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Access Vegas Insider Vibe April 9, 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…
Brian Urlacher And Roger Clemens Team Up To Win 13th Annual Michael Jordan Invitational At Shadow Creek – Former Chicago Bears All-Pro Linebacker Brian Urlacher and former All-Star New York Yankees & Houston Astros Pitcher Roger Clemens ran away from the 19-team field on Sunday to win the 13th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI) hosted by ARIA Resort & Casino.
- Full story/details/info: Brian Urlacher And Roger Clemens Win 13th Annual Michael Jordan Invitational
Linq Las Vegas
- Sprinkles Cupcakes makes Las Vegas debut
- First marriage proposal on High Roller
- Chewing Over Our Dinner At Flour & Barley In The Linq
- Which Rooms Have The Best View Of The High Roller Observation Wheel?
- A Trio Of New Linq Venues Make Their Debut
- High Roller observation wheel at the Linq is ‘forever changing the skyline’
- Sprinkles Cupcakes Sweetens Up The Linq
Shows, Concerts, And Headliners
Las Vegas Casting Announced For MAMMA MIA! – Tickets On Sale Now – After a nationwide search, full casting has been announced for the highly anticipated Las Vegas production of MAMMA MIA!
, which begins performances at The New Tropicana resort in Las Vegas May 8, 2014. The talented cast features MAMMA MIA! alumni, including all three Dynamos as well as several Las Vegas locals who will join the company.
The Las Vegas cast will be led by Christine Sherrill as Donna Sheridan, Kimbre Lancaster as Sophie Sheridan, Mary Callanan as Rosie, Alison Ewing as Tanya, Trey Ellett as Harry Bright, Steve Judkins as Bill Austin, Sean Allan Krill as Sam Carmichael and Jordan Bondurant as Sky.
- Full story/details/info: Las Vegas Casting Announced For MAMMA MIA!
- Click to Book Tickets Now: MAMMA MIA!
Country Music Star Ronnie Dunn Attends Jersey Boys At Paris Las Vegas – Country music star Ronnie Dunn, of legendary duo Brooks & Dunn, attended Las Vegas’ #1 show Jersey Boys
at Paris Las Vegas on April 3, 2014. In town for the Academy of Country Music Awards festivities, Dunn stopped by to see the show and to meet the cast following the performance.
- Full story/details/info: Country Music Star Ronnie Dunn Attends Jersey Boys
- Click to Book Tickets Now: Jersey Boys
- The many personas of Olivia Newton-John play out at Flamingo
- Possible UNLV stadium seen as host for six annual events
Las Vegas Economy And Real Estate
- Las Vegas, Nevada is in the Top 10 Best Cities to Start a Business
- Area Home Sales Drastically Slow in February
- Las Vegas economy trails all other metros since recession
- Laughlin: The town the recovery forgot
Dining, Drinking, And
Other Recreational Activities
Guy Fieri Makes Official Las Vegas Arrival At The Quad To Launch “Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen And Bar” – Chef, restaurateur, New York Times Best-Selling author and Emmy Award-winning TV host Guy Fieri made a grand entrance at his first Las Vegas restaurant, Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar.
Fans of Fieri were in attendance as Guy manned the grill cooking up his signature Bacon Mac-N-Cheese Burger.
- Full story/details/info: Guy Fieri Arrives At The Quad To Launch “Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen And Bar”
UNLVino Celebrates Founders With Re-Imagined Grand Tasting Event – Hundreds Of Premium Beverages, Top Vegas Restaurants, Live Entertainment! – To celebrate its 40th anniversary and pioneering visionaries, UNLVino, Nevada’s original wine festival, will host the largest Grand Tasting celebration in its history. The event will introduce a completely re-imagined, immersive culinary experience that brings together the best of the Las Vegas community.
- Full story/details/info: UNLVino Celebrates Founders With Re-Imagined Grand Tasting Event
- Las Vegas lays out tough rules for medical pot businesses (with video)
- Hop On Over To Trevi This Easter For Food And Drink Specials
- Wicked Vicky Tavern Introduces Wickedly-Good New Menu Items At Riviera
- Three Years is a Magic Number for Downtown Las Vegas’ Insert Coin(s) Arcade Bar
- Cheer For New Beer At Commonwealth In Downtown Las Vegas
Gambling And Gaming
- Does 4-Coin Slot Machine Hit Jackpot More Frequently Than 3-Coin Machine?
- Gambling Now Everywhere At Cosmopolitan Hotel
- Venetian And Palazzo Make The Move To 6:5 Blackjack
Las Vegas Hotels
Riviera Continues April 2014 Food, Beverage, And Gaming Promotions – Guests and Riviera Rewards members of the iconic Riviera Hotel & Casino are invited to take advantage of the great food, beverage and gaming promotions available in March including $3 drinks, $2 beers, and $1 blackjack.
- Full story/details/info: Riviera’s April Food, Beverage, And Gaming Promotions
- As megaresort trend fades, companies focus on luxury in ‘small’ settings
- SLS Las Vegas to unveil new pool playground and nightclub Life
- At Venetian, da Vinci Returns With Less Art, More Inventions
- The 6Cs of The Cromwell: Champagne, Caviar, Cocktails, Coffee, Cotton Candy and Cosmetics
- Cosmopolitan billboard to start flashing love notes
More Las Vegas News
Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays
- Easter Las Vegas 2014 (April 20)
- Kentucky Derby Weekend Las Vegas 2014 (May 2-4)
- Cinco de Mayo Weekend Las Vegas 2014 (May 2-5)
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! – Hello from a very “summery” Las Vegas, where daytime highs have gotten just a bit into the 90’s F (32C) this week. We have a couple more days of this unusually warm weather before we settle back into the 80’s (26-31C). I feel that it is safe to tell you to leave the jacket and home and pack a swimsuit if pool time is part of your Las Vegas adventure.
Best Of Voting In Progress – Last Sunday, you should have received an email noting that our Best Of Las Vegas “Best Hotel” voting is now open. We’re in the first round of the Play-In Round round. The Play-In Round is where second tier hotels are vying to win a chance to be one of the 64 properties which go up against each other once we get to the main round.
