancers from two different continents on the same stage! This stylized and distinctive performance will take place on Friday, February March 21 at 8pm, and Saturday, March 22 at 2pm at UNLV’s Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall. Click to Read The Full Story …

Ago Officially Opens At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas – AGO, the elegant Italian trattoria named after its celebrated Executive Chef Partner, Agostino Sciandri, officially opened its doors at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, hosted by Robert DeNiro and Sciandri. The opening of the Las Vegas restaurant coincides with the tenth anniversary year of the landmark Los Angeles eatery. Click to Read The Full Story …

Circus Circus’ Carnival Midway Debuts New Acts In 2008 – Circus Circus’ hallmark is the wonderful array of circus acts that perform center stage at the Carnival Midway. Performers from around the globe grace the Midway stage under Circus Circus’ big top, comprising the world’s largest permanent circus. From the dazzling aerialists to the fearless trapeze artists to the amusing clowns, the performances on the Midway stage take place daily, twice every hour from 11 a.m. to midnight with complimentary admission. Several amazing new acts will entertain audiences at Circus Circus this year. Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part Seven – with Victor H. Royer. Four Card Keno – This is currently my all-time favorite keno game, and the one on which I have won the vast majority of my most recent Video Keno jackpots. It was on this game that I have hit numerous 8 out of 9 hits, for $4,700 plus all the other pays, as well as solid 9s for $5,000 pays (2 coins) plus all the other pays in the “wheel”, many, many 8 out of 10 hits for $500 (2 coins) and $1,000 (four coins), plus all of the many other pays this provided for the combination hits. Click to Read Complete Article…

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Rick Bobst submitted a number of amazing Las Vegas photos. Enjoy these, and see the rest in our AccessVegas.com Reader Submitted Photos Gallery!

Ted,
My nephew is going to Vegas in a couple of weeks for his 21’st birthday. He wants to go to clubs like Pure and Studio 54. What is his best chance of getting in? They are staying at The Palms. Is he better off trying to get into Rain or Ghostbar?

Thanks,
Bob

á

We are going to get into a lot more club stuff this year. In the meantime, the best bet is to hit our friends at Nightclubs.com. Have him hit that link and punch in the dates to see what is happening and what is available.

Staying at a hotel is no sure way to get into their club. And… unfortunately if you are a group of guys, it makes it even more tough (as the clubs want plenty of women in the club also). Even if you are a mix of males and females, that won’t always speed things up.

The bottom line is that the non-VIP line can be 1-2 hours (or more). Purchasing VIP tickets usually cuts the wait substantially.. (A club can only hold so many people… virtually no one except celebs get in right away). Also, tell him NOT to club hop. Las Vegas is huge, traffic is a problem. He should pick the club he and his friends want and do the night there.

Hi Ted,My name is Ed Robinson from Manchester, Michigan and I read one of your articles about the traffic on the Vegas strip and the monorails design to help it. My question/comment is why I never hear or read anything about running the monorail right down the center of strip itself instead of behind the hotels. Being elevated, it would not take up much space and would be a hundred times more efficient and convenient.For starters, just being out front, people would see it and I am sure use it instead of driving. The way it is now, nobody in my family or any of our friends ever uses it because in the time it takes to walk through the casino and find the stop, we can just as easily and for free, walk to where we are going or use the bus system (which I think its the Best way to get up and down the strip for a small fee).

I am willing to bet that the monorail could be built to utilize the existing overhead crosswalks and maybe build some more to get people from crossing the side streets and further congesting traffic. Imagine walking out of the Mandalay Bay and having a monorail right there that could get you all the way downtown or just up to the Monte Carlo or any stop along the way and never have to worry about cars on the strip. It will never be that way with the monorail behind the buildings as it is now, never.

Right now it is just an inconvenience to use the system. Even when my wife and I stayed at the MGM last year, our one ride on the monorail was an expensive pain in the butt and probably won’t happen again.

I love going to Las Vegas but I always thought the monorail was a mistake and one that was not planned out enough to be worthwhile.

Thanks,
Ed Robinson

á

I couldn’t have said it better myself. The monorail is on reserve funds and may face either a demise or an expensive local government takeover.

Rebuilding it down the center of The Strip (no matter how much sense it makes) may be cost prohibitive. Especially since people are gun-shy about the failure of the current one.

I keep touting an elevated cable tram, just like they have in Palm Springs and Albuquerque. Cars holding 50+ people, running above the traffic lanes, making stops at selected casinos with one car running after the other after the other. The cars would stop on (what amounts to) the third floor of various casinos and the ride above traffic would be scenic with great photo-opts without the need for an unsightly structure disrupting the center of The Strip.

Our local officials and the gaming companies better figure something out. If we can’t get our loyal visitors around when you are here, you might not want to come back so often.

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 March 23
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22

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 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

March 5, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 27, 2008

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Wow… what a huge week. We usually don’t publish over the weekend, but better late than never. NASCAR is rolling through town, and rolled right up The Strip (as we previewed last week). Numerous drivers did meet-and-greets around town, with the most lavish being Kurt Busch’s appearance at PT’s Sierra Gold Ultra-Tavern (also as previewed last week). We’ll have photos of both next issue!

We also have over 25 new writers and bloggers, many already out on assignment. A few weeks ago, we asked your opinion of how we were doing with the newsletter and virtually everyone said “Don’t Change Anything.” So we aren’t changing. We are expanding our overall coverage! The newsletter will basically stay the same, but new blogs will cover specific niche topics so you can better stay informed on exactly what you enjoy about Las Vegas!

I Want To Rock and Roll All Night – Norm! of the Review-Journal is floating the rumor that Paul Stanley of KISS may be joining Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular (Tickets). Unlike many gossip mongers who throw caution (and accuracy) to the wind, Norm’s info is usually sourced pretty well. This could be huge: KISS has a large, loyal fan base that spans generations and Phantom has some serious theatrics and special effects sure to please KISS fans and expand the reach of Phantom’s crowd. We’ll keep you posted!

How can anyone live here? This frequent comment is heard by visitors during the summer months when we can have day after day of temps pushing 110 degrees (F). Funny… we were sitting watching all of the snow, ice, freezing rain, cars sliding all over the road and people bundled up head-to-toe this past week in much of the northern parts of the U.S. and we were thinking the same thing: How do you live there? I was in shorts and a golf shirt most of the past week.

What are the best jobs in Las Vegas? The Las Vegas Business Press ran down some of the “I really get paid to do this” job in Las Vegas, including a casino host, helicopter tour pilot, and more. (Not sure how they left me off this list). A fun read at Las Vegas’ hottest jobs … and who has them Some of the city’s jobs are almost as cool as some of its guests

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

Fergie Set To Perform At Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, March 22 – Multi-platinum and three-time Grammy Award-winner Fergie hits the stage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, March 22. (Tickets) The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Fergie first joined The Black Eyed Peas in 2002 and was on hand when the release of their first disc together, Elephunk, went triple platinum, thrusting the group into the industry spotlight. The mega-single “Let’s Get It Started,” earned the group its first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Click to Read The Full Story …

Click On Photos To View Complete Photo Set

Pink Taco Hosts Grand Re-Opening And Launches New Monthly Festivity “Cinco de Taco” – After 12 years of offering guests a dining experience beyond the ordinary, Pink Taco celebrated its success with a grand re-opening party, a newly expanded bar and the launch of its new monthly affair known as “Cinco de Taco.” This monthly occurrence takes place every 5th of each month offering $2 Coronas and Corona Lights, $3 Sauza Hornitos shots, $3.75 Sauza Hornitos margaritas as well as half-off appetizers from 4 p.m. until closing. “Cinco de Taco” features a live Mariachi band beginning at 6 p.m., and girls dressed in lingerie participate in three unique Pinata bashings filled with Love Jones lingerie. Click to Read The Full Story …

Comedian Roseanne Barr Announces An Engagement At The Sahara Hotel And Casino – Grammy award-winning comedian Roseanne Barr brings her everyday humor and observations to the Sahara Hotel and Casino, beginning March 1, 2008. (Tickets) Barr will perform in the Sahara’s legendary Congo Room, a 520-capacity entertainment venue, with a 9:30 p.m. show time. “Fresh out of rehab and ready to PARTY! Seriously though, I’m thrilled to be back in Las Vegas for another run and cannot wait to see you all at The Sahara,” said Barr. Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part Six – with Victor H. Royer. 3-6-9 – Among keno players, this ticket and game are known as “the three way kiss.” You figure it out. It is another version of the 9-spot way ticket that I have just shown you immediately above. On this ticket, however, you can only pick three groups of 3 numbers, making a total of three 3-spots, three 6-spots (although it really should be six 6-spots), and one 9-spot. Therefore, on the pay table there are only three possible winning combinations, and these are pays for the 3-spots, pays for the 6-spots, and the pays for the 9-spot. Click to Read Complete Article…

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I was wondering if you ever do stories about Vegas wedding chapels and reviews etc.? I love Vegas weddings and read everything I can find about the chapels and reception venues etc……I want to see it all the good and the bad. I love AccessVegas.com!

Sincerely,
Barbara Smith
Russell, PA

Interesting you bring this up. We’ll soon be assigning a writer who will review the various chapels and other wedding options (such as getting married in the Grand Canyon). I’m sure we’ll get some great wedding stories along the way.

Readers, if you have a funny or interesting Las Vegas wedding story, tell us about it at allvegastv@aol.com

Hello and thank you for your newsletter. My friends and I visit Vegas 2-3 times a year and find access Vegas very helpful in keeping up with all that is happening. I just wanted to say that you mentioned doing a different format for the news links. I find them very useful the way they are.
Thanks,

Sharla
Columbus, Ohio

I thank everyone for the kind words. Rest assured that we won’t be cutting down on the type of information we do. However the newsletter is getting unbelievably long. It was only a couple pages long when we started in 1999 and now prints out at about 12-15 pages! What we may do is publish all of the news links in a secondary section which you can reach with one click. But rest assured, we’ll be providing as much (if not more) news and information as we ever have!

