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Access Vegas Insider Vibe June 11, 2014
AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe
Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999
Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.
Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com
Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.
AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:
Las Vegas Essentials |
Featured Shows
|
Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!
Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA TreatmentsSave up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las VegasCaesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages
| áPalms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now! |
| Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City! |
| Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little moreàon us. |
| The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ! |
Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals
Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)
This Week’s Top Tours
Click Here To See More Great Tours…
The Cromwell Las Vegas Hotel And Casino
Giada De Laurentiis’ First-Ever Restaurant, GIADA, Is Now Open At The Cromwell Las Vegas – The most anticipated restaurant opening of 2014, Giada De Laurentiis’ first restaurant, GIADA, is now open at The Cromwell Las Vegas. The cornerstone of the boutique hotel and casino, GIADA boasts priceless views, signature dishes and a warm and inviting atmosphere, all a reflection of De Laurentiis’ vision.
Clairol Natural Instincts sponsored the grand opening celebration for brand spokesperson De Laurentiis, who changed her Natural Instincts shade to Amber Shimmer for the occasion, offering invited guests a first look at the space in advance of the restaurant’s official opening day today.
- Full story/details/info: GIADA, Is Now Open At The Cromwell
Elevating The Lobby Bar Experience, Bound By Salvatore Is Now Open At The Cromwell – Now open, the newest addition to The Cromwell Las Vegas’ luxurious lineup, Bound by Salvatore, brings a new meaning to the lobby bar experience. Salvatore’s more than thirty years of experience shines with perfectly executed classic cocktails, never-before-seen espresso cocktails, elegant champagne cocktails and signature creations.
Featured on the carefully-curated menu are Salvatore’s signature cocktails, many of which are iconic and are synonymous with the famous bartender. The Breakfast Martini comes from Salvatore’s wife insisting he eat breakfast, to which he replied with a gin cocktail mixed with the finest orange marmalade, the same topping he uses for his toast. Also featured is the Spicy Fifty, which combines the best of sweet and sour on the palate with a warm finish.
- Full story/details/info: Bound By Salvatore Is Now Open At The Cromwell
Las Vegas And Grand Canyon Tours
- Walls of petroglyphs, rainbow-colored rocks showcased at Valley of Fire
Click Here To See More Great Tours!
What’s Happening At Las Vegas Hotels?
Father’s Day Las Vegas 2014
Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar Honors Padres With A Macho Meal For Father’s Day – Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar at The LINQ will treat dads this Father’s Day to a complimentary Don Margarita with the purchase of the De La Tierra platter on Sunday, June 15.
Satisfy dad’s cravings with the De La Tierra platter. The family-shared meal is served with New York strip steak; pork tenderloin and Spanish chorizo, paired with sides of grilled cactus leaves, Mexican street corn, spring onions, cilantro rice, black beans and flour tortillas, priced at $55.
- Full story/details/info: Chayo Honors Padres With A Macho Meal For Father’s Day
Bier Garten At The Plaza Hotel Downtown Las Vegas Offers Father’s Day Dad’s 2-1 Beer – For Father’s Day on Sunday, June 15, Bier Garten is celebrating dads. Sons and daughters can treat their dads to a beer at downtown’s back yard beer garden with Bier Garten’s buy one get one free beer offer on Father’s Day.
- Full story/details/info: Bier Garten Offers Father’s Day Dad’s 2-1 Beer
Book Absinthe Las Vegas Tickets Now
Click Here To See More Father’s Day Events And Specials
Dining, Drinking, And Dancing
More Las Vegas News
Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays
- Father’s Day Weekend Las Vegas 2014 (June 13-15)
- World Cup Las Vegas 2014 (June 12 – July 13)
Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…
Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! – I hate to start on a down note, but our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of Las Vegas (aka Metro) Police officers Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo. Those of you who follow the national U.S. news know that their senseless slaying while on duty was one of the top news stories of the week. That area of East Las Vegas up against Sunrise Mountain was my neighborhood and stomping grounds from about 1998 to 2003, so it particularly hits home with me. Both were the fathers of very young children.
The Real Weather – This past weekend, I read an out-of-town Vegas source say that it was going to be 113 degrees (45c) this week. Huh? We have had a couple of days running 4-5 degrees above our 99 F (37c) June average, but the 10 day outlook has us pegged right at average. We were suffering through a string of 115+ (46+ c) days about this time last year, but not this year (so far). While there are people from out-of-town who report on Vegas who do good work, I am occasionally troubled by reports that are that far off-base. If we were facing 113 this week, it would be the talk of the town!
Rock And Roll All Nite, Party (At The Hard Rock) Every Day – I still remember opening night of the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas very well. Passing actress Sherilyn Fenn (who I had the hots for at the time) on the way to the crowded bar. Playing craps right next to (then) Guns ‘N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum. It was 1995 and the Hard Rock was rockin’.
However, it would take nearly two decades before the property really started living up to its name with residencies by Def Leppard and Axl Rose instead of a more general “rock ‘n roll” theme that encompassed just about everything.áNote: I have a real problem calling Axl and the current assorted sidemen Guns ‘N’ Roses. Vince Neil is a solo act — and bills himself as such — without Motley Crue bandmates Tommy, Nikki, and Mick at his side. Axl, bring back Slash and we’ll talk.
Hot on the heels of rumors that Guns ‘N’ Roses will probably be doing residencies at the Hard Rock for quite some time is word that the legendary band KISS is getting ready for a line-up of shows this fall. (I have another connection there as current KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer and I used to run in some of the same musical circles in my hometown or Portland, Oregon when his band Black ‘N Blue had a few major label albums and a brush with rock stardom. Somewhere, I still have a photo of he and I together backstage at a show).
No word on the dates, but if you read this newsletter each and every week, you know we always have the section where we show you the latest concerts we’ve added. So, stay subscribed and stay tuned!
We’re Now On Flipboard – For those of you who prefer reading internet content magazine-style on your tablet, the free Flipboard app (for Android and iThingys) has most of the stories that we feature and link to available. Get on Flipboard, do a search for AccessVegas.com and hit the subscribe button. Very important: For some reason, you need to hit the little refresh circular arrow at the bottom left-side of our magazine cover to make sure you are reading the latest additions we make each time you open the app.
For those of you who prefer the traditional newsletter style (which has more info), we are getting ready to do a complete redesign to make it easier to use, and with a modern “easy on the eyes” design. We’re also exploring a digital magazine that can be viewed on any device, but one thing at a time!