Here are the brackets for current match-ups:
AccessVegas.com Best Of Las Vegas
Play-In Round Bracket
If you have not voted yet, what are you waiting for? Head over and vote now!
We’ll soon be adding more categories like buffets, steakhouses, attractions, and more. If you have any suggestions for categories you’d like to see us do a “Best Of” on, please drop us a note at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com
Important Note: We will not be doing a “Best Show” category. Five of the absolute very best shows in Las Vegas help support us with advertising: Absinthe, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, Rock Of Ages, and Terry Fator (Mamma Mia! was a smash hit here before, and we know it will be once again). We would not want to be accused of rigging the voting. One of the things we’re very proud of with our “playoff system” way of voting is that YOU decide. We’re not pulling strings behind the scenes.
Virgin River Gorge Update – Last year, we suggested that those of you with access to a car (or who were willing to rent one), drive north of town through Arizona’s stunningly beautiful Virgin River Gorge. It is truly one of the most scenic parts of the U.S. interstate highway system and less than two hours north of us. Make a morning of it, and you can grab lunch at do some gambling in Mesquite (a very friendly three-casino town about 80 miles to our north) on your way back and, still arrive in Vegas with plenty of time for a nap, dinner, and a full evening.
Except um… don’t for the next 2-3 years. The seven sets of aging bridges in the gorge are getting replaced, and traffic will be one lane each way in sections, clogging up that stretch of interstate. (Read more at Long waits are here for travelers using I-15 through Virgin River Canyon gorge).
For our friends from Utah, Colorado and other points north and east who use I-15 to visit us? Here’s the little secret: Before I-15 was built through the gorge, Highway 91 was the main road from L.A. to Salt Lake City. (The Vegas Strip was once part of it). And… Highway 91 still exists as a well maintained road, bypassing the gorge!
Let everybody else blindly get stuck in the construction mess. A detour over old 91 around the construction mess is only 9 miles longer, but you’ll have plenty of clear sailing. It will most likely just be you and some savvy locals. Here’s the Google Map for the suggested detour.
Not Renting a car and still want to spend a morning (or afternoon) checking out the amazing scenery here in the southwest? Hop on over to our AccessVegas.com Tours Page and you’ll find tours to Red Rock Canyon (just outside of town), Valley Of Fire (you’ll think you are on another planet) and The Grand Canyon!
Membership Update – Last week, we opened up a special pre-enrollment for our paid newsletter membership program launching July 1, 2014. Since some tend to let our newsletters build up and then read through them all as their trip date gets closer, this will be news to some of you. Each week, we’ll be running this info until we launch.
Paid subscribers will get the newsletter with less advertising, a special members area of well-organized deals (which will make it pay for itself), and exclusive notes, tips, and inside scoops for having a great vacation here which will not be made available to those on the free subscriber list.
We are limiting the early pre-enrollment price of $14.95 to the first 1000 people. You can find all the details in the Members Mania section of our April 2, 2014 issue (link to click).
IMPORTANT NOTE: The $14.95 price will be available until we let you know in a future newsletter. Some were worried about paying if they didn’t know whether they’d be among the first 1000. Bottom line: Grab it while we’re still making it available. We’ll let you know right here when it ends, and modify the April 2 issue to remove the option once no longer available.
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
- The Food At The Julian Serrano Restaurant Inside Aria – Julian Serrano stretches the boundaries of small plates and introduces guests to delectable interpretations of his native Spanish fare. Gather for lunch or dinner in an environment that rivals the energy of the innovative cuisine served. From the detailed dÚcor to the hot tapas, flavor is abundant.
- Cocktail Recipes Demonstrated At Fizz Las Vegas Inside Caesars Palace – Take a peek inside this relatively new, gilded, upscale mixology and champagne bar, Fizz inside Caesars Palace.
- More Footage Of The Las Vegas Strip – Now At Night – From Summer, 1992! – Producers Notes: Here is some more footage of the Las Vegas Strip, now shot at night, from 31 floors up at the Stardust! Shot in late July, 1992, shot on hi-8.
Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!
Regarding your article about the changing face of Vegas:
So true, my first experience was in the late 80s and it left an great impression on me. But it was another 20 odd years for my second visit, again it was great, a lot of buzz, hummer giveaways at every corner, loose slots, huge and varied buffets and generally everybody was laughing and having a great time.
Now over the last ten years have been back every second year and there is no comparison of 10 years. Have stayed at the Luxor when it was a Egyptian themed casino and it was great, now well it doesn’t know what it wants to be, terrible. Yes, accommodations are cheaper, but a lot of the glitz and spirit has left town.
Now I stay at a varied accommodation throughout Vegas and one is Circus Circus for nostalgia value! I went to “Slots-O-Fun”… My god, has it changed. It used to be full of people playing the table games now it is automated, hardly anybody in there, dead and boring.
The buffets have shrunk, food is still good and I suppose the price is still good. Shows are great, no doubt about that. Coming from Australia, there is no comparison on the quality.
Last but not least, it is hard to win or even break even, and no what people say, a huge reason people travel from all over the world is to say they have gambled and had a great time in Vegas.
Will be coming over next year, but with more of an emphasis on sightseeing, more shows and less gambling. Comps aren’t really worth it.
Cheers,
Manny
Ted Responds:
The various rewards cards (especially by the two big boys) are finally tuned machines that psychologically really get people chasing comps. No doubt about that. If one is going to do some serious gambling, and don’t get me wrong: Soak up all the comps you can. But never lose sight of the fact that comps are based on a percentage of what you lose over time. Except for a few video poker pros, there is no way to overcome that percentage. Gamble for fun, take what they offer.