As a frequent visitor to Vegas, and a former cab driver, I would like to share a couple of stories about cab rides. A few years back I was out at MGM Grand. I had done pretty well on Blackjack and it was time to head back to the Plaza (where we were staying at the time) when I got in the cab the driver took a right on Tropicana and I asked him ” you’re not going to take Paradise Road?” He said no. I then said “Oh, your going to run the interstate to get the fare up?”His reply was “Are you from Vegas” When I replied no, he then asked “so what makes you an expert! I went on to explain that if he ran Paradise Road, the fare would be around 7 dollars to the Plaza and running the “SLAB” would more than double that. He laughed. I told to go which ever way he wanted, but the most he would get from me was the amount on the meter plus a tip to total $20. When I arrived at the Plaza, via the interstate, the fare was $19.85. I gave him a 20 and said keep the change. If he would have run Paradise road, he would have gotten a 13 dollar tip instead of 15 cents.

A few years later we were staying at the Nugget. There was a group of ten. We took two cabs. Our driver ran the downtown streets to Paradise Road and straight to the Airport. The fare was under 10 bucks so we each gave him a five for a $15 dollar tip. The other group’s driver ran the Interstate and the fare was $22 . He got a $3 dollar tip.

Since that time 11 years ago. I have been renting cars when I come to Vegas 3 times a year and have saved a ton of money on cab fares.

Chuck Merica

This long-hauling just doesn’t stop. Locally (away from The Strip), I recently needed to use a cab. The intersection I asked the cabbie to take me to was north of our location. The cabbie headed south. After about three blocks, I asked why we weren’t headed north to the cross-streets I asked for. He u-turned and noted that he doesn’t usually work that part of town. Funny… he could have asked me where to go, or got out a map.

Just a reminder about leaving the car rental lot: I was by that area today and traffic was stacked on Warm Springs Road (which runs from the rental car lot to Las Vegas Blvd). One again, you don’t have to turn south (to the right) when you leave the rental car facility. When exiting the garage, jog to the left a bit and turn LEFT out of the facility on to Gilespie (road rental facility is on). You’ll start to see the Strip Hotels about a block up the street. Keep driving north towards the hotels in the distance until you are forced to turn left on Sunset. Then a quick right on to Las Vegas Blvd. and you just saved yourself 10-15 minutes of sitting in traffic!

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 March 23
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22

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 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

February 27, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 20, 2008

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Running a little late this week. We have been hard at work on a Vegas online map that should pretty much blow everything else out of the water. Some Las Vegas maps only show where the hotels are and others are far too general. We’ve taken your feedback to heart and think you’ll be thrilled with this new feature. We’re hoping (knock on wood) to debut it in about three weeks.


Click on above photo to view photo set

We have some great new photos of Caesars Palace in our photo Gallery! Flip through them and maybe you’ll find that slot machine you enjoyed, and remember that sports bet you placed, see the restaurant or lounge you enjoyed. Or… get pumped up for your next visit!

Las Vegas Nightclub Offices Raided By IRS – We occasionally get notes from people who want to know what the secrets are to getting into the major Las Vegas nightclubs. The answer is simple: Cash. And, all this cash has attracted the attention of the IRS:

We’ll follow up as the story develops. It has never been a secret that the nightclubs seem only second to gambling as a cash cow in Las Vegas and the tips in that industry can be second to none.

Jimmy Hopper Returns – All-around singer and magician Jimmy Hopper is a favorite of long-time readers. Many times a year, we get a “what is up with Jimmy Hopper” email. After being gone from town for three years (he was a mainstay in the Fontana Lounge at Bellagio), he’ll now be performing in the Lava Lounge at Trader Vic’s (Planet Hollywood) Thursday through Sunday nights. He starts February 21’st. Welcome back Jimmy!

Last couple of issues, we have reported on the five year anniversary of Mamma Mia! here in Las Vegas. A tremendous run indeed! Mamma Mia! (Tickets) companies from around the world sent their best wishes and congratulations on this amazing milestone and you can view the video at http://www.mamma-mia.com/lasvegas5anniversary.asp


Click on above photo to view photo set

The Las Vegas NASCAR race is less than two weeks away. This is by far one of the biggest events of the year. The race is usually sold out and hosts one of the biggest crowds of any race on the NASCAR circuit. NASCAR Las Vegas Tickets: Las Vegas Pole Day, Sam’s Town 300, UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400

We made a photo run and grabbed some great photos of the interior of the NASCAR Cafe at The Sahara. Lots of full size replica cars, memorabilia, and the food/drink isn’t too bad. However… if you are coming in for the race, skip it. Enjoy the photos for now, and enjoy the actual Cafe another time. Just about everybody (literally) in town over race weekend is a NASCAR fan and you don’t want to fight anymore crowds than you’ll always have to.

PS I won’t call it The Sprint Cup. Sprint cell phones seem to have the worst reception in Las Vegas and their customer service is terrible.

Las Vegas Native Kurt Busch Meet/Greets – The driver of the Miller Lite #2 Dodge car is doing two meet and greets in conjunction with NASCAR weekend. The first one will be on February 28 at PT’s Sierra Gold Ultra-Tavern, 6515 S. Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89118 from 7 – 9 PM (limited to the first 300 people in line). The second will be at The Palms, February 29 from 7:30 – 9:00 PM.

The Podcast Finally Returns… We’ve dusted off all the equipment, tested everything, and the Insider Vibe Podcast will return in about 10 days. So please… no more emails about bringing it back. We appreciate the interest, and are extremely close to cranking it up.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

MAMMA MIA!, the longest-running, most successful Broadway musical to play the Las Vegas Strip, marks its fifth anniversary this week. (Tickets) To celebrate, Mayor Oscar Goodman took chance as a spandex-savvy Dynamo. – The show opened in the ‘entertainment capital of the world’ on February 13, 2003 and set a new house record within a week of opening at the Mandalay Bay Theatre. In five successful years it has played almost 2,000 performances and been seen by more than 2,000,000 people in Las Vegas.Las Vegas Strip To Host NASCAR Hauler Parade On Feb. 28 – On Thursday, Feb. 28, the colorful NASCAR team haulers, transporting the Sprint Cup race cars that will compete later that week, will parade north on the Strip. The transporters will be staged at approximately 2:30 p.m. at the south end of The Strip. The haulers will then move north using the middle lane of northbound Las Vegas Boulevard.

The haulers will proceed the roughly five miles to Sahara Avenue before returning to Interstate 15 and the short ride north to the speedway. Race fans will be able to watch the hauler parade from both sides of the Strip and from any of the properties along Las Vegas Boulevard.

Our tip? The convoy is expected to start rolling and will have a police escort (no red lights) so the entire trip is only going to take 15-20 minutes. I’d be on the east side of The Strip no later than 2:45 PM.

Panic At The Disco To Perform At The Pearl At The Palms June 13 – The Honda Civic Tour returns to the Palms Casino Resort featuring Panic at the Disco. (Tickets) Along with special guests Motion City Soundtrack, The Hush Sound and Phantom Planet; Panic will perform inside The Pearl Concert Theater on Friday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m. Las Vegas natives Panic at the Disco made their debut in 2005 releasing the album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. Their single, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” became a hit on the music charts and propelled the band into stardom. Click to Read The Full Story …

Get Your Motor Running, Head Out To Fremont Street Experience Looking For Adventure At Race Jam – The Fremont Street Experience roars its engine for the annual Race Jam beginning Friday, February 29. The racing weekend will feature free live concerts, NASCAR merchandise booths and plenty of fast-paced fun. (NASCAR Tickets) The annual Race Jam brings two days of rocking entertainment to Fremont Street with Blake Shelton, LoCash Cowboys, Bruce In the USA and Garage Boys.

Bellagio Gallery Of Fine Art To Present ‘American Modernism’ Beginning February 2008 – Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art will showcase the best of “American Modernism” February 8 through October 15, 2008. Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), the exhibition will feature masterworks by American modernists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Stuart Davis, Marsden Hartley, Arshile Gorky and others. An engaging retrospective, the carefully chosen display will showcase more than 30 of the MFA’s most renowned paintings. The contemporary presentation will advance Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art’s dedication to enhancing the cultural landscape of Las Vegas. Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part Five – with Victor H. Royer. Top and Bottom Keno – This is quite a popular game, one that got its video version interest from the Lounge Keno version. In the Lounge Keno game, there are two versions of precisely this same game. The original version was the classic Top/Bottom ticket, where you bet on how many numbers would appear either at the “top” of the ticket — the “top” numbers 1-through-40 as shown on the ticket layout — versus the “bottom” portion of the ticket, showing the numbers 41-through-80, as printed on the keno tickets, and as being displayed on the keno board, and also on Video Keno screens. Click to Read Complete Article…

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I absolutely wait for your newsletter each week. I’m flabbergasted it’s free but I love that because it is the best source of unbiased reporting of all things Vegas around. I make one to two trips a year to Vegas and read a Vegas paper everyday but your newsletter keeps me up on what to do and what to avoid when in Vegas. Bravo!

For the life of me I cannot figure out why these people keep taking cabs to hotels from McCarran. You know they rip you off. Take a little more time and pay a lot less for a round trip shuttle. I love the shuttles and they are every inexpensive compared to the cabs. Also another way to beat the cabs is take the DEUCE around Vegas. This is another great bargain and beats walking to the monorail stations.
Michael Lewis
Lowell Indiana

Michael,

I’m flabbergasted we can do this also! I keep telling Mark and Amy (who do so much of the news research and story prep) and all of the new writers coming on board that the newsletter is at no charge so they should work for free. For some crazy reason, they don’t quite go along with that one.
In reality, we all do work very hard and appreciate the great advertisers like Las Vegas Hotel Deals, Blue Man Group, Stomp Out Loud, Mamma Mia!, Monty Python’s Spamalot and Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular.