Click, Click, Click, Click, Click – We get a surprising number of emails asking for details about something we blurbed out or noted here in the newsletter. Info which is usually contained in a link that accompanied the story! I love all of our readers to death, but we are not equipped to be able to handle questions on information where we’ve posted and linked to the info in question. Please click over to read an article/story before asking. Having said that…
Our premium paid membership program subscribers will have the promise that we’ll answer anything we can (within reason) to help you figure something out or plan for your next trip. Your contribution helps us keep appropriate staffing levels up, and that allows us to return the favor! (We do read every email to AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com and do appreciate them, but can’t reply to them all due to time constraints).
Been out-of-the-loop and unfamiliar with our pending premium membership? There is still time to save by purchasing before July 1! Click on over to:
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Best Las Vegas Hotel Voting – We had a little IT glitch that erased all the votes in our most recent round of voting. Regular readers know that we’re conducting a playoffs of all major Las Vegas hotels to let you decide which is the best! No “Editor’s Picks” or nominations here. This is about “We The People” who visit Las Vegas! Check out the bracket then click to vote. It is fun and easy:
Say Goodbye To The Harmon – The giant, curved building that has been Las Vegas’ most expensive billboard for the past number of years is finally being dismantled. Due to construction defects, the building was essentially deemed structurally unfit before it was finished. While rare, we do have seismic activity here in Las Vegas and “the big one” could bring it tumbling down. No implosion for this one. The proximity to the (recently sold for $1.75 billion) Cosmo could make a misfire extremely expensive.
No word on a replacement. One can hope for a park-like area of nice scenery and maybe a couple of restaurants to make up for the greenery that has been destroyed by the shopping mall construction in front of Bally’s just up the street. But with the way things are going, it will probably end up a Walgreens or CVS.
Here’s some video of the spectacular New Years Eve implosion of the Hacienda Hotel to make way for Mandalay Bay:
Want more Las Vegas implosion action? Check out our YouTube channel for Las Vegas Implosions!
Hope You Are Enjoying This Issue!
Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler
Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley
What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy
- Giada Las Vegas Restaurant Grand Opening At Cromwell – Giada De Laurentiis talks about her first ever restaurant “Giada“, at the grand opening in Las Vegas at the Cromwell Hotel. Included is footage of the gala and clips of this beautiful new dining establishment.
- “Las Vegas Playground USA” 1964 Tourism Movie – This incredible 13 minute feature highlights all of the things that made Las Vegas amazing 50 years ago (many of which still make it amazing today)!
- Kaskade At Encore Beach Club – If you are like us, you are probably scratching your head at how a guy who looks more like a investment banker or CEO earns millions per year performing to club-goers and pool partiers worldwide. If you’ve ever wanted a quick taste of what these pool events are like and either didn’t want to fight the long waits (or parade around in a swimsuit in front of a bunch of 22 year olds), this video will give you a little taste of what all the “excitement” is about.
Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!
We have just returned to the UK after our 10th trip to Vegas after five years absence, and have noticed a great many changes, not all good ones. The CityCenter area was being constructed when we where last there and it now looks great. The Aria, Cosmopolitan and Crystals especially so. Went on the high roller at night, the best time to see the lights of the city. Slots a bit tighter, but still enjoyed playing them.
Now a few negatives. We stayed at the Excalibur and were constantly harassed by folks trying to get us to book shows. If we wanted to book a show we are quite capable of doing this ourselves. Complained to the front desk but the guy did not seem interested.
We knew about the sex card pushers on the strip, but were surprised to see many beggars and costumed people on the sidewalks and bridges. I don’t mind giving money to buskers but how many of these beggars were really starving- as some of their placards said. They looked quite well fed to me.
However we will be back next year.
Harry Cadman from the U.K.
I am a huge fan of your news letter and a long term Vegas visitor. I like to stay at the north end of the strip @ Circus Circus. Although there are better hotels to stay at, I just like the vibe of Circus Circus. I feel like Vegas is my second home as I visit each year and have done for the past 10 years.
I too have noticed the changes in Hotels and atmosphere when visiting them. They seem confused as to what they are trying to be. Some say we are Hotel/Casino’s but in fact they feel more like shopping malls. The Quad is just terrible it has no atmosphere at all and the casino is all over the place. You have small parts of a casino here and there it’s poorly planned out and a complete waste of someone’s money in my opinion.
I visited a week or so ago and even the ticket slappers on the strip were few and far between and the street entertainers were all but gone too. I visited Fremont and that too looked like a building site, LOL.áI am sure it will look great when it’s finished but the Golden Nugget was full of atmosphere and I enjoyed my time in there. Don’t get me wrong there are of course still Casino’s worth visiting and will leave you amazed by there beauty, like the Venetian, Bellagio etc ….
I will continue to visit Vegas for as long as I am able but as each year passes the vibe of the town get more and more confused.
Vegas Pete
I want to thank both Harry and Pete for their great reports. Las Vegas certainly still deals with some negatives, and being an independent publication, we can (and do) speak out about them here. The slots are still too tight, and for some reason the calculator-driven CEO’s of these major gaming companies can’t grasp the concept that you are OK with losing your $200 for the day, but you’d like to have it take much of the day to do it so you get some entertainment out of it.
The continued growth of restaurants and the fact that over 70% of visitors go see a show just proves that you are finding better ways to spend your money than on the tight slots and bad-rules blackjack.
I agree with Pete in that I have yet to warm up to The Quad. Having said that, I’ll give it another try soon and see if it has grown on me. They wanted/needed to dump the Imperial Palace name (my understanding is that they did not own it), but they could have simply changed it to IP. Just like Treasure Island became TI and Las Vegas Hilton became LVH. The same amount of money dumped into Imperial Palace could have made it amazing, while keeping the cool theme.
Having said that, The Linq is being more favorably received than I originally thought it might. People are indeed wandering down this new “side street” for a relaxing stroll.
I do think that in the future, this will be looked back on as Las Vegas’ “lost period” when it wasn’t sure what it wanted to be next. Do you try to hold the gamblers? Do you cater to the clubbers who can’t go 3 seconds without posting a social media selfie (which, BTW, is free publicity for the city), and will this onslaught of shopping succeed? A possible Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy (which we’ll discuss next issue) could play a major roll in shaking things up!
We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:
- Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
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- Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.
Access Vegas Insider Vibe May 28, 2014
AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe
Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999
Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.
Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com
Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.
AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:
Las Vegas Essentials |
Featured Shows
|
Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!
Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA TreatmentsSave up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las VegasCaesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages
| áPalms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now! |
| Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City! |
| Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little moreàon us. |
| The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ! |
Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals
Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)
This Week’s Top Tours
Click Here To See More Great Tours…
Shows, Concerts, And Headliners
Guns N’ Roses Launched Second Residency, An Evening Of Destruction. No Trickery! – They’re back! Legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses marked its triumphant return to launch its second residency.