Gaming revenue continues to become a smaller and smaller part of the revenue stream here. It will be interesting if we reach a tipping point where enough people have reduced their gambling budget to where we see the intense competition for the gaming dollar like we used to. Where did all of those “We Have Loose Slots” neon signs from the past go? For now, everyone is being sucked into the themed games with the rumbling chairs, special bonus rounds, and the like. They are no doubt entertaining, just so long as you know that you are paying (sometimes dearly) for the entertainment!
We do feel that your dollar is better spent on shows, tours, attractions, and the like. Do you want to go home and tell people about all the money you lost in the slots, or tell them how you flew down into the Grand Canyon! When you get a ticket to a top show, you KNOW that you are going to get a set amount of value and enjoyment (and plenty to tell your friends about).
It will be interesting to watch the changing face of Las Vegas, and see how people respond. I wish the boring corporate suits running the town would glitz it back up again also!
Just love the story about home values in Las Vegas. Thanks for telling it like it is. I was wondering if you know what happened to Johnny Carson’s home? It is at 3333 Seminole Circle. Last I heard, it was not occupied. Not too far from The Sahara, where Johhny was king in the 60’s and 70’s.
Thanks for the good stuff.
Jim from San Diego
Ted Responds:
We noted it a couple months ago (maybe a little more). It does not appear to be for sale, although lots of empty homes in Las Vegas are still pre-foreclosure. (The bank simply has not started foreclosure proceedings yet, but nobody lives there and no one is paying a mortgage).
It sits right in that sweet spot along the east side of Maryland Parkway that I talked about recently. Super close to tons of shopping and day-to-day living needs, about 3 miles from the center of The Strip by car, and along Desert Inn which gives easy non-stop access to the west side of town (The Strip is a tough dividing line to cross because of traffic), and in an area of some very attractive mid-century modern homes.
I go right by it on the way to my chiropractor, so I will make it a point to stop by and have a look-see next time. Google Maps image of the properly is from 2011, so who knows what it looks like now?
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 April 2, 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
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
Book Absinthe Las Vegas Tickets Now
Book Jersey Boys Las Vegas Tickets Now
Book George Wallace Las Vegas Tickets Now
Book Jubilee Las Vegas Tickets Now
Book Divorce Party Las Vegas Tickets Now
Book Thunder From Down Under Las Vegas Tickets Now
Dining In Las Vegas
Hop Into La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway Wynn Las Vegas For Brunch This Easter – No egg hunting will be necessary this Easter. La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway at Wynn Las Vegas will offer a delicious butler-style all-you-can-eat brunch on Sunday, April 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Priced at $48 per adult and $28 per child, guests will celebrate the holiday with an unlimited amount of Easter favorites prepared by Corporate Executive Chef Billy DeMarco. The brunch menu includes: corn flake crusted brioche French toast, New York style egg sandwiches, angus mini burgers, baked potato loaded tater tots with brown gravy, eggs benedict with chorizo, Canadian bacon or filet, veal short rib hash, pancakes with berry compote, and bacon and chorizo sausage cups. For an additional $20, guests may enjoy bottomless beverages including mimosas, sangria, sparkling wine, Bloody MaryÆs with TitoÆs vodka, build-your-own mojitos with SammyÆs Beach Bar Rum or Caipirinhas with Leblon Cachaþa.
- Full story/details/info: Hop Into La Cave For Brunch This Easter
Downtown / Fremont Street Experience
Las Vegas Attractions
Linq Las Vegas
Click to see concerts and headliners performing at Brooklyn Bowl At Linq Las Vegas
Las Vegas Economy And Real Estate
Duuuuude!
Party Party Party
More Las Vegas News
- Las Vegas says goodbye to Jackie Gaughan (with video)
- Hairstyles of the rich and famous (with video)
Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays
- March Madness Las Vegas 2014 (Now – April 7)
- Easter Las Vegas 2014 (April 20)
- Cinco de Mayo Weekend Las Vegas 2014 (May 2-5)
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 always tell you about all the great weather we have, so I must also confess that this week is chilly with plenty of wind and some recent light drizzle. Average high here for April is 78 degrees (26C), and we’ve been 20 degrees below that (14C) for a couple of days. Fortunately, we’re bouncing back into the 70’s F (20’s C) over the weekend and we may hit 90 later next week. (If I had my way, it would be 90 [32C] for a high and 60 [16C] for a low all year long).
The Linq-Mobile Is Open! – Over the weekend, Caesars Entertainment tested the ride by giving employees and press a free spin. We usually get all the great invites. I wonder if we were looked over because of our insistence of calling it the Linq-Mobile!
Officially now open to the public, the “High Roller Observation Wheel” is currently the tallest in the world and quite striking on the skyline. As we anticipated, views are limited during the beginning and end of the ride (you are looking at the back of hotels, although if you turn around you can enjoy our stunning Sunrise Mountains). However, once you are up, you have a mid-strip view that The Stratosphere can’t beat.
Tickets are $25 until 6PM and $35 for night rides. I would expect that 6 PM price increase to float depending on the time of year. They can’t charge for a night flight at 6 PM with a 9 PM summer sunset here.
The biggest complaint so far doesn’t happen to be that each pod holds 40 people. These things are a lot bigger than they look. The problem is having 40 people wanting what amounts to a handful of amazing window areas (once again, unless you are a super-big fan of East Las Vegas and Sunrise Mountain, a view you’ll likely have to yourself).
Unlike most attractions just about anywhere, you can booze on the ride. How Vegas! You must buy it at the adjacent bar before boarding (can’t bring it from elsewhere). And, there are no restrooms up there at 550 feet. So, go before you board, and don’t be having a beer chugging contest. We have a linq link to some great video in our What We’re Watching section.
