Tag Archives: cab

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – December 12, 2007

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Free Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Some of you may notice the absence of my photo from this column. As we continue to grow, this newsletter is becoming a collaboration of so many great people, and we have even more writers coming on board in January. I’m the boss and have decided that removing my mug is a great way to reflect the efforts of many and free up more space. Co’mon… looking at Vegas photos is a lot more fun than looking at me!

Christmas is in the air, and next week we’ll be publishing photos of the current holiday display at the Bellagio. For those staying downtown, huge Christmas tree down there should be lit by the time you get this, and all of the hotels are decked out for the season. If you are going to be here on Christmas Day, you’ll find most all of the restaurants and buffets with a special holiday menu.

Our MySpace Is Up… Get Locked In As Our Friend! – We grabbed MySpace.com/AccessVegas a long time ago. But let’s face it… MySpace used to be mostly full of people under 21. We market only to people who can enjoy all that is Las Vegas.

Times have changed, everyone is using MySpace, and we’ve cranked up our MySpace page. This isn’t just about being our Friend. We’ll be doing special giveaways and bulletins just to our MySpace friends, plus more frequent updates about all that is AccessVegas.com.

Not into MySpace? Have no fear. We are going to continue to publish this newsletter. In fact, we have recently increased publication from 3 times a month to weekly! But if you want to hook up with us on MySpace, don’t delay. Put in an invite request right now at MySpace.com/AccessVegas

More Vegas Photos, More Often! – Regular readers know we have increased the number of photos we are posting just for our loyal readers! We know that many of you visit on a regular basis. Sometimes a few times a year, for others once every year or two. Las Vegas changes so fast, that we continue to bring you looks at everything new plus many of the tried and true scenes. New to our photo gallery:

Evel Knievel’s Last Ride – Unfortunately, this column has read like the obituary section the past few weeks with the passing of legendary Las Vegas locals Robert Goulet and Kevin Dubrow. We unfortunately add Evel Knievel to that list. Most will associate him to Las Vegas with his jump over the fountains of Caesars Palace. What few remember is that he lived in the Maxim hotel (now Westin Casuarina) here in Las Vegas for a number of years in the early 90’s around the time I first moved to town. He did TV commercials and public appearances for them.

This past Monday, Caesars Palace had the actual Triumph motorcycle used in the jump on display:

I had a happenstance meeting with him in my hometown of Portland, Oregon in the mid-80’s. I was working my way through college at Greyhound Bus Lines and he came in to pick up a package from Butte, Montana. Unfortunately, we had no cell phone cameras back then. That would have been a photo nice to have about now. When I was a kid, we all wanted to be Evel Knievel.

Enjoy This Issue!

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

Simon At Palms Place Debuts At New Palms Place Hotel, Condo & Spa – Culinary genius and famed restaurateur Kerry Simon has announced that he will open his latest epicurean paradise, Simon at Palms Place at the new Palms Place Hotel, Condo & Spa. The Rock & Roll chef, who has catered to the stars for almost two decades, will bring his style of cutting-edge, globally inspired fare to the eagerly anticipated new property. Specializing in sushi, steak and seafood with more than 8,400 square feet of dining space, Simon at Palms Place will be a hip, edgy and delectable new dining destination unlike any other in Las Vegas. Click to Read The Full Story …


Click Photo To See All Shark Reef Photos

Go Deep Behind-the-Scenes at Shark Reef Aquarium – In addition to more than 2,000 exhibits, Shark Reef Aquarium now offers a 30-minute, behind-the-scenes guided tour. Guests 13 years of age and older are invited to learn about the facility’s chilling predators and the place they call home. This in-depth, fully guided tour explores the wonderful worlds of water filtration, saltwater-making, food preparation, SCUBA diving and animal care. Visitors will see what it takes to operate a 1.6 million gallon aquarium in the middle of the desert. Tours are available every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 with the purchase of an admission.

Spa for the Holidays – Fall into a luxurious spa experience this season with treatments designed to evoke the warmth of the holidays. Don’t delay — these indulgent services are available for a limited time.