Actor and friend of the band Nicolas Cage helped kicked off the sold-out show by getting concertgoers amped up as Guns N’ Roses prepared to take Las Vegas by storm.
- Full story/details/info: Guns N’ Roses Launched Second Residency
- Click to Book Tickets Now: Guns N’ Roses
- Season Five Winner Of “Rupaul’s Drag Race,” Jinkx Monsoon, Attends ABSINTHE At Caesars PalaceBook Absinthe Las Vegas Tickets Now
- The Party Never Stops With Rockhouse’s Endless Daiquiri Cup At Electric Daisy Carnival
Book Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas Tickets Now
Father’s Day Las Vegas 2014
Click Here To See More Father’s Day Events And Specials
Las Vegas Dining
Now Open at Bally’s, BLT Steak Brings Back Legendary Sterling Brunch – Now open at Bally’s Las Vegas, BLT Steak brings sophisticated design, quality service and classic steakhouse fare to the revitalized hotel and casino. BLT Steak also reinstates the award-winning weekend staple, Sterling Brunch.
Regarded as the premier brunch in Las Vegas, the Bally’s institution of forty years, Sterling Brunch made its triumphant return on May 24, 2014, with the same excellence in service and fare but in a more modern and stylish presentation synonymous with BLT Steak. Sterling Brunch will now be offered both Saturdays and Sundays, and will be showcased in a sleek built-in buffet space with roll-top chafers. Guests will once again be able to indulge in the finest fare of caviar, lobster tails, fresh-shucked oysters, Alaskan king crab legs, and never-ending glasses of Perrier JouÙt Champagne, mimosas and bloody marys. Gluten-free items will also be available, and a personally guided tour of all offerings will be given upon request.
- Full story/details/info: BLT Steak Brings Back Legendary Sterling Brunch
Trevi Heats Up The Season With New Italian Menu Specialties And Cocktails – Trevi Italian Restaurant inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, has introduced three new specialty menu items and cocktails to enjoy during the spring and summer seasons.
Executive Chef Peter Scaturro evokes the best of land and sea with dishes including: chicken limone featuring grilled chicken spun with broccoli, sundried tomatoes and artichoke hearts in a zesty lemon cream sauce.
- Full story/details/info: Trevi’s New Italian Menu Specialties And Cocktails
More Las Vegas News
First Friday Las Vegas Celebrates The Art And Science Of Sound For “Hear, Here” On June 6 – First Friday Las Vegas, the largest arts and culture festival in the Western United States, has become the leader for family-friendly activities, art, cultural enrichment, educational efforts, imagination, community and more; mostly low cost or free of cost, for every age.
- Full story/details/info: First Friday Celebrates “Hear, Here”
- McCarran Medical Clinic And Pharmacy To Open Its Doors At McCarran International Airport
- How to be a high roller, or pinch pennies, at Vegas’ sparkly CityCenter
Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays
- Father’s Day Weekend Las Vegas 2014 (June 13-15)
Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…
Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! – Memorial Day is behind us, temps are pushing 100 F (38 C), and summertime is here. Depending on where you live, many of you have already seen the #VegasSeason ads (which parody all the fervor around Christmas marketing). We sit on the edge of our time zone, which means a really early sunrise this time of year. For those of you who simply can’t get off of Eastern time during your visit, you’ll find our 5 AM sunrises don’t have you waking in the dark. For you night owls, the weather around midnight (or later) is quite comfortable. For you show-goers, shoppers, and gamblers, you’ll be indoors all the time anyway!
15’th Anniversary Issue – I don’t tend to make a big deal out of milestones. They are a nice way to show longevity and get a pat on the back, but as I always say, “Time flies when you don’t know what you are doing!” And… our 15’th Anniversary Issue was actually last week. (I had the date wrong in my head). So, now this newsletter is 15 years and 1 week old.
You can go take a quick look here: Access Vegas Insider Vibe û May 20, 1999 We’ve come a long way, but that also necessitates our need to move to a paid membership program (just as you pay for other publications that provide you content and insight you enjoy). The first issue was basically one article! Click For Membership Details
The Vegas Spread – With those disinterested in baseball already focusing on NFL football, and some sportsbooks posting early lines, I’m reading articles that say “Vegas thinks this team will win x number of games…”. Here’s they way it actually works: Las Vegas oddsmakers simply pick a number that they feel the betting public will embrace.
For example, if the over-under on how many games a certain team will win this year is 9, that doesn’t mean that Vegas experts think the team will win exactly 9 games. What that means is that Vegas thinks that half the bettors out there who may place this wager think that the team will win more than 9, and half will feel that the team will win 9 or fewer. The Vegas line is simply set so that an even amount of money gets bet on each side of a particular wager they offer.
The casino simply hands the losers money to the winners, taking a commission for their profit. Which is why you need to generally bet $11 to win $10 on games. That extra dollar goes to the casino.
Laughlin, Nevada
Laughlin Tours – You asked and we answered! We get pretty regular requests for day tours to down to Laughlin. Imagine better gambling, lower limits, a minimum of rowdy 22 year olds, and reasonably-priced food. All in a group of casinos along a beautiful river walk, one after the other.
The price? $10 gets you a round-trip experience in a luxury motorcoach, and a lunch buffet it tossed in. From there, you are free to do what you want. For those of you who have thought about taking a day tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, Valley Of Fire, or similar, this is a great way to get your toes wet (and finding out that you won’t vaporize if you get off The Strip and enjoy some of our stunning desert scenery).
Details in the Ground Tours section at our tours page AccessVegas.com/Tours
Downtown Jumping The Shark? – A few years ago, while many out-of-town “Vegas” bloggers were oblivious to it, downtown Las Vegas and the Fremont Street Experience were heating up. We knew because we were down there seeing it with our own eyes. And… passing the info along to you.
However… times are changing and a few months ago I started to suggest staying away from downtown on weekends. (I don’t go down there on Friday or Saturday anymore… too busy, crowded, and crazy).
Derek Stevens, the CEO of the D Las Vegas and the Golden Gate, told the council, ôI am on the front line. I don’t want to belabor what we’re seeing on TripAdvisor.ö He was referring to comments from people who say they’ll never return to such a sleazy downtown and advising others to stay away.
ôIt’s a fact that it’s mass chaos on Fremont Street,ö acknowledged Councilman Stavros Anthony, a retired police captain. ôThere are bums eating out of garbage cans; people are really drunk. Ma and Pa Kettle from Iowa are not going to go back to Fremont Street.