Real Estate – About once per year, I do a real-estate rundown for those of you thinking (or dreaming) about buying a house in Las Vegas. I do this because a serious amount of Las Vegas information on the internet is produced by people NOT actually in Las Vegas. As a 21-year resident, whose family was in home construction many moons ago, I keep up on it. If this isn’t your cup of tea, you know how to scroll on a webpage. Here you go:
Living On The Strip? The recent article Veer Towers releases condos caught my eye. The Veer Towers are those towers at CityCenter that look like they are tipping over. My advice? If you are looking to live the “Las Vegas Strip” lifestyle, either as a permanent or semi-permanent (staying long stretches at a time) resident, then hop across the freeway from CityCenter and check out Panorama Towers, where around 1/2 million dollars will get you upwards of 1500 sq. ft.: http://goo.gl/maps/KHCpW
You won’t have to fight CityCenter, Strip traffic, and noise. You are more likely to have permanent residents as your neighbors (including a few big-name pro poker players), and have easy back-door access to all of the locals’ necessities (groceries, shops, dry cleaners, restaurants, fast food, liquor stores, etc) located along Tropicana Avenue. You also actually have a view of The Strip, instead of being engulfed in it.
Where To Live In Las Vegas? – It’s been quite a while since we talked about moving here, and we know that we always have a fair slice of readers at least dreaming about it! Now that the economy here is finally picking up a little bit, this is a good time to think about it before more people become eligible to buy homes again, which will have an upward pressure on prices.
I do want to dispel a popular myth: The notion that since Las Vegas is the place you “escape” to, living here will kind of ruin it for you. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If you are happily married, do you want your spouse living far away from you so that each time you see them, you’ll be enjoying an escape? Provided you know how to enjoy yourself in moderation with the booze and gambling, having the “escape” right outside your back door is really, really nice. And living here, you actually aren’t as compelled to go nuts on the vices.
The Las Vegas Valley is 25 miles long and 20 miles wide. And, every Realtor who moved here during the boom will attempt to tell you that their little slice of a foreclosure-laden, distant suburb is where you want to be. Which may be true if you are raising a family and life revolves around grilling on your back patio (something you can generally enjoy mid-March through mid-October).
However, we’re seeing a striking mix of both younger and active-mature people really gravitate towards areas closer into downtown and/or stretching along the east side of the Maryland Parkway area all the way down toward UNLV. The revitalization of downtown has happened, and the smart money says that the general UNLV/Maryland corridor will do the same. The Boulevard Mall (Las Vegas’ oldest real mall) is in that area, and just announced a major upgrade. It appears that sooner or later, UNLV will get a 50,000 seat stadium. How cool to be able to walk to major sporting events!
Note: Toward the end of last year, after strongly considering the UNLV area for a home purchase, I decided on a more of a downtown-centric location near Oakey and Valley View. I’m 3.5 miles from downtown and 3.2 miles from the dead center of The Strip. But… consider the business I’m in.
Living closer in means looking at an older home (unless you want to scope out some still-available empty lots and build on one). For some of you, that is a plus and remodeling and fixing it up to be exactly what you want can be a great project. And frankly, you’re getting a home that was probably build much better than some of the properties thrown up during the boom. I know numerous people who had warranty repairs on homes bought in the 2000’s.
The downside? Neighborhoods can still be a little hit and miss as the general downtown area gentrifies. By the way, “downtown” living usually refers to everything north of Sahara Avenue to US-95, and from Valley View to Eastern Avenue.
Who should you turn to (if/when you become serious about the move)? “Uncle” Jack Lavine. This isn’t a paid endorsement. (Nothing in this section ever is). Jack has lived in Las Vegas since the 80’s, and has been a long-time downtown resident. He doesn’t just try to shove you into a house ASAP to collect his commission. He’s quick to point out plusses and negatives of various neighborhoods and properties. And, he can give you an honest assessment of what living in the REAL Vegas is all about. Check him out at Very Vintage Vegas. If you contact him, tell him that Ted says hello!
Best Of Voting Launches Sunday – As promised, we’re about to unleash a super-fun way to vote for the best hotel in Las Vegas. (Voting on other categories will commence soon). We’ll have a special email sent to you Sunday with the details and the link so that you can make your voice heard.
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
- First Look At The World-Record Las Vegas “High Roller” Observation Wheel – It’s now open, and the views are spectacular!
- MAMMA MIA! Returns To Las Vegas – Great local news story filling you in on all the details of this great, feel-good show with a long history of happy Las Vegas audiences. Tickets are available now! Click for MAMMA MIA! Las Vegas Tickets
- Payard Bistro At Caesars Palace – Join Sous Chef Patrick Clemens as he prepares a braised lamb shank. Then visit Old Homestead Steakhouse as Executive Chef Michael Gill (also at Caesars Palace) features a dry-aged, 2′ thick, 34oz. steak cooked on a 1500 degree boiler!
Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!
Normally, this is the area we feature reader email and feedback and answer lots of questions and give plenty of helpful advice. Which generates even more email with people telling us how much they enjoyed the advice and how much fun they had on their trip!
Over the past couple of years, I’ve noted that sooner or later, we were going to have to move to a paid subscription model. The response was generally very supportive. Most of you feel that between just the time you save knowing what is really going on in Vegas (without having to spend 50 hours a week online researching it all yourself) and the money saved from the various deals we point you to, paying a membership fee to help us along is a no-brainer.
Answers to questions:
Why Now? – This newsletter started out as a two page publication. Those days are long gone, and Vegas continues to grow year after year. We’ve gotten to the point that publishing this is infringing on our ability to do an amazing job with our main AccessVegas.com. We don’t have the budget to continue to subsidize the newsletter properly.
What Will You Do With The Membership Money? – Buy really expensive sports cars for all of our staff! (Sorry staff… April Fools). We’re going to add staffing so that we can not only continue what we’re doing with the newsletter, but create a members-only web area where we post more tips and more deals and more specials in a better organized fashion. More staff will allow that. Doing research and web development is not cheap.
How Much Will The Membership Cost? – We plan to launch July 1, asking $23.95 per year. Or… essentially, we’re asking you to buy us and our staff (and the added staff) one cup of decent coffee per month. Just like you’d be happy to do if we met, talked Vegas and shared advice with you over a cup of coffee. Consider the newsletter our “virtual coffee meet-up”!