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Two huge things that you and every single reader can do which will help us maintain the sheer amount and quality of our information, and keep it all completely free:

  • Please tell as many people as possible about our newsletter. They can sign up on any page of AccessVegas.com and check us out. If it isn’t their thing, we have a working unsubscribe button at the bottom of every newsletter.The costs to produce the newsletter are pretty much fixed. We might as well have as many people as possible reading, which keeps our advertisers happy. Happy advertisers pay the bills and the newsletter remains available to all!
  • Patronize the advertisers and booking information listed here in the newsletter and at AccessVegas.com. We only work with top hotel providers and shows. The biggest Las Vegas shows advertiser here, often with discounts to our readers (see the upper right sidebar on this newsletter).Las Vegas Hotel Deals has some of the best prices you will find anywhere, for every major Las Vegas hotel. You can kill two birds with one stone by getting some great rates and show prices, and showing your appreciation for the top Las Vegas companies and shows that keep this newsletter coming your way.

Seeking Vegas Family for Prime Time!My name is Rachelle Mendez, Casting Associate Producer for Wife Swap (airing on ABC). I work with families to learn how their households run, what their philosophies are, to answer any questions about the show, and hopefully help families get cast on the show!I am currently hoping to cast from Vegas who embodies the Vegas lifestyle. Maybe you know a family who works in the gaming industry. Maybe you’ve moved your family to Vegas because you’re following a dream that you can only achieve in Las Vegas.Wife Swap is a hit family program airing on Disney-owned ABC. The show focuses on different family dynamics and parenting philosophies across the country.

This is a unique opportunity that can be life changing experience for everyone involved. We hope this is an experience where families share their lifestyle and experience a different family’s way of doing things.

All families featured on the show receive a $20,000 honorarium.

Potential families can live anywhere in the United States, but we ask that families applying for the show consist of two parents and have at least one child, age 5 or older, living at home.

To submit for the show please call: 646-747-7948, or email a family photo and description to: rachelle.mendez@rdfusa.com

Thank you!
Rachelle Mendez
Casting Producer
ABC Television’s “Wife Swap”/RDF Media
1790 Broadway, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 646-747-7948
Email: rachellemendez@gmail.com or rachelle.mendez@rdfusa.com

This sounds really cool, and with so many readers I’m sure there is someone (or someone who knows someone) who would be perfect for this. Plus, the $20,000 for the participants isn’t a bad chunk of change.

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So Rachel knows you are a legitimate inquiry, make sure you mention that you read about the casting in the AccessVegas.com newsletter. And if you or a friend of yours gets picked, make sure to let us know!

Hello,I have a question from this weeks newsletter regarding The Producers ending in February. It seems that Las Vegas shows stick around for a while, and The Producers is closing only after a year. Is there a reason behind that, was it not profitable? If it has to do with profitability, what would this mean for future Broadway shows coming to stay for a long while in Las Vegas? Just curious, thanks for your time.Sandra KorbarThere isn’t any one single answer. Mamma Mia has been successful for years. Phantom is doing solid business, although it is somewhat of a derivative with the theater itself playing a role in providing the wow factor. (We don’t want to ruin it for those who have not seen it).

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With The Producers, a run of a year isn’t bad. Shows that are complete failures don’t last that long. Numerous factors go into a show having a buzz and being successful. Just as one can’t pick a guaranteed winning slot machine ahead of time, there is no way to know what works in Las Vegas until someone tries it.

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 March 23
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22

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 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

February 20, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 13, 2008

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Winter in Las Vegas is over. Finally! This past weekend brought us 70 degrees (F) and it looks like the chilly months have ended. Certainly, the temperature is bound to fluctuate. But it looks like shirt-sleeve weather from now until sometime in October.

Trivia Question Winner – Sheena Foster won our Superbowl trivia contest for a grab bag of stuff from our prize closet (see last week’s issue for details). We were swamped with answers. I wrote back to the first few, but had to give up from there because so many. Thanks to all who entered! Here were the questions (with answers noted):

  • What famous (infamous) casino owner put a million dollar bet on the Super Bowl at a small, dive casino on The Strip? Bob Stupak, although we also accepted Gene Maday, the owner of Little Ceasers casino as he personally took Stupak’s bet. Everbody but two entries had Stupak correct. Only 17 people had all three answers correct.
  • What was the name of that casino? Here is where most went wrong. Almost everybody put Vegas World. Yes, Stupak owned Vegas World. Which is exactly why he did not place the bet there. (You really can’t place a bet with yourself). Stupak took the money to Gene Maday’s Little Caesars.This place was a dive casino in a strip mall. A few $1 blackjack tables, a bunch of penny slots (the old kind… that actually took pennies and you had to pull on the handle) and a couple of crapsless craps tables. Oh… and probably the most infamous sports book in town. If you wanted to hear what the wise money was thinking and doing, this is where to be.
  • What sits now where that casino used to be? Little Caesars sits where Paris Las Vegas now resides (although we accepted Bally’s/Paris for an answer). In a run-of-the-mill strip mall with a great parking lot in back. What made the parking lot so great? No one remembered it was there! Even on Friday night, you could pull in and find a spot.

We featured a “must read” recap of that very story way back in this very newsletter… on October 27, 1999 (read archived issue here). Also, I highly suggest visiting Bob Stupak’s website where he has a video archive of the news surrounding his winning bet. Head to http://www.bobstupak.com/gambler.html and click on the both Superbowl Bet and Million Dollar Man links in the video area.

Celebrate Leap Year – For those of you using the extra day we get this month to visit your favorite city (Las Vegas, of course), Sushi Roku and sister restaurant BOA Steakhouse in The Forum Shops are offering sinful specialty shots for $2.29 all day long on February 29. We aren’t talking the rot gut stuff. Specialty drinks include the PAMA Shade (Malibu Rum and other liquors), Tokyo Cooler (Skyy Vodka, lemon, lime and more), Very Sexy (Belvedere Cytrus Vodka based) and others. Plus, these are two very cool places to hang out. You don’t want to miss this one.

Very Vintage Vegas – The big real estate news last week was that most of the top 10 forclosure zip codes were in Las Vegas. What struck me was that these zip codes were all in brand new areas of town. Far too many people foolishly bought overpriced (and in many cases poorly built) crackerboxes with no yard, located on the edge of town, far from all the things that make Las Vegas great. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

If you are going to buy a home here, buy in an established neighborhood. You can (and should) read more about this on a blog post I responded to at Foreclosures: 100 worst hit zip codes – But They’re NOT In Vintage Las Vegas

Finally… since we are talking so much about old school Las Vegas, Mark dug up this very cool video featuring footage of The Strip from the past. This is what Las Vegas looked like when I first moved here those many years ago: 35mm Stock Fooage Las Vegas Sights

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular Welcomes Two Veteran Performers To Broadway Caliber Cast – Phantom û The Las Vegas Spectacular, at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, is thrilled to announce the addition of two new lead cast members to its talented line up. (Tickets) Noted Las Vegas actress Tina Walsh and experienced musical theatre performer Andrew Ragone join the show on February 11, 2008. Playing the role of “Madame Giry” is Tina Walsh, a talented Las Vegas fixture known for her roles in the original company of Mamma Mia! Las Vegas, long-running Strip production EFX!, Hugh Jackman in Time, Jerry Springer The Opera and Closer than Ever. Click to Read The Full Story …

After breaking every rule on the Las Vegas Strip, MAMMA MIA! (Tickets) raised the bar again last night as it welcomed its 2 millionth guests, Jack Elliot, Ph.D. and Stacey Rich, at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Based on the songs of ABBA, MAMMA MIA! continues to be the longest-running and most successful full-scale Broadway musical to ever hit Las Vegas. Currently in its fifth year, MAMMA MIA! sets the precedent for Broadway musicals in Las Vegas. Since premiering on February 13, 2003, this beloved show has remained an absolute sensation and a locals’ favorite that keeps the audiences dancing in the aisles night after night.

The Strip’s Hottest Show Teams Up With Las Vegas’ Most Popular Athletic Club To Introduce New Class Hip, Hoppin’ And Stompin’ – STOMP OUT LOUD and Las Vegas Athletic Club Debut New Class to Get Your Heart Pumping. (Stomp Out Loud Tickets) Hip, Hoppin’ and Stompin,’ is the exciting new class on the LVAC roster. Set to today’s hottest music and live drum accompaniment provided by STOMP OUT LOUD cast members, this class fuses hip-hop, dance and body percussion creating an exhilarating workout. Click to Read The Full Story …

David Spade Performance Dates Begin February 15-16 – Comedy superstar David Spade brings his stand up to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. (Tickets) The Saturday Night Live alum and long-time Las Vegas headliner will bring his hysterical comedy show to The Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, for a series of dates in 2008. Known for his sarcastic and witty humor, David Spade has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years. David Spade performs at the Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the following dates: February 15-16, March 14-15, April 11-12, July 25-26, August 30-31, October 10-11, October 24-25 and November 28-29. All shows begin at 10 p.m.