  • Warm yourself from the outside in with a Hot Spiced Rum Stone Massage at BATHHOUSE inside THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. This cozy treatment combines traditional stone massage with essential oils of cinnamon, clove and arnica.
  • Guests of WET — The Spa & Salon at TI are invited to indulge in a Tea Party or enjoy a Double Shot of two salon favorites — a manicure and pedicure. Tea Party features the soothing elements of green tea while Double Shot offers the stimulating effects of coffee. During the service, guests enjoy complimentary tea cookies, coffee cake and a beverage befitting the experience.
  • At Spa Bellagio, guests are invited to purify with pumpkin or relax with cranberry. A Purifying Pumpkin Facial energizes the skin with a delectable blend of botanicals, while cranberry lovers can choose between an exfoliating Cranberry Vichy Shower, Cranberry Hydrotherapy Bath or Cranberry Relaxation Massage.
  • Visitors of MGM Grand Spa can enjoy a luxurious Cocoa Mud Massage — a sinful cocoa mud body wrap followed by a heavenly massage with creamy Swiss chocolate body butter.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photos: – Scott Misener submitted this beautiful photo of Las Vegas at night:

Everyone I show this picture to, cannot believe it yet they want one. It is a sliced brisket sandwich from the Carnegie Deli located at the Mirage. I was there in December 2006. This is a great sandwich, and its almost impossible to eat it all. Almost. Everything in Vegas is Great!John Hewitt
Dallas, TXá

Here is a pic we took of the rotating statue (taken in May ’07) inside Harrah’s casino. We thought it was a hidden gem of kitsch.Betty Suydamá

Excuse me but what is the problem with a cabbie making a referral fee for recommending a particular business? or as you call them “fat kickbacks”? Seems rather hypocritical for a website owner who recommends specific businesses for affiliate referrals to be whining about a cabbie recommending some strip club who will pay him a single referral fee. BTW, would it be better to take a customer to a dead club where the girls are not since the girls follow the guys and that is where the cabbies drop off? It would be the ultimate rip-off to take a customer to places that do not pay referrals. Taking a customer to a dead club is allowing them to be ripped off. There is not a damn thing wrong with a cabbie making a referral, nothing. They pay because our advertising makes them tons more money, simple.

As to this business about longhauling, again, way overblown and little more than another attempt to blame a cabbie for every rip-off a typical visitor is exposed to when staying here. Cabbies are not responsible for $200 to $800 rooms, $100 to $200 show tickets, $35 buffets, $8 beers, $5 waters, $65 limo fees, $5 monorail rides, $2 bag handling charges by airlines, $10 fees to clean a shirt or $25 bottles of $10 wine. Stop blaming the cab driver for a town designed to screw every visitor who exits a plane at McCarran. Do some cabbies longhaul, sure but if you understood how a cabbie is paid you would see how silly and overblown that issue is. The ongoing road construction in this town alone makes longhauling a must or we sit and the meters run, which is cheaper? the longer route 9 out of 10 times. We get paid to move butts not take one butt for a tour.

Next time you want to spout off about the evil cabbie do some research. Understand who owns the cabs and sets the rates. Understand cabbies do not get overtime (most work 60 hours a week) or any other Labor perk most Americans take for granted. We are exempt commissioned sales people according to Federal and State Laws. What the hell do you care if I make an extra $40 to take some guys to a kickass club on a Friday night? A club which will RIP them OFF for an average of 4 bills each. This club cannot pay me a marketing fee of 10%?

Las Vegas cabbies do not own their own cabs. We cannot even lease a cab. We have absolutely no equity stake in the business. Most have no retirement and most work all the Holidays with absolutely no extra compensation.

Las Vegas cabbies move this town. We do over 20 million trips per month, 250 million trips a year. We move 45 million tourists around. We do it because we are hands down the best value even if the rates were double what they are now.

Columns like yours are nothing more than arrogant racially based assaults on working people. You have not a clue about what you are even speaking about.