How sure are we that it will be worth it to you? Check out our…
Double For Nothing Guarantee – If during the first year of membership, you absolutely don’t think that the time and money our information saves you is worth more than the membership fee we’re asking, we’ll EXTEND your subscription for a year at no additional cost. This includes those of you who subscribe but don’t visit during the first year. Second year on us. We want you to get the value you pay for.
What Happens If I Don’t Purchase A Membership? – You will continue to receive the newsletter. However…
It will have much more advertising* and we’ll have the save the really good insider info and tips and deals for the paid members who are helping us afford the staffing to hunt them down and list them in an easy-to-use manner. Newkirk’s Notes and Members Mania will also mostly move to the membership newsletter only. Having more staffing will allow me the time to continue to do those and do an even better job!
* Paid subscribers will see a reduction in advertising promotion featured in their version of the newsletter.
Early Enrollment Discount – – While we launch July 1, We’re going to offer $19.95 enrollment through July 1 (for memberships starting July 1) to our current loyal readers. That is a saving of over 16%.
This is for the people who say “Ted, you and your staff’s info has been incredible, it has been so helpful in the past, we know it will be so helpful in the future, and we’re happy to take advantage of the $19.95 early membership deal” (which happens to be 16% off, and your membership won’t start until July 1, giving you a full year of enjoyment).
This will “kick start” our hiring and membership projects and I will send a personal “thank you” email to every single contributor for those who sign-up before July 1.
Regular Enrollment Now Open – Click Here!
http://www.accessvegas.com/membership
NOTE: You do not need to be a PayPal member to sign up! PayPal is simply our merchant account through publisher Ted Newkirk.
Thank you so much for your support! I’m so looking forward to the great fun we’re going to have in the future and all of the amazing, improved information that we’ll be able to source and sort for you, assuring that every single Las Vegas trip you take is the absolute best, most informed and enjoyable possible.
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 March 19, 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 |
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Shows, Concerts, And Headliners
Canadian Gold Medalists Kaillie Humphries And Meghan Agosta-Marciano Attend Rock Of Ages – 2014 Olympic Gold Medalists Kaillie Humphries of the Canadian bobsleigh team and Meghan Agosta-Marciano of the Canadian hockey team attended Rock of Ages Thursday evening, March 13 at The Venetian. Following the performance, Humphries and Agosta-Marciano joined Rock of Ages cast member Mark Shunock -formerly of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada – backstage for a photo and to share their enthusiasm for the show. Agosta-Marciano also shared her sentiments in a tweet saying, “Had an amazing night tn with Bobsled Kaillie at Rock of Ages thanks cast for taking the time to meet us.”
- Full story/details/info: Canadian Gold Medalists Kaillie Humphries And Meghan Agosta-Marciano Attend Rock Of Ages
- Click to Book Tickets Now: Rock Of Ages
- Terry Fator’s fifth-anniversary show is packed with laughs from current events
- Style Profile: Carrot Top
- Zarkana fast, lively but lacks point of distinction
March Madness Las Vegas 2014
- PBR Rock Bar Scores With March Mayhem Open Bar Specials
- Rhumbar To Score With March Hoops Mayhem
- Las Vegas sportsbooks bet on big crowds for March Madness (with video)
- Las Vegas is heaven for NCAA tourney watchers and bettors
- Vegas tourism expected to have a record month
- A City of Madness, Bypassed by the N.C.A.A.
- Media catching on to Madness in Las Vegas
Drinking, Dining, And Dancing In Las Vegas
Celebrate 40 Fabulous Years Of UNLVino With Celebrity Chefs And Cocktail Pairings – Time to celebrate 40 fabulous years! UNLVino returns April 9-12, 2014 with four days of fantastic functions to celebrate its 40th anniversary as Nevada’s original wine event. The 40th UNLVino will be a demonstration in gastronomic excellence as four main events take place across the famed Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas. Beverage enthusiasts and foodies alike will sample wines, spirits, craft beers and cuisine prepared by some of the city’s most beloved chefs and mixologists. This year’s events will elevate guests’ experiences, including:
- Full story/details/info: UNLVino With Celebrity Chefs And Cocktail Pairings
- Guy Fieri chooses name for his first Las Vegas restaurant
- Double Barrel Promises Big Flavors, But Does It Deliver?
- No Frills at The Commissary New Downtown Grand Hotel spot is simple but good
- Pop The Bubbly, But Check Your Wallet First at FIZZ
- An Hour From The Strip, A Winery Awaits
Las Vegas Fun And Attractions
- Viva Las Vegas: Neon Garage unlike any other (with photos)
- First riders say El Loco roller coaster lives up to its name
- Bikini tops drop as pool season opens; Daniel Boulud Brasserie confirmed; SHM film
More Las Vegas News
- A Weekend At The Wyndham Grand Desert
- Las Vegas is one of the selfiest [self-photo] cities in the world
- Trump Would Like To Remind You It Still Has Condos For Sale
Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays
- Spring Break Las Vegas 2014 (March 1-31)
- March Madness Las Vegas 2014 (March 18 – April 7)
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! – As I write this, Las Vegas is buzzing from March Madness. Four days of (mostly) testosterone-fueled, morning-until-night college basketball viewing and betting has been complimented by incredible high-70’s F (25C +/-) weather and perfect, cool evenings. Next weekend looks to be almost as much fun as the college basketball playoffs get into the “Sweet 16” and the 10 day weather outlook calls for more of out same flawless spring weather!
Best Of Update – We were hoping to launch our March Madness inspired Best Of Las Vegas voting today, but are ironing out a couple of glitches. We’re working them out and excited to get this going!
Don’t Visit During The Big Holidays – That is, if you want to save money and have some elbow room. The long Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends make them a very tempting time to visit for many, because you are using one fewer vacation day while spending the same amount of time here. The problem is that so is everyone else. In addition, those times are very popular among Californians who drive over.
The end result? You are paying higher rates for room and airfare, AND standing in longer lines and dealing with bigger crowds, which wastes valuable “Vegas Time”. If you are going to wrap your stay around a weekend and have some flexibility, the rule of thumb is to simply check rates to find the less busy weekends. You’ll enjoy lower room rates and a little more elbow room. Really want elbow room and low rates? Visit the week leading up to Christmas!