First American Auditions For MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris March 3 û 6 – MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris will hold the first American auditions in the Crazy Horse Group’s history March 3 – March 6. (Crazy Horse Tickets) A well-known celebrity guest judge, who will be named at a later date, will help determine which three lucky winners will be chosen to join the prestigious dance troupe. For the first time, the legendary cabaret will hold auditions in the United States to cast three girls in the Parisian dance troupe. Click to Read The Full Story …

Escape Cold Weather Blues, Plan Summertime Fun Now – Chilly temperatures have you dreaming of fun in the sun? Winter may have just begun, but the time to start planning a summer getaway is now. Here are some sizzling ways to heat up your next vacation:

  • Get Bare at The Mirage Bare at The Mirage provides an exclusive adult alternative to the typical pool experience. Offering luxury dipping pools, chaise lounges and private daybeds, guests of Bare enjoy European-style sunbathing under the warm Las Vegas sun. Standard VIP service includes chilled cucumbers for the eyes, exotic frozen fruit skewers and mini-fruit smoothies.
  • Recharge at Luxor’s Restore Pool Restore Pool at Luxor offers guests 21 years of age and older a spa-like sanctuary. Sleek chaises, cabanas and daybeds provide a plush lounging environment. Complimentary amenities ranging from iced towels to frozen fruit slices ensure an upscale experience.
  • Monte Carlo Offers Fun in the Sun Monte Carlo’s pool complex offers a serene escape from life’s demands. Guests can grab a raft and float on the Easy River Ride or body surf in the city’s first-ever Wave Pool. Private cabanas include a flat-screen television, phone, safe and wireless Internet access as well as a refrigerator stocked with complimentary bottled water, sodas and fruit platter.
  • Mandalay Bay Beach Ups the Ante Featuring 11 acres of tropical-inspired poolside bliss including 2,700 tons of sand and an exciting wave pool, Mandalay Bay Beach redefines summertime fun. The world-famous pool destination also features a new three-story Beachside Casino. On the first level, the Beach Bar & Grill provides tasty fare to sunbathers. One floor up, guests can enjoy a climate-controlled casino overlooking Mandalay Bay Beach. On the third level, the exclusive Villas Soleil each offer cozy seating, a day bed, wet bar, 50-inch flat-screen television, MP3 player, safe and a private deck.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Just wanted to comment on my trip to Vegas last weekend. My boyfriend and I tried to get in to see the Pussycat Dolls at Caesars, waited 1 1/2 hours in line, and by 11:30 pm we still weren’t guaranteed to get in. What do you have to do to get in a club? That was on a Friday night. Sat. night, luckily, we were staying at the Venetian and I requested VIP passes to get into TAO nightclub. So we got in the VIP line around 8:30 pm. We were told by the bouncers that there were going to be thousands of people there that night since it was the 2nd Anniversary of their opening.

Also, after about a 1/2 hour waiting in line, one of the bouncers told my boyfriend that he wouldn’t be able to entered the club without a collar shirt. We had to get out of line and go in the mall and purchase a shirt. The Venetian employees that we spoke to never told us about that! So we got back in line and we were able to get right in. OK, we got in, but there is no where to sit! All seating was reserved from $5,000 to $15,000 each section. So we stood until about 11:30 pm and then we just couldn’t stand anymore and left.

It was very discouraging trying to get into clubs every night. Can you help with any tricks or tips you have?

Thank you very much!
Cindy Hoplamazian

Unfortunately, you had every factor working against you on the same night.

  • Virtually every club has a dress code for men which often requires things like a shirt with a collar, no tennis shoes (even dress casual sneakers), no baseball caps, you get the picture. Women can get away with almost anything (or almost nothing) if it is sexy and they look good in it.
  • Nightclubs are “standing room only” unless you purchase table/bottle service which can range from a few hundred dollars on a normal night into the tens of thousands on an “event” night. It is a custom imported from Europe and a huge profit center for the clubs.
  • Don’t bother hitting a club (even with VIP passes) on a huge night like their anniversary of some kind of similar big celebration or celeb event. You’ll have trouble getting in because every industry insider and club regular (plus tons of celebs from out-of-town) are given priority. And no, you won’t get close to the celebs even if you get in.
  • DO buy a VIP pass for any other (more regular) night. This can be the difference between waiting 20-30 minutes in line (a club can only hold so many people, no matter what) and waiting upwards of two hours. We strongly suggest Travelnice for nightclub passes. They are a quality company and have been around for quite some time with no complaints.

The great thing about Las Vegas? If these kind of clubs aren’t particularly for you, plenty of other options exist. Almost every casino has a lounge area with some great live music where you don’t have to pay to sit down nor have to dress a certain way. My favorite 1-2 punch for non-club action? Harrahs where the dueling piano bar sits just inside from Carnival Court and the live bands.

As a former NY cab driver I can honestly say many of your cab drivers try to intentionally rip you off. My last Vegas trip the driver took the tunnel to the Rio. Not a good idea. I didn’t pay him the meter but what the trip should have been.On another trip we took a cab from the Stratosphere to Harrahs. We didn’t realize for a few minutes that the cab driver was drunk, especially when he drove the wrong way down a one way street. Weve met quit a few great drivers, but the few bad ones spoil the whole barrel. Thanks for your article.Carl Katz
Mesa, Arizona

Hey Ted,What is your opinion of the South Point? we will be there in March.

Thanx,
Bob

It is the “neighborhood casino” for a couple of people on our staff. Nice, new, very similar to Suncoast. Good for the money, free shuttle to The Strip until late evening but better to have a car. A brand new freeway onramp behind the property puts you right on I-15 down to The Strip.

Michaels from the old Barbary Coast is a “must try” once in your life, rest of the restaurants are good with a huge variety (close to 10 restaurants if I count right). Movie theaters and huge bowling alley on-site.

It’s certainly not Green Valley Ranch or Red Rock, but provided you understand the situation of staying at an off-Strip property, I’d stay there over most of the other off-strip hotels around town. Comfortable and friendly.

Hint: If you need groceries, drug store, 7-11 or similar, head EAST on Silverado Ranch about a mile. South Point is still located in an area that has very little around it. Second Hint: Cajun BBQ Shack is in the mini-mall across the street (to the north). Good stuff. Couple doors from the BBQ is Templar Cigars, hand rolled by a exiled Cuban gentleman. Must try for cigar lovers.

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:

  • President’s Day February 16-18 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday March 23
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22

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 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

February 13, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 6, 2008

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Super Bowl Sunday brought some miserable weather with high winds and rain. Fortunately, just about everyone was inside watching one of the most exciting NFL championship games in some time! I had no rooting interest in either team, and am kicking myself for breaking a long tradition I have of betting on the Super Bowl: If I’m ambivalent about both teams, I’ll toss a few bucks on the underdog to win outright. If they win, the bet will generally pay 2 or 3 times my original wager (depending on how much of an underdog the team is). New England looked so strong this year, I skipped making an underdog bet on The Giants. Big Mistake! Moral of the story? Get your bets in, especially when it is just a few bucks for fun!

Prior to the game, huge hoopla surrounded the notion that betting on the game here in Nevada would top $100,000,000. In reality, the “handle” on the game was $92,000,000 and not even a record. Many conjecture that this number keeps from growing despite growth in tourism here because the sports books are more hesitant to take larger wagers (in the tens, and sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars) which may hurt them. As it is, the books lost $2,600,000 on the upset as people were betting the underdog.

Bonus Super Bowl Trivia Questions – We have some fun stuff collecting dust in the prize closet, and we are cleaning it out to make way for some very cool new contests and giveaways (as soon as we get our slick new contest software up and running). You need to answer all of the the following questions:

  • What famous (infamous) casino owner put a million dollar bet on the Super Bowl at a small, dive casino on The Strip?
  • What was the name of that casino?
  • What sits now where that casino used to be?

We’ll have a random drawing from correct answers. Send your answers to our special email radiovegas@aol.com. The winner will receive the following prize package:

The Prize Package: The book Las Vegas: The Fabulous First Century, the CD Doc Gibbs: Serving It Up Hot (Doc was Emerl Lagasse’s longtime band leader), the 2006 Zagat Survey for Las Vegas, the 2006 Guide To Las Vegas, and a Good Fellas Las Vegas Bail Bonds t-shirt (877-384-JAIL). Hey… I wasn’t kidding when I said we were cleaning out the prize closet!


Click Above Photo To View Complete Photo Set

Finally, congratulations to Mamma Mia! on the fifth anniversary of this amazing show playing Mandalay Bay. Five years is a lifetime in Las Vegas, and the success of this show is no fluke. I’ve talked to so many people, young and old, male and female, from all over the world who have seen this show and had nothing but great things to say about us!

Mamma Mia! is one of our fine advertisers. We only accept advertising from entities that we believe in… some of the top hotel providers, shows, and activities in Las Vegas. We thank them for helping keep this newsletter free. Check out their advertisements on the sidebar to the right and enjoy one (or more) of these top shows on your next visit.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

Feature Story:
Bellagio Gardens Chinese New Year Display


Click Above Photo To View Complete Photo Set

Striking New Display Incorporates Ancient Art of Feng Shui to Welcome Year of the Rat — Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is celebrating the 2008 Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rat, with a unique display filled with hidden meaning. The Conservatory’s design is guided by the ancient practice of Feng Shui– the art of using surroundings to attract harmony, balance and positive life energy. The dramatic centerpiece of this exhibit will be found perched atop an oversized, flowering branch. Here, a botanical, 5-foot-tall rodent will watch guests with an inquisitive eye. The auspicious rat’s lush coat will be made of red Alternanthera, a low-growing herb, with a touch of pink Hypoestes, a tropical plant. His long curling tail and delicate whiskers will be made of metal.

Legend has it that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came. The rat is revered for its place as first in the Asian zodiac and is a symbol of renewal. Those born in the Year of the Rat tend to be intelligent, charming and practical. Just steps away from Bellagio’s delightful rodent ambassador, an 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Wealth and Fortune will be found amidst gleaming I-Ching coins, a traditional Chinese money symbol. Widely recognized as the strongest symbol of good fortune in China, the God of Wealth and Fortune will be flanked by two Ming Dynasty-styled dings, ancestral vessels that protect against bad luck.