At this point, I’m not saying to stay away. The food and liquor prices are still decent, and the gambling odds are better. If staying down there, the El Cortez, Main Street Station, California and Lady Luck Downtown Grand are a block away from the mayhem and noise. But for now, we’re suggesting avoiding Fremont Street on the weekends. Too crazy and too crowded. Speaking Of…
The Strike – As we send this out, a few downtown hotels still have not settled with the union, who is threatening a June 1 strike of hotels that have not agreed to their demands. The hotels still without contracts are Four Queens and Binion’s (same owners) Plaza and Las Vegas Club (same owners) and Golden Gate. Ironically, the last strike was a 9 day strike against the Golden Gate in 2002.
I’d guess that these will get settled. However, with our still high unemployment rate and plenty of qualified casino workers out-of-work, it wouldn’t be difficult for properties who wanted to go non-union to do so now. The Frontier was picketed during a 6 year strike in the 90’s and they still seemed to get people in their door during that time.
Ride The Las Vegas (New Mexico) X-Train – We’ve chronicled the push to bring upscale rail service to Las Vegas from Southern California. The train is to have comfortable luxury seating, wi-fi, two lounge cars, and more. One little glitch: They can’t come to an agreement with the two railroads who own the tracks.
Instead of twiddling their thumbs, X-Train is prepping to start tourist service between Santa Fe, NM and Lamy, NM. (OK, neither is Las Vegas, NM but this is in the same general region). If you live or vacation in that area and take a ride, we’d love to hear all about it at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com so we have an idea of what the Las Vegas – L.A. service may be like! We’re bullish on the concept not just because it will be a new way for Southern Californian’s to get here, but an additional way our European friends (already used to rail travel) to see the great Southwest in comfort as the pop over to Hollywood for a couple of days during their 2-3 week Vegas stay.
Great Casino Slots – Takes the Cake (aka The Lost Episode) – Regular readers remember a series we did with noted gaming author Victor Royer about some of the interesting newer slot machines available now.
This misfiled video was lost at the time, and since Takes The Cake slots have become more popular than ever. Victor wanted us to also share that at that time the game was only available with a max-bet of 225 credits. But today – as you will see from the real-money in-casino play footage – the game is available with a max-bet of 450 credits.
Hope you are enjoying this issue!
Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler
Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley
What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy
- SLS Las Vegas: Reimagining the North Strip – Take a behind-the-scenes look at the construction chapter of the SLS Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, formerly the Sahara Hotel. In recent years, the North end of the Las Vegas Strip has shown the effects of a struggling economy. Today, the area is transforming with SLS being the first hotel in years to open on the burgeoning North end of the Strip Labor Day Weekend 2014.
- Chef David Walzog Brings Rare Species Of Fish From Ocean To Table – Lakeside Restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas is redefining what ‘fresh seafood’ means, making rare species of fish available to Wynn Las Vegas diners, many for the first time. Join Chef David Walzog on his journey to Hawaii and see what it takes to bring the fresh fish from “Ocean to Table.”
- Wayne Newton: May 23rd, 1989 Full Concert Live From The Las Vegas Hilton – “Wayne Newton: Live In Concert” Pay-Per-View Special carried live inside the Las Vegas Hilton in its entirety from May 23rd, 1989. Prepare yourself to enjoy this two-hour show!
Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!
Last issue, we asked our European friends why they choose to visit Las Vegas during our hot summers (as opposed to other times of year). Here is a sample of the great answers we got:
Coming from the UK, our summers are usually short, wet and very rarely does the temperature go above 85F (29C). So to visit Vegas in the summer is a must for me, The Triple digit Temperatures just add to the atmosphere, it’s a desert Town, you need the heat to go with it.
Also it is a pleasure to walk around at night with temperatures still in the 90’s F (32-37 C) even after midnight. Though one of the years I must visit Vegas on New Year’s !!!
Darren Cresswell
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In response to your question, I’m from London UK and think that maybe we Brits choose to visit in July and August because our schools shut down for 6 weeks from mid July till early September. If you want a family holiday in Vegas the kids can come with you or if you want an adult holiday away then the kids go away to Summer schools. We as parents get fined if we take our children on holiday during Term time.
We also want to be guaranteed the good weather!! The UK in July/August can still be wet, cold and windy!!
Thank for a fabulous website, I love looking at it. Keep up the good work!! Can’t wait for my next visit to Vegas……..in October!
Kind regards,
Kim Barnes
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I have a home in Las Vegas which I have had for a number of years after moving to Vegas from Los Angeles approximately 10 years ago. I really love it here. I have a second home in London and have lived in the UK for over 10 years and got my British citizenship a few years ago.
In regards to your question as to why Europeans visit Las Vegas in the Summer it is a tradition that many Europeans take their long vacations during that time of the year. In most European countries people by law get at least 4 weeks of paid vacation and companies expect that most of these days will be taken in the Summer. In France it is a tradition that people take the entire month of August off and go on their vacation, leaving the big cities for the countryside or for other countries. Many restaurants and shops and companies in France close during this time period so people can take their vacation then.
Have you ever tried going to Paris in August? If so, you will see a lot of shops and restaurants will be closed for that month. As this practice is quite ingrained in the culture of many European countries I wouldn’t expect any quick change in peoples habits in regards to when they take their vacations.
Hope this answers your question. And, keep of the good work on your Newsletter.
gmofield2000
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Thanks to everyone who wrote in. We’re always working to understand your Vegas travel habits and wishes to better serve you!
Note to Darren: Yes, you must do New Years Eve at least once to knock it off your bucket list. The entire Vegas Strip is closed to traffic with fireworks going off from 7 hotel rooftops. We’re the only Vegas publication that I’m aware of who devotes space each year with our advice, tips, and tricks for experiencing New Years Eve in Las Vegas.
Note To All: We have not made a big deal of it yet, but our new YouTube channel has over 300 videos on it now, including New Years Eve fireworks, poker lessons, Butch Harmon golf lessons, retro and archived video of Vegas shows and clubs, implosions and more! Go to your channel https://www.youtube.com/user/AllVegasTV/videos and make sure to bookmark it. With that much to watch, you’ll want to come back time and time again!
We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:
- Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
- Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
- Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.
Access Vegas Insider Vibe May 21, 2014
AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe
Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999
Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.
Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com
Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.
AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:
Las Vegas Essentials |
Featured Shows
|
Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!
Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA Treatments
Save up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las Vegas
Caesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!
Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages
| áPalms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now! |
| Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City! |
| Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little moreàon us. |
| The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ! |
Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals
Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)
This Week’s Top Tours
Click Here To See More Great Tours…
Marquee Signage For Giada Inside The Cromwell Goes Up – Restaurant Reservations Now Available – Giada De Laurentiis was the first to post a video of signage going up on the second-story of The Cromwell for her highly anticipate restaurant, GIADA, to which her more than 1 million followers favorite and retweeted, echoing the excitement of the first-time restaurateur.
The signage displayed also marks the opening of reservations for GIADA. Guests can now place reservations, with the first reservation set for Tuesday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Emmy Award-winning celebrity chef and New York Times best-selling author Giada De Laurentiis will open her first-ever restaurant just in time for summer at The Cromwell – the new Las Vegas boutique hotel operated by Caesars Entertainment. Located on the bustling corner of one of the city’s most energetic intersections, her self-titled restaurant, GIADA, will be the cornerstone of the 188 room and suite hotel. The restaurant will extend out over the sidewalk below, offering the most sought-after views in the city.
- Full story/details/info: Restaurant Reservations Now Available For Giada
Shows, Concerts, And Headliners
Las Vegas Dining
NOVE Italiano’s Delicious New Guest Series Offers One-Of-A-Kind Dining Experiences With Culinary Icons – NOVE Italiano at Palms Casino Resort introduces the NOVE Italiano Guest Series featuring renowned culinary experts showcasing their exquisite cuisines, cocktails and desserts during three events. In June, guests can enjoy a dining experience with NOVE Italiano’s Chef de Cucina Kieran Toivonen and James Beard winning chef, Luciano Pellegrini. Award-winning master mixologist, Francesco Lafranconi, joins the guest series in July to create hand-crafted cocktails to complement a meal by Chef Toivonen, and in September guests are invited to sip their way through a craft beer pairing alongside Chef Toivonen’s skillfully crafted cuisine.
Each guest series dining experience commences with passed appetizers on the intimate mezzanine level and then progresses to a sit down dinner in the main dining room offering breathtaking views of the iconic Las Vegas Strip below.
- Full story/details/info: NOVE Italiano’s Guest Series With Culinary Icons
Las Vegas Tours And Attractions
- Walk Through NevadaÆs Valley of Fire (with video)
- A Day in Pictures at Red Rock Canyon (with photos)
- Grand Canyon from an Untrained Eye (with photos)
Click Here To See More Great Tours…
Drinking, Smoking, And The Partying
Celebrate Summer During æOld School By The Pool’ Friday Nights At Treasure Island – Treasure Island and Old School 105.7 FM are celebrating summer with æOld School by the Pool’ Friday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Treasure Island Pool and Cabanas.
Guests age 21 and over can enjoy old school favorites performed by the area’s hottest live bands poolside while indulging in tropical drinks from the Kahunaville bar. Cover charge is $5 and entrance is complimentary for hotel guests with a valid room key.
- Full story/details/info: Old School By The Pool At Treasure Island
Las Vegas Housing And Economy
More Las Vegas News
Pawnstars Appraiser Brett K. Maly Holds Book Signings At Gold And Silver Pawn Shop – “Pawn Stars” fine art appraiser Brett K. Maly is holding book signings for his just released book “The Pocket Picker: For Fine Art” at the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, 713 S Las Vegas Blvd., on Saturdays and Sundays, Mayá25 from 2-3 p.m.
Maly’s book is intended to be a field guide for æpickers’ to take with them on their picking expeditions. The book is approximately 7″ by 5″ with a soft cover and was designed to slip into a purse or trouser pocket. Maly covers all you need to know to buy fine art.
- Full story/details/info: Book Signings At Gold And Silver Pawn Shop
Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays
- Memorial Day Weekend Las Vegas 2014 (May 23-26)
- Father’s Day Weekend Las Vegas 2014 (June 13-15)
Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…
Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! – Well, I’m always quick to tell you about our amazing weather, so I must also duly note that we’re just about at that time where we’re going to be in the triple digits (100+ F / 38+ C) for around three months. I always say that I’ll take 100 over freezing anytime. I don’t like to have to bundle up when I leave the house and cold just feels really biting on my skin.
However, for those of you who like it the other way around, this is a great time to play for September or October. Get that excitement that comes from booking a room. While you are at it, nab some show tickets (booking early like this gets you the best seats), and maybe even plan a tour this time. Speaking of summer…
Spray Tan Secret – You know all of those people serving you here with those great Las Vegas tans? Um… those are usually fake. Spray tanning is a big industry here despite our abundant sun. (That pesky skin cancer thing plus the various shifts and schedules play a roll). Long gone are the days when showgirls would be sunning themselves sans their top at apartment swimming pools, mixed in with a couple of cocktail waitresses and similar.
Live Music With A View – If you miss seeing some good lounge jazz in Las Vegas in a great setting, make sure you check out Live Music With A View at Mandalay Bay’s Foundation Room on June 5. From what we understand, admission is complimentary (although this venue does have a dress code, so step it up a little). Details: Live Music With A View Series Elevates The Entertainment Experience At Foundation Room
PS One of the things we’ll be doing for paid members later this year is finding and reporting on the opportunities that still exist for great lounge music here in town. Given that entertainment schedules are always changing, we simply don’t have the staff to keep up on specific genres right now.
Congrats To Our Best Las Vegas Hotel First-Round Winners! – Head over the the updated bracket for our Best Las Vegas Hotels Playoffs to see how your favorite hotels did! We had a major upset with The Quad beating Mandarin Oriental. While we reserve the right to editorially “fix” results that are way out of whack (in case the ballot box was stuffed), we saw no evidence of foul play and merely chock it up to the fact that most visitors have never been visited Mandarin.
In other upsets, The Plaza beat Trump (possibly for similar reasons), and Harrah’s beat the nicer Palms Place (another place most of you probably were simply not even familiar with).
Match-ups were watching closely this time around? Paris vs. Mandalay, and Quad vs. Luxor (for the title of “King of the De-Themed Properties”). So what are you waiting for? 16 brand new match-ups await your opinion!
Best Las Vegas Hotel Second-Round Voting
Sinatra Returning To The Strip? – Master legendary vocal interpreter Bob Anderson — known for doing Sinatra as good as Sinatra, and being a favorite of top Las Vegas entertainers over the years — is shopping an old-school full-on Vegas show with full live orchestra. The catch? He’ll be professionally made up to look identical to Sinatra. This could be a tough sell in an already crowded show scene here.