Innovative Check-Out – I’ve always been frustrated by hotel check-in/check-out times. I tend to arrive at my destinations later in the evening and schedule late departures so that I can get the most out of the last day. The Palms is now offering a true 24 hour day for each stay booked in the Premier King and Queen, Superior King and Queen, or Ivory Suite rooms. IE, if you check in at 10 PM, the room is yours until 10 PM on the day of your check-out. This is only available at The Palms official website, available here: Palms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online
Note: If you do book through that link, we get a modest commission. However, I’m talking about it because I simply really like the idea and hope it catches on!
Trains To Nowhere Updates – We’ve reported off-and-on about two attempts to link Southern California with Las Vegas by rail. Updates:
- The X-Train is a conventional style train which would run on existing tracks from Fullerton, CA (where it hooks up with operating Amtrak and Metrolink lines serving all of Southern California). This “party train” concept would have comfortable seats, wi-fi, two lounge cars showing sporting events and similar. Unfortunately for now, they can’t seem to get the final permission needed to run the train on Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks that help link the two areas.
- Desert Express is a high-speed rail project from Las Vegas to Victorville and Palmdale, CA. From where it is supposed to link up into Los Angeles via a proposed high-speed train from Los Angeles to San Francisco. No ground has been broken, and the latest report that I head noted that scheduled completion for the LA-San Fran line is 2029 (15 long years from now). Don’t hold your breath.
Silver Sevens $7.77 Specials – We talk quite a bit about high end and theme dining. However, we know a dedicated segment of our readers rent a car and/or aren’t afraid to venture off The Strip for specials. Currently, Silver Sevens (formerly Terribles, exactly 1 mile east of The Strip on Flamingo) currently offers some really great dining specials.
$7.77 will get you any of the following:
- Half-Rack of Baby Back Ribs, 12 chicken wings, and Fries
- South-of-the Boarder Sampler Platter featuring Nachos, Flautas, Quesadillas & Taquitos
- Chinese Chicken Salad
- Bucket of 4 Domestic Beers
- Pitcher of Long Island Ice Tea
To put the distance in perspective, it is the same distance as Bally’s to MGM Grand. A cheap cab ride, and walkable for anyone in decent health. Hint: If you walk it, detour into Ellis Island at Koval and Tuscany a few blocks shy of Silver Sevens. Might as well make a three-fer out of it! As always, we encourage you to call ahead to check availably of any specials.
Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler
Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley
What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy
- High Roller Lights Up – The LINQ – The LINQ features 30 retail, dining and entertainment venues. Phase one opened at the end of 2013 with six outlets including O’Sheas Casino and Purple Zebra. Phase two is now open. Thousands of crews are hard at work to get everything done as the April deadline draws near for the planned opening of the High Roller observation wheel.
- X-Scream Ride On Las Vegas Stratosphere – See the ride that dares takes you over the edge of the side of the Stratosphere Tower and dares to “nearly” drop you into infinity. Beautiful shot of Las Vegas at dusk.
- Las Vegas Footage From Summer 1992 – Notes by video producer: Here is some beautiful footage I shot of Las Vegas in the summer of 1992, while there for my first VSDA show. This first segment has video shot from our room at the Stardust, 31 floors up, looking down on the Strip and beyond! This was shot on Hi-8.
Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!
Note: Today we’re sharing a couple of the many great emails we received when we asked people to tell us about their 2014 Vegas plans!
Our plans for Las Vegas this year is to try and get there twice! My husband and I meet up with friends from Minnesota (we are from Albany, Ohio) in June. This will be our fourth year to do so if all goes as planned – and the budget works out for all of us.
We usually stay 5 nights and we always make time for the newbie things to do/go see. So we hope to see the “new” downtown Grand and also visit the Linq shops and the big wheel on the strip if they are open when we get there. We have tried the zip line and hope the newer version is up and running when we return as well! We don’t always stay in the same place, though we do prefer the strip so we don’t have to drive around at night (in case we want to relax and not get a DUI) and can casino hop if one place gets too stale.
The energy is awesome in Las Vegas, so we try to casino hop as much as we can. We have also visited the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, Rick’s Restoration and Danny Koker’s auto shop (which is a must see if you like autos!!!) which is something to do out of the norm of regular tours/casinos/shopping.
I usually get to go a second time when the Girls Only trip happens in July. Yea, it’s a hot time to be there, but we laugh in spite of ourselves and have a wonderful time just the same! Hey, it’s Vegas Baby!!
We really enjoy the newsletter, so keep up the good work!
Best in 2014,
Sharon from Ohio
Ted Responds:
Last week, we posted a walk-through of the Linq project in our What We’re Watching area. Next week we will have a quick 2 minute walk-through of Downtown Grand for everyone.
For those missing the old Lady Luck, don’t hold your breath. The new DTG has more of an urban, boutique property feel to it, and things are not overly cheap. So, it is worth the look but don’t expect to be overly wowed.
As usual, our advice on visiting Gold and Silver Pawn is to go later to avoid the lines. The public is welcome until 9 PM.
I have not done Count’s Kustoms yet and keep telling myself we need to get over and take a look-see and get some photos for everyone! I almost have no excuse as the shop is less than 2 miles from my house!
After the winter that much of the nation is having, you may just learn a new appreciation for our hot summers here. The second winter I was here, we had a terrible cold snap and I was down on Fremont Street about about 2 AM in 24 degree weather with strong winds. And I owned a heavy coat at that time! I swore that I would never, ever complain about the summer heat again. And, I never have. 110 doesn’t make your body numb and bite at our skin.
Our sixth visit to Vegas will be the 1st to 15th May 2014 but this will be a bit special. My wife (Rayah) and I are both English but we live in Spain (for 10 years) so have to make the trip back to UK in order to get a decent price flight with Virgin Atlantic—-flights from Spain cost a fortune.