Nearby, visitors will find a zigzag bridge leading to a beautiful, wing-tipped gazebo painted a deep red lacquer with shimmering gold trim and green-tiled roofs. The color red signifies happiness while the upturned roofline will ward off evil spirits and the sharp pattern of the bridge will protect against negative energy and bad spirits. A majestic mountain, seen as a pillar between heaven and earth, will serve as a dramatic backdrop. The teachings of Feng Shui also will be used to purposely position the flow of water into Bellagio’s Conservatory, and not away, ensuring the flow of positive energy. From a tranquil Koi pond to a shimmering waterfall, water will denote the larger world we live in while carp will signify good luck and everlasting good fortune. Visitors are invited to celebrate Chinese New Year in Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens through March 15, 2008. (Article courtesy of MGM Mirage)

Chinese New Year Conservatory Facts:

  • 5-foot-tall rat comprised of red Alternanthera and pink Hypoestes
  • 18-foot-tall God of Wealth and Fortune
  • I-Ching coins are traditional money symbol
  • Zigzag bridges, color red, water and Koi protect against evil, ensure positivity

Related Links:

Sushi Roku Gives Guests A Smooch With Its Valentine’s Day Cocktail Dragon Kiss – Sushi Roku offers a fiery liquid concoction, Dragon Kiss, for a hot and blazing Valentine’s Day. Sushi Roku’s Dragon Kiss cocktail is a delightful blend created to make lovers melt and set hearts on fire. This libation is assembled with 8 mint leaves, 1 whole lime, ¢ ounce of White Tea Fusion, 1¢ ounces of Disaronno and 1¢ ounces of lemon sour. Click to Read The Full Story …

Celebrate The Chinese New Year At Gold Coast – Gold Coast Hotel and Casino will celebrate the Chinese New Year on February 12 with one of the largest traditional Chinese Dragon Dances in Las Vegas. At 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. a traditional Chinese lion and a 62-foot Chinese dragon will dance through the casino to bring good luck to all in attendance. It is believed that the lion will chase away evil spirits and bring good luck and prosperity. The dragon represents wisdom and a long life. Kung fu practitioners from the Lohan School of Shaolin will perform the dances.

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part Four – with Victor H. Royer. Cleopatra Keno – The base game is Video Keno, simple, as I have described it earlier. The difference lies in the last ball drawn (the last number, displayed on a ball which you can see being drawn from a device that looks like the Lounge Keno “blower” or “tumbler”). If this last number matches your selected numbers, and if this makes it into a winner for you, in addition to the wins you get for this hit you will now also receive 12 free games. During these free games any wins you get are doubled, so you win twice the amount you would have normally won, and for free. Click to Read Complete Article…

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:

  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day February 16-18 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday March 23
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26

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 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

February 6, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – January 23, 2007

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! The Super Bowl is looming and we always get a flood of “What is happening Super Bowl Sunday” emails. I’d love to tell you… but we’ve heard very little. No, Las Vegas didn’t forget how to party for big events. However, the NFL (No Fun League) certainly did, and has used court orders and legal threats the past few years to keep our resorts from throwing the once famous huge events surrounding the big game.

Specifically, admission can’t be charged for any event displaying the game, and the game can’t be shown on TV’s larger than would be used for normal home viewing. (This came as a result of The Palms plans to show the game in one of their movie theater screens one year).

This is really a complete shame. In the past, casinos threw these lavish events where one fee would cover an open bar, food, tons of giveaways, the Miller/Bud/Coors girls and tons of fun for a pretty modest fee. Profit wasn’t the goal. The goal was fun!

Do not despair! Las Vegas is still the best place place in the world to watch the game (short of attending the game live). Every TV in every casino is tuned to the game, millions of dollars are bet, and every play generates unmatched whoops and excitement. You still have time to book a trip here. Visit our friends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals and see what rooms they still have.

The game is February 3, 2008. If you really want to splurge, we do have a few Big Game Tickets available. If you really, really, really want to splurge: Buy tickets to the game, book a Friday – Monday room here in Las Vegas, fly down to Phoenix on Sunday to see the game in person, then back for the evening in Las Vegas!

P.S. I can hook you up with a stadium suite at the actual game in Phoenix for around $200,000. Serious inquiries only on this one to ted.newkirk@gmail.com (and don’t delay… this will be snapped up quickly).

Palazzo is fully open, generating more world-wide publicity for Las Vegas. The combination of Venetian and Palazzo (two hotels operating under one roof and jointly run as one hotel) along with the Sands Convention Center is being billed as the largest indoor complex of its type (in terms of square feet) in the world.

My advice: Visit Palazzo and Wynn Las Vegas back-to-back. They are just across the street from each other. Doing this creates an interesting compare/contrast in the styles of two of the biggest casino titans of the modern era. Missed last week’s issue? Then you missed our exclusive sneak peak. Check out Palazzo Las Vegas Photos

Palazzo Las Vegas News Stories

You heard it here first… our political caucuses were a joke. (As usual, skip this section if no interest). This will be the last we talk about this, but last week I noted just some of the surface problems which I anticipated with our Presidential political caucuses and why to not read too much into the results. The sparks are still flying and my comments follow:

On the Democratic side, the entire system was geared to get Obama the nomination. This included a union endorsement from that union that 80% of the Strip resort workers belong to, and nine “special” at-large caucuses in actual Strip hotels. Let’s see here… a very powerful union, caucuses at the union’s job site, and a caucus format that makes one’s vote very public. Nothing strange about that? (Correction from last week: The Democratic caucuses were at 11 AM. Also, the legality of these special caucus sites was still being disputed when I wrote last week).

The Clinton’s fought back with a vengeance. Hillary campaigned heavily and publicly in working class neighborhoods likely to have a high percentage of hotel workers. Bill spent much of the week walking (working) the “back of the house” at numerous Strip properties and visiting a number of hotel caucus sites.

On the GOP side, only Mitt Romney and Ron Paul actively campaigned here. Both poured a ton of money and time into Nevada. However, the time of the GOP caucus (Saturday morning at 9 AM) was tailor-made for Romney’s voters. The Mormons and Evangelicals who made up a large chunk of his support here were most likely to actually be up at 9 AM on a weekend. Ron Paul’s base of libertarians and younger people (both groups most likely to party into the wee hours on a Friday night) may have suppressed his vote. (Disclaimer: None of the candidates I’ve mentioned from either party are my first choice for the Presidency. I’m just speaking as a pundit).

Those who want to read more can check out the numerous letters to the editor or our local paper from earlier this week: Next time, Nevada should try a primary. I couldn’t agree with them more.

Quick Amazon Tip – This isn’t Las Vegas related, but a very cool idea I stumbled across. If you are like me, you go to Amazon.com for one or two items on a regular basis. This leaves you short of the “free shipping on a $25 purchase” deal they have. What do I do? Simply add some printer ink to my order. It is something I know I’ll need. Plus… it puts me over the free shipping limit.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

Sammy Hagar To Perform At The Pearl Big Game Weekend – Legendary Rocker Makes A Stop In Las Vegas At The Palms On February 2 – While thousands are in town for football, some have good ol’ fashion rock ‘n’ roll on their minds. This Big Game weekend, The Palms will be chock full with festivities, including a headlining concert with one of the most distinctive voices in rock, Sammy Hagar. (Tickets) The singer truly began to be a household name in the mid ’80s when he fronted the already formed Van Halen, replacing David Lee Roth. Hagar comes to The Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms on Saturday, February 2, 2008, at 8 p.m. for what is sure to be a winning performance. Click to Read The Full Story …

American Superstars Show At The Stratosphere Casino Hotel And Tower Adds Rod Stewart Tribute – The American Superstars show at the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower has added veteran tribute artist John Anthony as Rod Stewart to its line-up of celebrity tributes to yesterday’s and today’s hottest music stars, announced American Casino & Entertainment Properties officials. (Tickets) “Rod Stewart has a look, voice, and energy level that are uniquely his own. It takes an accomplished performer like John Anthony to nail a tribute that is sincere and accurate while covering the scope of Stewart’s enduring career,” says Mark Callas, who produces American Superstars with his Springtime Productions partner, Donny Moore. Click to Read The Full Story …

MGM MIRAGE Restaurants Awarded Michelin Stars Highlighted by Only Restaurant to Receive Three Star Honors, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand – The November 2007 debut of the Michelin Guide in Las Vegas is a European nod to Las Vegas’ evolution into one of the world’s top dining destinations. Sixteen restaurants were honored with at least one Michelin star, and seven of those restaurants are within MGM MIRAGE properties. Receiving top honors is the Michelin three-star restaurant, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand. The only Las Vegas recipient of this well-respected distinction, Joel Robuchon represents “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey” according to Michelin’s three-star criteria.

Earning an impressive two stars is Chef Julian Serrano’s Picasso at Bellagio. Two stars is defined by Michelin as “excellent cooking, worth a detour.” Rounding out the honors and capturing one star for “a very good restaurant in its category, offering cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard” are five impressive restaurants — L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand, Le Cirque at Bellagio, MICHAEL MINA Bellagio, Aureole at Mandalay Bay and miX atop THEhotel at Mandalay Bay.

AOL Names ‘Crazy Girls’ ‘Las Vegas’ Sexiest Topless Revue’ – In Its 22nd Year The Riviera Show Is Now To Be Featured In A Series Of New Movies – “Crazy Girls” has appeared on hundreds of magazine covers and has proven itself as the best long-running show as well as “Las Vegas’ Sexiest Topless Revue” time after time and now a series of movies are being made about the famous revue. (Tickets) No show in Las Vegas’ history has raised so much controversy as the “Crazy Girls” at the Riviera Hotel & Casino by virtue of performing and entertaining the 10’s of millions of visitors who flock to Las Vegas each year with the type of style of entertainment that made “The Entertainment Capital” the success that it is today. Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part Three – with Victor H. Royer. I have often written that knowing the pay tables for machine-based gambling games is essential, and paramount to your ability to win money. While powerful profits are possible even on games whose statistical profile distinctly classifies them in the “not so good” category, knowing this before playing is equally as important as knowing the information that statistically so classifies them. Just as important is knowing the odds on such machines, and the payback percentages. Click to Read Complete Article…

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Got a couple of great responses to last week’s question about coat-check and what to do with your coat in Las Vegas during the winter:

Hi Ted & Others,

Re this question in your latest column, being a woman, I’m “hot and then cold” while in Vegas (both weather-wise and luck-wise, for that matter). I try to layer a couple of sleeves. That way I can take off a sweater or jacket once I’m inside if the casino’s too warm. But I wouldn’t recommend putting a coat or sweater on the back of a chair, especially if you’re playing the slots. Most of us machine-hop fairly often, and what are the odds you’re going to remember that coat or sweater on the back of a chair? I’ve had to try to retrace my steps to locate a sweater (in that case) that I left on a particular chair.