However, he’d have no competetion. Casinos gave up on this type of show a long time ago. Well-liked local performer Zowie Bowie (aka Chris Phillips, no relation to David Bowie, simply a stage name) has made a previous attempt with limited success. We’ll keep you posted! Read more at Bob Anderson plays among the stars at the Venetian, but whatÆs next for his Sinatra show?
Linq-Mobile Trivia – If the new High Roller at The Linq runs at 1/2 total capacity day in and day out, it will generate around $500,000 per day in gross revenue. At that rate, not including interest, it will pay off the entire Linq mall and wheel construction in just over 3 years. After that, the wheel would spin off over $180 million per year in gross revenue. So, it is safe to say that even if it somewhat flops and numbers are even lower, it will be spinning (and spinning and spinning) off a profit within a few years.
European Visitors – OK, I have a question for our European visitors. Statistics show that you are most likely to visit here in July and August, and least likely in the winter. I have to confess that I thought it would be the other way around, where you would escape your winter for our mild winter and avoid our hottest months. It it simply tradition to holiday in the summer regardless of destination? Or do other factors come into play. We’re always curious, so drop us a note at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com and fill us in!
Hope you are enjoying this issue!
Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler
Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley
What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy
- A View Of The Bellagio Fountains From The Cromwell Hotel Rooftop – The Cromwell became the newest hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip in May 2014. One of the features bound to become popular is the view from the rooftop, which is the home of DraiÆs Beachclub and Nightclub, a 65,000-square-foot rooftop nightclub, day club and pool deck, designed by nightclub operator Victor Drai. And that view includes the Fountains of Bellagio û unobstructed and breathtaking.
- Grand Canyon In Depth: More Than A View – Grand Canyon In Depth is a new video series that explores the natural and human history of Grand Canyon National Park. Join park rangers, scientists, and historians as they take us beyond the rim of the canyon to discover the diversity of life and the extraordinary beauty of Grand Canyon National Park.
- Las Vegas Car Stars 2014 At The Fremont Street Experience – Las Vegas Car Stars was held at Fremont Street Experience on May 16-17, 2014. The event brings together cars from famous TV shows and movies, as well as actors associated with the productions. These famous cars converged on Fremont Street. See what you missed and make sure you catch it next year!
Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!
A note from Ted…
Newkirk’s Note And Members Mania – A reader recently wrote and noted that they were NOT going to take part in our paid membership because I don’t do Members Mania (Readers Letters Answered) every single issue and other than that, he could find the Vegas info we put out in other places. Since one email may represent the thoughts of other readers and you know that I am very transparent, I wanted to respond publicly:
1. Members Mania is dependent on the email we receive. Quite a bit of responses are simply readers taking a few sentences to note their thanks for the newsletter and that they visited here and had a great time. I very much appreciate those, but if I printed a bunch of them on a regular basis, it would appear self-serving.
Still others ask really specific questions that aren’t necessarily suitable for public distribution. Yet others ask “We’re coming here on such-and-such dates, what is happening?” BTW, I’ll answer that one for everybody: Check our Entertainment Calendar regularly as your trip gets closer, and read each newsletter. If you do both of those, you’ll know EXACTLY what is happening during your stay!
The bottom line is that there isn’t always suitable material for Members Mania. People forget that we are a (nearly) weekly publication! Not a monthly where everything can pile up for one issue.
2. Newkirk’s Notes appears in just about every issue. You get my specific take and tips on Las Vegas that you simply won’t find elsewhere. I am allowed to be sick once in a while, and due to my regular obligations running AccessVegas.com, I do miss deadline every once in a great while. But, rarely.
Am I saying that I’m the only Vegas expert out there? Not hardly! But my insights are often unique and I have a pretty solid track record after 17 years in this business.áEven if an issue is missing a Members Mania, I’d hope that the Newkirk’s Notes brings plenty of value.
3. I’ve repeatedly noted that our paid-membership initiative is NOT aimed at those whose hobby is following every little piece of minutia about Las Vegas. If you have 17 Vegas blogs in your RSS feed and you listen to 9 Vegas podcasts each week and get all tingly seeing some leaked design photos of one of the truckload of new restaurants that pop up on the Las Vegas Strip each year, you are not our target audience.
Don’t get me wrong: We welcome you here, and I’d like to think that some of you enjoy my insights. No “blind leading the blind” here! But we’re really for the person who loves Vegas, wants to keep up, wants some expert insight, but doesn’t really want to kill themselves sifting through Vegas info on a daily basis.
We do that for you. We curate the best, most relevant, most interesting Las Vegas info, add some expert opinion to it, and serve it up to you in a nice, arranged, weekly package! Judging by the enthusiastic response to our paid membership program so far, I’m thinking that we may be doing something right.
Thanks for your support!
We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:
- Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
- Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
- Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.
Access Vegas Insider Vibe May 14, 2014
AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe
Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999
Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.
Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com
Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.
AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:
Las Vegas Essentials |
Featured Shows |
Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!
Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals
Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)
This Week’s Top Tours
Click Here To See More Great Tours…
Shows, Concerts, And Headliners
Reality Star Scheana Marie Of Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules” Joins The Raucous Fun Of Absinthe – Reality TV star Scheana Marie from Bravo TV’s “Vanderpump Rules” was spotted in Las Vegas enjoying various activities on the Las Vegas Strip. Her selection in entertainment included a stop at the Strip’s “Best Adult Show” ABSINTHE at Caesars Palace March 2014. Following, she gracefully accepted The Gazillionaire’s desire to immortalize her experience and agreed to snap a photo with him and Penny Pibbets in the Spiegeltent. Talk about a way to remember ABSINTHE forever!
- Full story/details/info: Reality Star Scheana Marie Attends Absinthe
- In its second go-round, ‘Mamma Mia!’ returns with UNLV grad in the cast
- Fifties-themed Riviera show, “Forever Doo Wop,” belongs on to doo lists
- Britney Spears is offered $12 million one-year extension at Planet Hollywood
- Legends In Concert – There’s No Business Like Show Business
- The Quad Resort & Casino Headliner Frank Marino To Celebrate 25,000 Performances
Las Vegas Hotels & Casinos
Delano Offers First Look At Elevated Hotel Experience – Fusing the chic style of the iconic South Beach brand with the vibrant energy of the Las Vegas Strip, Delano Las Vegas will come to life at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino later this year.
Anchored by intimate yet energetic public spaces and sophisticated accommodations, the non-smoking, all-suite boutique hotel will appeal to the most discerning travelers from around the globe. At Delano Las Vegas, guests will discover a blend of personalized service and effortless luxury coupled with unexpected elements of individuality and high-concept design.