Anyway it will be our 3rd stay at the Flamingo, mainly because it is very central and two 60+ year olds need all the help they can when walking around is involved!!!
This year will be very special as my wife will meet up with her 2 sisters and they will be together for the very first time. Both her sisters were born and live in Canada and were unknown to us until 2 years ago, we have met one in Toronto and one in Winnipeg but never have they been together in the same place and as it our favourite place in the world we chose Vegas for this very special event.
She can’t wait until May for this emotional meeting and what a great place to do it!!!!
Thanks for your excellent newsletter, I look forward to it and use the information a great deal.
Regards
Bob & Rayah from Malaga, Spain
Ted Responds:
I appreciate all of our visitors, but especially those of you who come from such long distances and put in the time and expense to come visit our little slice of fantasy that we call home.
Thanks for sharing the heartwarming story of the pending reunion. Las Vegas is a great place for families to get together because there is so much to do, see, and enjoy. Thanksgiving in Las Vegas has grown extremely popular as far-flung families all gather together and no one has to cook or clean up the mess. My brother is sneaking down here for a few days this week and I’m looking forward to it!
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 March 12, 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.
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AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:
Las Vegas Essentials |
Featured Shows |
Check out Access Vegas on Google+
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…
St. Patrick’s Day Las Vegas 2014
Trevi At Caesars Palace Celebrates The Luck Of The Italians With Food And Drink Specials On St. Patrick’s Day – TREVI Italian Restaurant, located at the heart of The Forum Shops inside Caesars, will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with food and drink specials exclusively on Monday, Mar. 17.
Executive Chef Peter Scaturro will serve the fettuccine al pesto con gamberi for a lucky price of $24.95. The delectable dish consists of fettuccine tossed with sautÚed shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts and basil in a green pesto cream sauce.
Pastry Chef Hank Sbraccia will go green with a creamy pistachio gelato accompanied by a Pirouette cookie, priced at $4.50 per scoop. The ‘Kiss Me, I’m Italian’ sour apple cocktail will also be offered as a holiday special for $9.
- Full story/details/info: Trevi Celebrates The Luck Of The Italians With Food And Drink Specials On St. Patrick’s Day
- PBR Rock Bar Feels Pinch-Proof This St. Patrick’s Day
- Rockhouse Gets Drunk On Luck This St. Patrick’s Day With Deals
- Social House Features Shamrock Social Hour March 14-17
- The Ultimate St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Celtic Feis Returns To New York-New York Hotel
- RÝ Rß St. Patrick’s Day Events And March Listings
- St Patrick’s Day Las Vegas At New York, New York, Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo and Mirage
Drinking, Dining, And Dancing In Las Vegas
Exclusive Chef’s Table At Bellagio Buffet Elevates Las Vegas Buffet Experience – With the introduction of the first Chef’s Table within a buffet, Bellagio once again raises the bar in buffet dining. This unique V.I.P. table experience includes a skilled chef team that pampers guests from beginning to end, preparing the finest culinary dishes tableside. Upon arrival to Bellagio Buffet, guests will bypass the main line and go to the front entrance of the restaurant where they are greeted and escorted to the Chef’s Table. Bellagio Buffet chefs welcome the group as they are seated and describe the assorted seasonal fruits, varieties of fresh house-baked breads and selections of canapÚs displayed on the luxurious table.
- Full story/details/info: Exclusive Chef’s Table At Bellagio Buffet Elevates Las Vegas Buffet Experience
PBR Rock Bar Inside Planet Hollywood Rolls Out New Happy Hour Specials – Strip-side visitors can revel in new happy hour specials, now available at PBR Rock Bar & Grill inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, the party destination offers food and drink specials every Monday through Friday from 2 until 6 p.m.
Hungry patrons can enjoy delicious small plates, priced at $5 each, including French bread margherita pizza, strawberries with balsamic and goat cheese, guacamole with flour tortilla chips and onion rings. Priced at $7 each, additional menu selections include fried pickles, pork sliders, tomato soup with grilled cheese dippers and PBR Rock Bar’s famous Dorito mac ‘n’ cheese.
- Full story/details/info: PBR Rock Bar Rolls Out New Happy Hour Specials
Cabo Wabo Cantina Inside Planet Hollywood Introduces New Flavorful Dishes – Cabo Wabo Cantina has introduced five new menu items with more of a Baja twist inspired by the flagship restaurant and bar in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The savory selections are created and prepared by Executive Chef Tacho Kneeland. Queso fundido con chorizo is a new starter and is cooked with three kinds of Mexican cheeses melted on a skillet with the restaurant’s house chorizo and is accompanied by fresh warm tortillas and salsa, priced at $10.95.
- Full story/details/info: Cabo Wabo Cantina Introduces New Flavorful Dishes
- Flaunt Your New Spring Looks at These 6 Las Vegas Rooftops (with photos)
- Offbeat touches add opportunities to Tender steakhouse at Luxor
- Creativity abounds at Ernesto Zendejas’ Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar at Linq
Las Vegas Art And Attractions
- “Da Vinci The Exhibition” Arrives At The Venetian
- Scale the Stratosphere? No, thanks, I’ll see you by the elevator (with video)
- Glimpse into past at Clark County Museum
- Mountains Edge, Providence hit top 10 list
- Las Vegas sex museum goes dormant after operators’ relationship sours
Shows, Concerts, And Headliners
Las Vegas Hotels
- A Quickie Construction Update In Seven Snapshots (with photos)
- Victor Drai’s at Cromwell will be ‘the most beautiful nightclub you have ever seen’
- Becker, Wynn, Blackhurst: Women describe their days as Nevada gaming leaders
- Quad Room Remodel To Begin Within ‘Weeks’
- The Cromwell Will Not Have A Sportsbook… Or Poker Room
Of Interest To The Las Vegas Tourist
- If the front desk calls your room and asks for your credit card – DON’T!