In wintertime Vegas, the daytimes are most often sunny, and it means you won’t need a heavy coat. But a couple of layers of sleeves is a good idea, especially if you’re walking from property to property on The Strip–quite a distance in some instances.

Another thing that works for me is tying my sweater/jacket sleeves around my waist after I remove the sweater/jacket. No easy answer, but wintertime Vegas beats summertime heat for me, without a doubt! Have a great time,

J. Steele
from the Texas Hill Country

At Delmonico’s in the Venetian they offer to take your coat. Where they put it I don’t know, but of course we all got our coats back after dinner!

Barbara Smith

Russell, PA

Hi Ted,

Like many other readers I enjoy your newsletters. I have to ask……I haven’t seen any mention of any Mega Buck winners for almost a year now. Think the last big news was a nickel machine at the Golden Nugget a long while back. Has the ticket in ticket out put a drought on the winners?

Regards, John

Great question! It seems like there were record jackpots a few years ago, and people were hitting them every few months. A check with Megabuck creators IGT Gaming shows that someone hit $1.00 Megabucks for $10,762,067 in May of 2007 at The Fremont downtown. The current jackpot is over $16,000,000.

Some conjecture that the machines were tightened up to create the series of record jackpots. A downside of tighter machines? People give up and stop playing them.

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:

  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 7
  • Lincoln’s Birthday February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day February 16-18 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday March 23
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (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 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

January 23, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – January 16, 2008

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Happy to be back this week. My how time flies when you don’t know what you are doing. Got a sneak peek at…

Palazzo, Palazzo, Palazzo, Palazzo! – The new monster hotel next to Wynn Las Vegas has been open for about a week and celebrates its grand opening this weekend. Palazzo is somewhat interesting as the property has an understated elegance that sinks in and becomes deeper as you spend time inside the property.

We’ll let others tell you about it. Instead, we’ll show you Palazzo with our exclusive pictures taken just days ago!


Send this photo as an ecard to a friend (click photo)
and let a friend know their seat in Vegas is waiting!

We are going the extra mile for you, trying something new: In addition to our usual photo gallery presentation, we have combined selected photos into a new screensaver. Plus… something we’ve never done before: We’re making the entire photo set available full-sized as a zip file download. Once again, no charge to our readers! Our photos cover the outside, inside, gardens, fountains and casino interior. Here you go:

Right-click to download screensaver or zip file. Detailed instructions for screensaver and zip files, plus usage limitations at bottom of this issue. No registration needed, contains no shareware or viruses.

Nevada Caucuses are a joke – We don’t often get political here (skip this section of politics bores you), and I need to make it very clear that I am writing this prior to the Nevada political caucuses. As I write, I have no clue about the outcome so please don’t read support of any particular candidate into anything I note. If I could predict the future, I’d be making millions a year betting sports!

For those of you that follow politics, don’t put much (if any) stock in the outcome of the Nevada caucuses. Turnout won’t be representative of the voting population here in any way, shape, or form. Here’s why:

Nevada has a large tourism-oriented workforce. What are the busiest days and shifts for this workforce? Friday and Saturday swing shift. When is the caucus scheduled? On a Saturday morning at 9 AM. Which means… a significant portion of the population would have to literally attend in what is the middle of their night (sleep time).

Then, you have people who work traditional hours Monday through Friday who just aren’t going to get up at the crack of dawn on Saturday. Add to that a pretty sizable number of devout Jews who don’t conduct business on Saturday. Bottom Line: Whoever chose 9 AM on a Saturday morning for this event was off their rocker.

Side Note: To accommodate the varied workforce here (plus the number of people who travel), Nevada has both early voting and easy-to-request absentee ballots in other elections. This presidential primary should have been handled the same way here.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

Bon Jovi And The Lost Highway World Tour Will Rock MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, April 12, 2008 – Concert To Feature Special Guest Daughtry – Bon Jovi’s “Lost Highway World Tour” will make its way to the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, April 12, 2008 along with special guest Daughtry. (Tickets) The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Bon Jovi has established itself as one of the world’s most successful live rock acts by delivering their fans dynamic performances and the best tour production imaginable. Click to Read The Full Story …

Wildest Irish Pub On Earth Comes To The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino In Las Vegas – McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon, the “Wildest Irish Pub on Earth,” has crossed the great Mississippi River to land in the wildest city on Earth, Las Vegas. Throwing open its doors today, McFadden’s 7,000-square-foot-plus tavern at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino will be Sin City’s newest pub-hub for crowds seeking out an unpretentious party bar where both men and women can roll up their sleeves and have a great time. Click to Read The Full Story …

The Longest Running Full Broadway Show Ever To Play The Las Vegas Strip Extends Stay At Mandalay Bay To January 4, 2009 – 5th Anniversary Celebrated On February 13, 2008 – MAMMA MIA!, the global smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, will extend a record-breaking run at the Mandalay Bay Theatre through the end of 2008. (Tickets) Due to popular demand MAMMA MIA!, which was previously scheduled to end in August after more than 2,300 performances, will now play through January 4, 2009. Click to Read The Full Story …

New Lobby Aquarium Features Sea Creatures From Around The World – After a two-month transformation, The Mirage’s famed lobby aquarium û already one of the most elaborate and technically advanced in the world û now offers visitors a new sensory escape. The addition of hundreds of new sea creatures to the exhibit provides a rare glimpse into the aquatic wonders of our planet. Nearly 1,000 marine life forms now comprise a thriving undersea community within the 20,000 gallon display. Click to Read The Full Story …

Orleans Arena Hosts The 2008 AVP Hot Winter Nights Volleyball Tour – The Orleans Arena will transform into a sandy beach this winter when it hosts the final stop of the first-ever AVP Hot Winter Nights indoor volleyball tour. More than 200 tons of sand will be brought in for the three-hour competition and “winter beach party.” The most popular and talented professional volleyball players including Kerri Walsh, Jake Gibb, Elaine Youngs and Stein Metzger will compete as teams of two in a round robin play format. Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part Two – with Victor H. Royer. Similarly to Big Board Keno, Video Keno has been equally misunderstood. Although this machine is often among the best paying slots on the casino floor, many casual players have so far avoided this game because they think it’s too intimidating, or perhaps because no one has ever explained what a really great, fun, and profitable game this can truly be. With new advances in computer technology, many new variations on Keno games are now possible. Click to Read Complete Article…

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photos:

Enjoy the newsletter. We will be in Las Vegas in January when it gets cold enough to wear heavy jackets and coats and that brings up the problem: I don’t recall any cloak rooms in the casinos. Do we have to wear our jackets etc. or am I wrong about cloak rooms?

Thanks,

I. Rudyard Stone

No question it is coat weather for the next couple of months still. You know… in almost 15 years of living here, I’ve never thought about that! If I’m headed to a specific show, restaurant, or club I just leave it in the car and deal with the cold for a couple of minutes until I’m inside. If I’m casino-hopping in the cold, I hang it on the back of my chair (making sure nothing valuable is in the pockets).

Readers, have you seen a coat check area in a casino, restaurant, or club here? What was your experience? Drop us a note at allvegastv@aol.com

You and your staff do a great job on keeping everyone informed of all the Vegas happenings. I will be making a trip next year to celebrate a milestone birthday. Will be staying a week, and we can’t wait. Girls only trip! The planning is in the works and we always check your newsletters for the latest information. Any suggestions for ladies turning the big 50?

Any truth that Harrah’s is being sold? Do most hotels in Vegas charge you a daily deposit on top of your hotel price?

Terri Culver

Have fun and act like you are turning 30 (within reason… don’t kill yourself). Many ladies (and quite a few men) like to have a spa treatment. My hint for that: Services and prices will vary greatly so stop in check out the spas (and prices) of various hotels. (Unfortunately, we don’t have spa listings yet, but are working on it). Since it is a girls-only trip, go to a show (whether a male revue or a “Broadway” style show) that the men might otherwise not find so interesting. Watch our concert listings in the newsletter and go see a concert of interest to you if one happens during your visit.

Harrah’s corporation may be in transition to a private equity firm if everything works out. Many hotels charge various extra fees that are mandatory (usually a few dollars a night). Hotels do often place a hold on your credit card that is released upon your departure.

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 January 18-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 7
  • Lincoln’s Birthday February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day February 16-18 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday March 23
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1

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!

Instructions for Palazzo Screensaver, Palazzo Zip File, Usage Permissions

Instructions for Screensaver: Right click and download to your computer using the “Save As” selection. Remember what folder (on your computer) you saved it to. Go to that folder, and double click on the screensaver install icon. Follow the brief install messages and your new screensaver will be these incredible photos!

Instructions for Zip file. Download the same way you would the screensaver, but simply double click on the zip file (Windows XP and Vista) to open up the photo folder. Then, copy/paste (or drag) all the photos to another computer folder. This will “unzip” them back to normal.

Important Note: We create our screensavers “in house” here. No spam, no viruses, no registration, no nothing. Just the screensaver. Plus, if you tire of the screensaver you can go to the Add/Remove Programs area of your computer (where you would go to remove any other programs) and you’ll find it listed. You can uninstall it just as you would other programs.

Photo rights and usage: All Palazzo photos are taken by AccessVegas.com and fully copyright 2008. You may freely use them online or in print, for private or commercial purposes under this condition: Photos may be resized but cannot be cropped. The AccessVegas.com text must remain on the photo.

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 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

January 16, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – January 9, 2008

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

Book Online or over the phone! Call (toll free) 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Free Photos and Wallpaper

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

Ted is working on an AccessVegas.com expansion project this week. Enjoy these links and stories as prepared by staff.