- Full story/details/info: Delano Offers First Look At Elevated Hotel Experience
SLS Hotel Enhances Culinary Offerings With The SLS Buffet And The Perq And Announces Collaboration With Lamill Coffee – SLS Hotel & Casino adds to its impressive selection of culinary experiences on property with two original food and beverage concepts by global hospitality leader sbe, The SLS Buffet and The Perq coffee bar. The modern buffet is an original design by Gensler architects in collaboration with renowned design consultant Philippe Starck, and The Perq marks the partnership between sbe and LAMILL Coffee. Opening with the property this Labor Day weekend, The SLS Buffet and The Perq provide standout, approachable dining experiences at SLS.
- Full story/details/info: SLS Hotel Enhances Culinary Offerings
- Station Casinos reverses net loss, posts best first quarter since 2009
- $4B Resorts World Vegas project crosses hurdle
Las Vegas Dining
Guy Fieri’s Kitchen & Bar Now Open At The Quad Resort & Casino – The highly anticipated Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar is now open at the Quad Resort & Casino. The restaurant opened its doors to customers for the first time on April 17, 2014 with Fieri at the helm welcoming guests to his new digs.
As the first diners entered, Fieri was at the door greeting guests, thanking them for coming, signing autographs and taking pictures before jumping back into the kitchen for dinner service. Photo credit: Erik Kabik.
- Full story/details/info: Guy Fieri’s Kitchen & Bar Now Open
Aria And Hundred Acre Unite For Exclusive Wine Pairing Dinner At Sage – Celebrity Chef Shawn McClain’s Sage at Aria Resort & Casino will partner with Hundred Acre for a one-in-a-lifetime wine pairing dinner Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. The event will delight palates with a five-course menu, created by McClain and Sage Chef de Cuisine Richard Camarota. Each course will be paired with elegant selections from the winery, as selected by Sage Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel and the evening’s hosts, Hundred Acre Owner and Vintner Jayson Woodbridge and ARIA Director of Wine Kim Wood.
- Full story/details/info: Exclusive Wine Pairing Dinner At Sage
Fukuburger To Park At Fame (Food•Art•Music•Entertainment) In Linq – Fukuburger, the wildly popular food truck serving all-American burgers with a Japanese twist, will be the first to occupy the food truck station in the Asian market at FAME FoodÀArtÀMusicÀEntertainment, when it opens at The LINQ in May.
- Full story/details/info: Fukuburger To Park At Fame
- Holsteins: So Much More Than Burgers
- Is Liberace’s restaurant Candelabra reopening for business in Las Vegas?
Memorial Day Weekend Las Vegas 2014
Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar At Linq Las Vegas Hosts Memorial Day Weekend Patio Party – Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar at The LINQ will celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with a party on the bustling patio complete with a walk-up tequila bar and festive frozen drinks specials.
As Vegas is heating up, fiesta-goers can cool down with Chayo’s refreshing frozen drinks served in a 32-ounce souvenir cup, priced at $15. An extra shot of tequila can be added to the pi±a colada, mango strawberry or margarita concoction for an additional $5. Live DJs will bring high-energy beats and sexy bull riders will take a ride on the wild side with Chayo, the mechanical bull.
- Full story/details/info: Chayo Celebrates Memorial Day Weekend
Salsa Over To Tacos & Tequila And Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend With A Mexican Fiesta – Tacos & Tequila (T&T) at Luxor Hotel and Casino will raise glasses to those who served our country this Memorial Day weekend with food and drink specials from Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26.
- Full story/details/info: Tacos & Tequila Celebrates Memorial Day Weekend
More Las Vegas News
- Las Vegas fights to stay king of convention cities (with video)
- Securing cash and drug: the other side of Nevada’s pot business
- The Do and Don’t of Baccarat
- As it woos the GOP, Las Vegas’ anything-goes image isn’t an asset
- Passwords, Secret Bookshelves And The Opening Of 1923 Bourbon & Burlesque
- ‘Vegas Rat Rods’ celebrates inner beauty
- Cha-ching! This is reel nostalgia
- Hershey’s Chocolate World nears unwrapping at New York-New York
- New stores and restaurants slated for Forum Shops and Miracle Mile Shops
- Second USO canteen opens at McCarran International Airport
- Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop At Paris Announces Summer Open Bar Offerings
Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays
- Memorial Day Weekend Las Vegas 2014 (May 23-26)
Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…
Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! – We hit our first 100 F (38C) degree day, and it feels good. All is right with the world again. For those of you going “Oh, that is way too hot”, keep in mind that with 15% humidity, it really is no big deal. How many of you who went through some of the brutal winter cold in the US and Canada this past year would have just about killed to feel the Las Vegas version of 100 degrees on some of those bitter days!
Stay Hydrated, And I Mean It! – As usual, my summer warning: Stay hydrated when you visit. It will lessen your hangover, help with your sunburn, and generally make you feel better. With our low humidity, you aren’t noticing the moisture loss from sweat. (It dries off your skin instantly). When you buy a drink, there is no crime in asking for ice water in a pint glass back with it. (I tell them to go easy on the ice so I get a decent amount of water in me).
Contrary to some of the crazy rumors out there, our tap water is 100% safe to drink. (I hope so, or I’d be dead). It does have a high mineral content, thus a taste that some of you may not be used to. When you get back to your room for that afternoon rest and at the end of the night, have a glass (or two) right out of the tap. Just get it down. Do that a couple times a day and you’ll thank me later.
Cosmo Sold – The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas — a foreclosed upon, bank-owned property — has been sold to the Blackstone Group. Deutsche Bank never made a profit while they held it. Blackstone seems to like distressed properties, as they were known for buying up single family homes in our area during the bust. (BTW, just about anybody who did made off like a bandit).
What does that mean for the future of the property? I wouldn’t expect any big changes anytime soon. Despite being a popular property with some of the best standard rooms in town (as they were slated to be condos), and known for their amazing mixology at their bars, the property has struggled to attract gamblers. However, the price the sale went off at bodes well for Las Vegas Strip casino valuation. Confidence in Las Vegas is getting very strong again (as I already was the first to report on a couple of weeks ago). Speaking of…
Up, Up, And Away – March set a record for the most people passing through Las Vegas’ McCarran airport since 2008. International traffic looks particularly good, which works for us! While the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority hopes to attract a full 25-30% of our visitors from outside the United States within the next few years, that is already around the percentage of international visitors who make up our readers! You are spending a significant amount of time and money to visit here, and we appreciate the trust you put in us to help guide you to a better Vegas experience!