- TSA opening Pre-Check enrollment center at McCarran (with video)
- Evolution of the marquee: Big, bright, vertical screens are taking over the Strip
- Taxicab Authority officers say they’re not allowed to fully enforce the law
- Las Vegas weekend trips for first-timers
- Space-tourism enterprise opens office in Las Vegas
March Madness Las Vegas 2014
- Basketball Madness Takes Over The Cosmopolitan At Hoops & Hops Inside The Chelsea
- Rockhouse Slam-Dunks March Mayhem Open Bar Specials
- Slam Dunk March Madness Offerings At MGM Resorts
- Dribble Down To The 5th Annual Downtown Hoopstown At Fremont Street Experience – Celebrate With Basketball-Themed Events And Attractions Through April 8, 2014
March Madness AND St. Paddy’s AND Spring Break AND More March Events & Specials
- Celebrate March Madness and St. Patrick’s Day with Special Events and Promotions at California and Main Street Station
- Cabo Wabo Cantina Throws Patio Parties During March Mayhem And Spring Break
- Newest Hash House A Go Go Location Engages Rio Entertainers In A Pancake Competition For Charity
- Celebrate National Sauce Month With ‘Pick Your Pasta, Pick Your Sauce’ Menu At Trevi At Caesars Palace
- NASCAR Weekend photos: LVMS practice sessions; Joey Logano wins pole; Claire Sinclair, Marie Osmond
- Celebrate March Madness and St. Patrick’s Day with Special Events and Promotions at The Orleans
- Cabo Wabo Cantina Inside Planet Hollywood Hosts Knockout UFC Viewing Parties From March Through May
More Las Vegas News
- Clark County Commission introduces medical marijuana ordinance (with video)
- Lake Mead still largest reservoir in United States
- Las Vegas (Of All Places) May Be About to Reinvent Car Ownership
- Does How Much I Bet Affect My Chances of Winning?
- ‘Elvis House’ has a storied past but a sullied present
Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays
- Spring Break Las Vegas 2014 (March 1-31)
- St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Las Vegas 2014 (March 14-17)
- March Madness Las Vegas 2014 (March 18 – April 7)
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’m proud to announce that we’re about two weeks away from launching our “Best Of Vegas” readers poll. No doubt you have been walking around various hotels or flipping through the in-room magazines and have seen various touts of something being the “Best In Las Vegas”. We’re not the first people to do awards. However…
I’ve always been concerned with some of the flaws in the voting for various awards. The newspaper has been doing their awards for (seemingly) forever. However, you have a group of locals voting who rarely get near The Strip. An L.A. based Vegas site recently did a best of, and best hotel winner ended up being a downtown hotel they are cozy with, but that half of you are probably unfamiliar with. Huh?
Various other publications have the writers and editors pick the awards. A nice concept in theory (IE, they know the subject matter), but that leaves out the most important people: You, the reader!
With March Madness around the corner, a light-bulb went off in my head: How about throwing everybody in the pool (every hotel in this case), letting them face off in playoff rounds, and seeing who the winner turns out to be!
We’re going to do hotels first, then we’ll move on to other categories over the course of the year. Since “March Madness” involves 64 teams and Las Vegas has more than 64 hotels, we will start with a 16 hotel preliminary round. The winner will advance to the main round where 64 hotels will face off. We actually even have a bracket system, and ranked hotels by midweek price in order to determine bracket order (in the very same vein that the NCAA does with the basketball teams.
To those of you not interested in sports and who didn’t understand a word I just said, I’ll make it simple: Each week, you are going to vote in a bunch of match-ups. We’ll sort out the rest and announce the weekly winners, which will move on to the next round!
Downtown Loses An Icon – We just lost a pioneer of Las Vegas gambling. Jackie Gaughan has passed away at the age of 93. At one time he owned The Plaza, Las Vegas Club, Gold Spike, and El Cortez. All at the same time. He still lived in the penthouse apartment of the El Cortez up until the time of his death, being well ahead of the current trend to move and live downtown.
He was old school. He knew that he’d get your money sooner or later, so he kept the slots loose, table games fair, food inexpensive and the drinks cheap and cold. (The Gold Spike was know for 50 cent well drinks well into the 90’s). You video poker players will appreciate the fact that ALL the original video poker machines at The Plaza were 9/6 Jacks or Better with a $1199 royal! ($1 less than the amount that triggers IRS reporting, and into the territory of being a full-pay game).
Those wanting to know more about the life and times of Jackie Gaughan can read the article Las Vegas gambling pioneer Jackie Gaughan dies at 93
First Look At The Linq – Just a couple of days after the entire Linq project opened to the public, we did a full walk-though at night so you can get a true feel for it. Check out the video at Linq Las Vegas Opening Walk-Through and don’t forget to leave comments and subscribe to our YouTube channel while you are there.
The Riv Brings Back Old-School Vegas Deals – $4 breakfast, $3 call drinks, $2 beers and $1 blackjack. Must be 1997 on the Las Vegas Strip, right? No, we’re firmly in 2014 but The Riviera believes that old-school casino marketing still works and they are willing to give it a try! Read all the details here: Riviera March 2014 Food, Beverage, And Gaming Promotions
Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler
Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley
What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy
- Terry Fator 2014 Fox And Friends Amazing Performance – Enjoy Terry Fator and “Winston The Impersonating Turtle” showcase Fator’s talents doing Elvis and more!
- Linq Las Vegas Opening Walk-Through & High Roller Ferris Wheel – Full walk-through, brand new Linq Las Vegas project, featuring Margaritaville, O’Sheas Casino, the world-famous High Roller “Biggest In The World” Ferris Wheel, dining, bars, and unique/exclusive shopping.
Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!
I’m super-busy (and excited) working on our “Best Of” readers poll. Members Mania will return next week. In the meantime, if you want to suggest a snappy name for our readers poll, drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com
Keep in mind that we are Access Vegas, and the name of the newsletter is Insider Vibe. However, anything involving “readers” or “members” or anything that sounds catchy or rhymes is all welcome. Of course, having Vegas in the name does not hurt (but isn’t mandatory).
If we use a reader suggestion, we’ll send you something cool from our prize closet!
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.
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