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

Bette Midler The Showgirl Must Go On To Premiere At The Colosseum On Feb. 20 – Known for her incomparable humor, over-the-top imagination and captivating charisma, the Divine Miss M. has appropriately titled her new Las Vegas production Bette Midler The Showgirl Must Go On. (Tickets) The show, which is created exclusively for The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, will make its highly anticipated debut on February 20, 2008.

With plenty of girls and gags, The Showgirl Must Go On will feature some of Midler’s favorite colorful characters, from Delores Delago — the wheelchair-bound mermaid — to the oldest living showgirl in Las Vegas, old, old, old Soph. Midler and her entourage of talented performers, comprised of the staggering Harlettes (Jordan Ballard, Kyra Dacosta and Kamilah Martin), a 13 piece band– which includes a six piece horn section from the Las Vegas band “The Fat City Horns” — and 20 female dancers, are rehearsing in New York and Los Angeles before heading to Las Vegas to continue rehearsals in January 2008. Click to Read The Full Story …

Experience Nature’s Beauty at Bellagio – This winter, guests of Bellagio are invited to enjoy spectacular botanical displays featuring sights, sounds and aromas of the season. At Bellagio’s Conservatory, visitors can celebrate the 2008 Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rat, January 14 through March 15. The unique exhibit, featuring a botanical rodent made of living plants, zigzag bridges and a Chinese God of Wealth and Fortune, is guided by the ancient practice of Feng Shui.

Sirens of TI Welcome Metropolitan Choppers To Las Vegas – The Sirens of TI, the local beauties and the inspiration behind Metropolitan Choppers’ most intricate design piece — the “Sirens of TI Chopper” — signed autographs and met with fans along with Metropolitan Choppers (Frederick, MD) owner Rick Hill on Sunday, December 30.

Completely sculpted from metal, the main frame of the “Sirens of TI Chopper” showcases the face and body of a tantalizing Siren with hair streaming back and knee-high stiletto boots covering the exhaust pipes, while sculpted filigree waves form the bike’s rear fender and grace the front wheel. Metropolitan Choppers creates each bike with such care and attention that the company builds only 12 per year.

Related Photo Gallery Links:

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part One – with Victor H. Royer. Even though I have written an entire book on the subject, called: Powerful Profits from Keno, more than half of which is about Video Keno, this subject has generally been absent from our columns here at AccessVegas.com. Therefore, to remedy the situation, over the next 10 columns I will present an outline of Video Keno, and some of the interesting aspects of playing it. Click to Read Complete Article…

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 January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 7
  • Lincoln’s Birthday February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day February 16-18 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday March 23
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1

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 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

January 9, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – January 2, 2008

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

Book Online or over the phone! Call (toll free) 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Free Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! We are running just a bit late this week and letting the dust settle on another mind-blowing Las Vegas New Years Eve. Every year, it just gets bigger and more amazing. Almost 5 miles of the Las Vegas Strip closed to traffic and filled with people, every nightclub jammed, every hotel ballroom full of life, private parties in thousands of rooms… there is simply nothing like it!

The Vegas celebration is called America’s Party, but it really should be called the World’s New Years party both in size, scope, and to reflect the participation of visitors from almost every nation.

In our last issue, I lamented that the local TV coverage of the event wasn’t available worldwide. The celebration isn’t just about 8 minutes worth of fireworks at midnight, but a party that starts at dusk and continues into the early morning.

Guess what? KVBC actually put an archive of their entire coverage online including “Your Vegas is Showing” slogan, interesting costumes, interesting characters, Hawaiian Tropic Zone, Pussycat Dolls, 40/40, Pure, celebs, and (of course) The Fireworks. Very cool of them, and all of it well worth watching if you ever wondered “should we really do Vegas for New Years or is it all hype?” Check it out: America’s Party 2008 Highlights Video

Years ago, we used to go out try to cover New Years ourselves, but it has gotten so big that no one outlet can begin to cover it. Enjoy these links to various stories and streaming video from this past week:

Top 10 Shows Of The Year – Las Vegas Review-Journal show critic Mike Weatherford has picked his top 10 shows of 2007:

Too Much News? The news links section in the second half of each newsletter continues to get longer and longer. When I moved here almost 15 years ago, I never dreamed of the information explosion and Las Vegas one of the most followed cities on earth. We are tossing around better ways to organize our news links either by section/topic or by moving them to a blog.

If you regularly use/enjoy the news links, we want your feedback. We go to a significant amount of work to collect the info, and we’d like to see you get the best enjoyment out of it. Suggestions regarding this or any part of our publication are welcome. Email us at allvegastv@aol.com

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

Marquez And Pacquiao To Battle For World Title At Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, March 15 – The debate about which fighter is the best will finally be settled when World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez defends his title against three-division world champion Manny Pacquiao in a 12-round battle for pound-for-pound supremacy. (Tickets) Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, in association with Romanza Boxing Productions and MP Promotions, Marquez-Pacquiao II will take place Saturday, March 15 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Click to Read The Full Story …

Kevin Burke, star of “Defending the Caveman,” performing the show for his 1,000th time to a packed house. (Tickets) The performance also marked Burke’s 227th performance at the Golden Nugget.

Kim Vo Salon Made December Debut at The Mirage – Kim Vo, considered the “King of the TV Makeover,” has brought his talents to Las Vegas with the December opening of his salon at The Mirage. The salon offers the latest in hair trends and treatments as well as manicures, pedicures and personalized makeup services. Providing a variety of wigs and hair extensions, an interactive Beauty Bar will allow guests to preview new looks before making the “ultimate” commitment. Vo, whose clients include Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Teri Hatcher, Kirsten Dunst and Jenny McCarthy, will train all stylists and colorists to ensure his high standards are maintained.

Thrill of Throwback at Mandalay Bay – A hot nightclub trend mashes retro songs with Top 40 hits. Now, Mandalay Bay is taking the return of classic beats to a new level. Here’s how you can rock to a brand new sound:

  • Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce puts a new spin on burlesque with Royal Jelly. The Thursday night addition features hot classic rock by three musicians who shred and pound through two shows nightly.
  • eyecandy sound lounge & bar, located in the center of Mandalay Bay’s casino, not only features DJs spinning the best beats of hip-hop, soul, funk and rock, it also offers a touch-activated, light-up dance floor and interactive tables that display pre-selected visuals that pulsate to the beat of the music. Open nightly.

Stay Warm This Winter at The Adventuredome at Circus Circus – Set on five climate-controlled acres, The Adventuredome is the perfect place to escape chilly temps. Featuring 25 rides and attractions, it’s the largest indoor theme park in Nevada. From the world’s only indoor double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster and “Marvin the Martian” Special Effects Ride in 4-D to 18 holes of miniature golf and the 70’s themed ride Disk ‘O, The Adventuredome offers plenty of exciting ways to stay warm this winter. Click to view Circus Circus Adventuredome Photos

Bellagio Gallery Of Fine Art’s ‘American Modernism’ Opens February 2008 – Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art will showcase the best of “American Modernism” February 8 through October 15, 2008. Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the exhibition will feature masterworks by American modernists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Stuart Davis and Marsden Hartley. Hours of operation for Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art are Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photos:

Dear Ted,

Love your newsletter. Can’t wait till you get the wall paper up and running again. You are always getting great pictures, I thought I would send this one of a fantastic sun set in June.

Thanks,
Dee Clark

We’ll have our new wallpaper area up again soon, with plenty of new photos. In the meantime, a little insider tip: We have them all archived both at Flicker and Webshots in the meantime.

We are planning our next trip to Vegas and plan to be there in March 2008, however, I need to know how I can find out everything that’s going on in the month of March so I can pick which weekend we are going to go.Can you help?

I withheld the name of the writer because this is one of the most common questions we get asked so let’s set the record straight:

We publish everything as soon as it comes in. We have a comprehensive concert and event calendar at http://entertainment.accessvegas.com and publish much of that information in the right sidebar of every newsletter. We publish or link to articles about new coming events weekly.

If you are reading every week, you’ll be the first to know!

I would like to know about the Lady Luck is it going to reopen? Also the land next to Circus Circus is it ever going to be a Casino?Jerry Price

Lady Luck continues to be in limbo. It appears that a new group is buying it but with no stated plans yet. This is unfortunate as it was a favorite of many. The staff was friendly, and the gourmet room was a best-kept secret.

I mocked the plans of the Maxim Magazine themed hotel next to Circus Circus (announced in 2006) and it looks dead. MGM owns the empty land to the north and has not announced plan specifics. They are pretty busy building MGM CityCenter right now.

Just returned from LV last week. Stayed at the Paris. The taxi ride from McCarran airport to the Paris cost $21, $25 including tip! He took the I-15 route instead of the short Paradise Rd route. The trip back to the airport cost only $11, $15 including tip! Why the big difference? The first cabbie just ripped us off!Thanks for the newsletter!

Paul Woodall
Idaho Falls, Idaho

Gentlemen:I believe that you have one of the two best Las Vegas web sites and look forward to opening your news letter.

Sincerely,
Bob Pease

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 Day, U.S & Canada January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 21
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 7
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s DayFebruary 18
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday March 23
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 19
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 26
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day, U.S July 4
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 1
  • Labor Day, U.S September 1
  • Labour Day, Canada September 1
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day, U.S October 13
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 13
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day, U.S November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day, U.S November 27
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1

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 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

January 2, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – December 26, 2007

Posted on by

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

Book Online or over the phone! Call (toll free) 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Free Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Christmas was sunny but on the chilly side. We hope you and yours had a great holiday. New Years Eve is in the air and slated to be another huge year. Winds permitting, The Strip with light up with fireworks from the MGM to Stratosphere. The Plaza downtown is putting on their own fireworks show at 12:30 AM as to not conflict with the massive celebration taking place under the Fremont Street light show canopy.

Local TV station KLAS has streamed the fireworks show live in years past. No indication if they are going to do so this year, but you can try their link just before midnight Pacific and see.