In related news, Spirit Airlines has launched Kansas City to Las Vegas service with a red-eye that arrives here around 11:00 PM and turns around to depart on the return journey at 1:00 AM. (Spirit is the discount airline that pretty much charges you for everything except using the airplane bathroom and breathing the air on the plane).
So, why is this important news? Many of you may remember a decade ago when Las Vegas was a hotbed of red-eye service. As an America West hub, countless flights arrived prior to midnight, to be turned around and sent all over the country. Some visitors enjoyed being able to squeeze every last minute possible out of their vacation, then sleep it off on the way home. Lack of demand and airline mergers put an end to this.
We’re hoping Spirit’s move triggers a resurgence. If they can fill the seats, the airlines love it because they make more out of each jet during a 24 hour period. Planes don’t make money when they sit on the ground!
Living Up To Their Name – Hooters has bikini contests Saturdays 1-3 PM at their pool. Combine it with their “$4 Any Beer” and it might not be a bad way for a group of guys to enjoy a couple of hours. Hooters pool is open 24/7 and open to the public. Admission is free. We have local friends who live over that way and will pop over there just to stick their feet in the water and have a drink.
Uber Users Rejoice – Uber, a company that hooks up willing drivers (and their cars) with passengers who need rides, is coming to Las Vegas this month. Uber demands that drivers have clean, 4 door sedans and transactions are electronic. You “hail” an Uber car via a smart phone app. Passengers rate drivers, and visa-versa for quality control. For those of you in other cities who use and appreciate not having to deal with cab companies, you may soon enjoy this as another option to perhaps get to and from the airport.
Probably not so much of a good option hotel-to-hotel. Too much hassle for the locals who drive to fight Strip traffic and come get you. But it is a great way to get back at the long-hauling taxi drivers. Another option which we used to note often (and which we’ll return to reminding you of in the future) is to book a town car or limo. It isn’t that much more expensive than a cab, you pay a set fee, and you arrive in style!
Paging Burton Cohen – Those who vaguely remember the old TV series Vega$ with Robert Urich might remember the constant paging of a guy named Burton Cohen at the Desert Inn shooting location. Cohen, a long time casino manager for many of our city’s historic properties, recently passed away at 90. Stories: Las Vegas casino icon Burton Cohen dies and Burton Cohen: A legend and genuine to the core
Best Of Update – If you have not voted in this round of our Best Las Vegas Hotels poll, you need to do so ASAP. We’re pitting the top 64 Las Vegas properties head-to-head in a unique playoff structure and your vote matters:
Hope you are enjoying this issue!
Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler
Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley
What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy
- Mike on a Monday #51: Jersey Boys – After having a great run in the Las Vegas Half, I got the chance to relax and see some shows, including the smash Broadway show, “Jersey Boys
“. Critically acclaimed, I take you behind the scenes of this one-of-a-kind production based on the true story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. - Las Vegas New Years Eve 2013-2014 Fireworks – Why are we running this now? If you want to knock New Years Eve Las Vegas off of your bucket list (and, it should be on everyone’s bucket list), you want to start thinking about it strongly during the next couple months to get the time off and start watching air and room prices. Unsure it would be worth it? Watch this video and see for yourself. Imagine yourself on the Las Vegas Strip with blazing, thundering fireworks going off in just about every direction!
- Street Performers Peeved Over Downtown Las Vegas Bathroom Ban – Street performers bring a lot of entertainment to the Fremont Street Experience, but some of them say they are being forced out of the area when it comes to taking a bathroom break. Numerous downtown street performers told 8 News NOW that the casinos aren’t letting them use the restrooms and they feel they are being unfairly targeted.
- I-15 Las Vegas, Nevada Time Lapse Video 2014 – You are on I-15 headed north just before topping the hill that lets you down into the Las Vegas Valley. The Strip is in the distance and M Resort is on your right (at the St. Rose Parkway exit). For the many of you who fly in, this is your chance to experience the end of the journey for the tens of millions of people who drive in from California each year. YouÆll proceed along The Strip then onto downtown. 20 years ago, this was a two lane highway in each direction.
Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!
I have just returned from Vegas and, after reading Vegas Pete’s letter in the latest Newsletter, I must say I agree with him regarding the confusion of some of the Hotels now and also agree with you that Vegas is still a great place; it is one of my favourite destinations. I am from the U.K. and have a fear of flying, so wouldn’t travel the distance every year if I didn’t love the place.
However, I hate the City Center; it looks so out of place amongst the beautiful themed hotels. Also, when walking from the South End to the North End of the Strip, we have to go into the City Center to get to Monte Carlo & Beyond, instead of being able to walk along the Strip. The other side of the Strip is the same, having to enter Walgreens to get to Planet Hollywood & Beyond and this we find annoying as we use to love to walk on the Strip and it takes us where we don’t wish to go.
Also, many 1-cent slot machines are now a minimum of 30-40 cents a play and don’t seem to pay out as often. Slowly, it is destroying my yearning to return. I don’t wish to be a moaning misery but the things we enjoyed that took us there every year are slowly disappearing.
Kind Regards,
Marlene
Ted Responds:
I’m going to ask their parent company not to shoot the messenger here, but CityCenter is probably a Top-5 complaint in our mailbag since they have opened. Don’t get me wrong: People who stay there absolutely adore the property. Everyone else seems really not like the design and color (noting it looks out-of-place on our skyline) and/or hates the maze created if you walk that area. There has always been something so awesome about walking The Strip… right on the sidewalk.
Keep in mind the tram from Bellagio to Monte Carlo is available. However, even that is a bit of a pain. Instead of the old tram station next to the Bellagio Gardens, you have to walk way towards the back of the hotel to catch it.
The concept of the walkovers were created as The Strip got more and more jammed with traffic, which was further hampered by pedestrians crossing the streets. However, our county commissioners, who probably couldn’t find their way around The Strip if their life depended on it (hey guys, The Sands isn’t there anymore) rubber-stamp the new pedestrian traffic patterns without regard to the visitor experience.
I understand wanting to route visitors through shopping. This trend got started way back when Harrah’s was allowed to revamp their entrance and loop people around through the Carnival Court area. However, if the frustration starts to get on the list of reasons that pile up to keep people from visiting as often, you are defeating the purpose.
As we’ve noted in the past, penny slots are the tightest of any denomination. And, you need to play a whole lot more than one cent at a time to win anything of value. The only way to make money at penny slot is to kill time at them playing slow and low, and see how many free drinks you can down versus how little you can get away playing. If you want decent payouts, move over the the quarter slots. Playing pennies loaded (full credits) is going to cost as much or more than quarter slots.
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