It is unfortunate that most of you can’t watch the full 2-3 hour coverage that our local stations do. Short of being here in person, there is really no way to describe the excitement and festivities. The ball drop in New York City is about as exciting as watching paint dry in comparison.

The networks would love to do New Years from Las Vegas. The problem? Midnight on the east coast is only 9 PM here, a time when the party is barely getting started.

Do you have a few people you missed giving holiday Best Wishes to? Co’mon… we all had a couple of people we heard from that we didn’t get a card or note to. It isn’t too late: Pick one of the great holiday photos from our Bellagio Gardens Christmas 2007 Pictures area and send it as an E-Card right now!

Flying Etiquette – Delta Airlines has created a number of short online videos about air travel etiquette called Planeguage. Frequent fliers will find them all too humorous. Those that fly less regularly will enjoy the travel tips.

Mac King Is Everywhere – If you’ve been to Applebees during this season and had kids with you, odds are they were handed a “Holiday Hocus Pocus” with crayons and a little color book with simply magic tricks kids can do. Your local Applebees may still be handing them out. Give them a call and take the kids!

He’s also put out a couple of cool products perfect for kids (of all ages) who want to have fun with magic. Mac King’s Great Big Book-o-Magic contains over 50 very cool (and mystifying) tricks that are easy to learn and available at Barnes and Noble (stores or online). Also available is his Magic In A Minute Truck-o-Tricks with monkeys, cards, balls, strings and other props, jokes, and gags. Available at toy stores nationwide or Mac King Magic Shop. We just may be giving some sets out in the near future.

Also, you can’t go wrong checking out Mac’s afternoon show at Harrah’s. By far the best bargain and a show everyone will enjoy. Check out Mac King Tickets

New Las Vegas Photo Sets – We took a trip down Las Vegas Blvd. South recently. And we mean South. Starting at the west side of the airport at the Las Vegas sign… and heading SOUTH. Everyone is watching the massive construction on The Strip, but the next wave of resorts, gaming, and development is already in planning and progress. Get a good look now. It won’t look like this much longer. (Click photo for complete photo set)

We also added a few photo to reflect the remodeling and upgrades at the Golden Nugget. (Warning… these were taken in early fall when the weather was still very warm. Don’t bring your swimsuit this time of year).

Passing along a couple of “must know” tips…

  • Skip the casino ATM fees. You know that pulling money out of a casino ATM is obnoxiously expensive. Fees for casino ATM’s are approaching $5, then your bank hits you for another few bucks.The solution? Buy something negligible at one of the drug stores along The Strip and use your ATM debit card to get cash back. A pack of gum or bottle of water will cost around a dollar (cheaper than any ATM fee) and most stores will give you up to $100 cash back. This also may work at the many independent sundry/liquor stores. We haven’t tried it yet at hotel gift shops, but never hurts to ask if they will give you cash back with a debit card.

    Do all fellow readers a favor: If you find a certain hotel gift shop or independent sundry store on The Strip or Downtown that lets you use your debit for cash back, drop us a line at allvegastv@aol.com and we’ll start creating a list for all members to access.

  • Avoid the car rental traffic jam. The new car rental facility guides everyone out of the building and sends them south on Gilespie, west on Warm Springs, then north on Las Vegas Blvd. The problem? An almost constant traffic jam once you turn on to Las Vegas Blvd. because you are just south of where it intersects with our Beltway freeway and a major shopping area.Simple solution? Make a left turn out of the car rental lot. Take that road (Gilespie) north until it ends at Sunset. A quick left (west) on Sunset leads to Las Vegas Blvd. and you just zoomed past the entire traffic mess. Google map of suggested route. You’ll save yourself 10-15 minutes. We know. We use this shortcut all the time doing our local business in the area.

Enjoy This Issue!

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

Ultimate Fighting Championship Presents UFC 81: Breaking Point; Showdown Set Between Brock Lesnar And Frank Mir Saturday, February 2 At Mandalay Bay – Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir will put former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Champion and world-renown superstar Brock Lesnar to the ultimate test as Lesnar makes his move from the ring into the OctagonÖ to prove that he is “for real.” This will be a feature fight of the night at UFC 81: BREAKING POINT (Tickets) set to take place live from the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, Feb. 2. Click to Read The Full Story …

War At The Flamingo – Multicultural Crossover Phenomenon With Comedian George Wallace January 15-26 – The legendary funk band WAR has been tapped by resident comedian headliner George Wallace to share the stage for two weeks in January 2008. (Tickets) Following up the hugely successful visit by Sly and the Family Stone earlier this year Wallace personally chose WAR to extend an invitation to continue the excitement on stage at the Flamingo Showroom. Performing January 15-26 at 10:00 p.m. WAR will rock audiences with their eclectic fusion of rock, funk, jazz, Latin music, R&B and even reggae. This combination has given the band an enduring musical career and sales in excess of more than 50 million records. Click to Read The Full Story …

Sonny Charles & The Checkmates To Ring In 2008 At The Rampart Casino – New Year’s Eve Performance Will Honor Sweet Louie – The Rampart Casino will ring in the new year with a New Year’s Eve concert by Sonny Charles & The Checkmates. This show will pay tribute to the late, great Sweet Louie. The show will be held at Addison’s Lounge inside the Rampart Casino on Monday, December 31. The show begins at 9 p.m. $10 admittance at the door. Click to Read The Full Story …

Sassy And Brassy Babes Of Hogs & Heifers To Host New Year’s Eve 2008 Bash – Hogs & Heifers Saloon will ring in 2008 with live entertainment provided by rockers Southern Stue on Monday, December 31, 2007 Doors open at 1 p.m. There is no cover for the biggest party on Third Street that includes midnight champagne toast and party favors. Valet parking and on-street motorcycle parking is available. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. Click to Read The Full Story …

Golden Nugget Completes $60 Million Expansion – The Golden Nugget has raised the bar again with the opening of its newest addition. The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino unveiled its $60 million expansion at First and Fremont Streets just in time for the New Year’s Eve festivities. The addition, just west of the current property location, offers a large multi-purpose events center, expanded gaming floor, new sushi restaurant and an exciting nightlife venue unheard of on Fremont Street. Click to Read The Full Story …

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photos:

This was taken on Jan 14th 07 – the Tropicana’s water fall, yes its frozen. It was real cold the entire 4 days we were there. We were married on the 15th. The other picture is of the Stardust (well the sign) I know it came down a few weeks later.

Enjoy the pics!
Sandy & Steve

Thanks for the great photos! I saved them for the end of the year because losing The Stardust was certainly a big story of 2007. Also, a good reminder for people coming during the winter: It is sunny almost every day here, but not always warm. Average highs for January are 57 degrees, but average is the key word. As this newsletter goes out, we are facing 2-3 days where the low will be around freezing.

(Note to self… dig out really warm coat). Bring on summer… I so hate the cold…

Well I never made it to Vegas this past weekend. My daughter was sick and I felt I couldn’t leave her, but she’s fine now and it wasn’t serious. I have to say that South Point was great in that they didn’t charge me the requisite 1 night cancellation fee. The rest of the group went so I thought I’d let you know their reviews. They had good things to say about the hotel.The staff at the hotel were very pleasant and check in was no problem. They had reserved King beds and were given double beds but when they called the desk, she promptly found them rooms with Kings and also all on the same floor next to each other. The rooms were spotless, and huge. The casino wasn’t smoky and the pool was good. The only complaint about the pool was it could’ve been a little more secluded. Maybe more lush greenery(ala Mirage pool). The Del-Mar Deli was good and the breakfast buffet was good…especially at $6 with the discount coupon.

The liquor store on-site was a hit with reasonable prices. There is construction going on but the men in the group actually enjoyed watching the crane doing it’s thing while they had cocktail in hand by the pool. They used the shuttle to and from Mandalay Bay frequently, but the complaint was that it stopped running too early. They got tickets to Love. 2 from the group thought it was absolutely the best show they’ve ever seen, the other 4 thought it was just good…not being huge Beatles fans and there was also a 45 minute delay due to technical difficulties.

They did a Red Rock Jeep tour which they all enjoyed. They had dinner buffets at the Mirage and Bellagio with Bellagio getting a slightly better review than the Mirage based on food quality. Dinner at Canaletto at the Venetian was just OK…the food and also a less than pleasant waitress. However, they thought the surroundings were great, along with the gondola ride they took. They spent a little time in the bar at Kahunaville which they thought was fun. And one person won $250 on a slot machine at Bellagio with a $5 chip they found on the floor. So overall they had a good time with lots of laughs -and I was home wishing I was there.

So, thank you for all your info, and I will be checking out the newsletters and planning my trip whenever that may be…hopefully sooner rather than later. Take care!

Denise

Denise had asked about the South Point and ended up not being able to make the trip with her group, but she did report on the experience her group had and we appreciate the trip report!

As our daughter is in Graduate School at UNLV, my wife and I (we live in San Diego) consider Las Vegas our second home (Love Las Vegas and the people). Having mentioned that, I would like your help.I have a birthday coming up and will be in town to celebrate. I have been looking at many of the hotels gift shops for a embroidered black silk jacket or something else, that has the “Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas” sign that is on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Love the newsletter and look forward to it every week. Keep up the excellent work.

Regards and thank you for your help in advance.

Paul Wittmann
San Diego, CA

Heck of a question. I’m not sure I’ve seen one. The Las Vegas sign isn’t trademarked, so anyone can use it or variations of it. The hotels pretty much want to sell only stuff with their name on it. When in town, I’d check the Bonanza Gift Shop… it is huge. You might find something there.

Also, you may try Ebay. Try a search for

las vegas jacket

or similar.

Hope this helps!

I would just like to say what a great magazine you have, It is really great to read and it brings back at lot of memories as we came to Las Vegas last year and the year before.Keep up the good work.

Thank you,

Sylvia Worden,
Lancaster, Lancashire.
England.

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 (4 day weekend – Christmas on Tuesday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (4 day weekend – New Years on Tuesday)

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!

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December 26, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

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