BTW per State law it against the law to stage a Limo at a Hotel. There is no such thing as un unsolicitated Limo hire. Next time you are at WYNN for example, see if you can see limos staged. Bet you do and guess what, Wynn rents Executive Limo the space. That is completely illegal but does Taxicab Authority do anything about it? Guess who then gets to cherry pick a cabline for those “strip club rides”. Hint, the doorman and limo drivers who already make a killing steal our rides and spilt the “fat kickbacks”. Course most of them are white so no biggy to people like you I guess. Instead bag-on those losers driving cab.

Stephen Brown
Taxidriver Las Vegas, NV

I certainly welcome the opportunity to respond to this letter publicly:

——————–

Dear Mr. Brown,

  • A significant number of the advertisements we run are paid placement. Others are for commission. This keeps our newsletter free. However, I am proud to say that we have never steered someone toward a show or attraction based on advertising or commission. In fact, when I send someone to do a show review, I have but one set of instructions: Review the show in such a manner that people who may enjoy it will understand what they may like about it, and those who wouldn’t be as interested are so informed as well.In cases where sales are commission-based, we make the same small commission whether you buy a ticket to Jubilee or Folies Bergere. Whether you book a room at Bellagio or Venetian. In this issue, we are running photos of Shark Reef taken at our expense for something we get no advertising fee or commission. We are about covering Las Vegas, and simply hope that our readers will patronize our advertisers and use our booking links if they appreciate our information.Cab drivers have been well known over the years to practice strong diversion tactics. This practice has been well documented. Yes, I am well aware that limo drivers also get fees from various venues for delivering passengers. Here’s the difference: The doorman and limo drivers are asking people ahead of time if they want to go to such and such club.

    Side Note: I have no problem with commissions or fees for generating business. This is a free market economy. I do have issues with a hard-sell to a captive audience.

  • I’m not sure what $100 show tickets have to do with cab drivers long-hauling tourists. If this is such a rare practice, why was it highlighted at the top of a USA Today travel chat article about Las Vegas in addition to many numerous local articles.People choose to pay $200 for a hotel room or $25 for a bottle of wine. People do not choose to be long-hauled. Even if someone is staying in a $300 a night room, that is no justification bilking them illegally on their cab ride.
  • I’d take up your work hours, pay and conditions with your employer. Or, find other work. You do not have the right to divert or long-haul passengers just because you feel you are underpaid.
  • Moving 45 million people around each year doesn’t make you the best value. In fact, Las Vegas has some of the very highest cab fares in the nation! Reference:

    You claimed that cabs would be a value at double the rates. Co’mon… you can’t be serious!

  • I’m at a complete loss how questioning the ethics of cab drivers is a “racially based assault.” I didn’t realize that all cab drivers were of one color or race. Once you figure out what race all local cab drivers are, I’d go picket the Review-Journal for their “racist” articles about local cab service. Their circulation is still a bit larger than this newsletter.

——————–

So, there you have it. Las Vegas cabdrivers who think that the fares they charge are a bargain, and how feel it is OK to bilk you on the assumption you are spending a few extra bucks for an upscale room or a nice bottle of wine during your stay.

Kind of makes you want to take an airport shuttle to your hotel next time, doesn’t it? Many of them are owned by the same companies that put cabs on the street, but at least a shuttle is flat-rate.

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

Coming Hot Holidays – The following dates are huge times to be in Las Vegas, and rooms are in high demand. Booking in advance is the best way to save. Visit our friends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals and spend one of the following hot dates having fun in Las Vegas:

  • Christmas December 25 (4 day weekend – Christmas on Tuesday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (4 day weekend – New Years on Tuesday)

Link To Us! – Have a home page, web page, or blog? Link to us, and give yourself and your friends a quick link to find us from your site. Simply link to http://www.accessvegas.com and name the link Access Vegas!

RSS Feed – We now have an RSS/XML feed! Most RSS programs let you visit AccessVegas.com and automatically pull the feed. For those who want to enter it manually, the feed is:
http://www.accessvegas.com/xml/whats-hot.xml

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

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2007 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

December 12, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – November 07, 2007

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Free Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Daylightá Savings Time is over and the sun is dipping behind the mountains before 6 PM local time here. The sunsets are still spectacular, just way too early.

Robert Goulet’s funeral will be this Friday and is open to the public. There is also a big push to have the Strip Hotel marquees honor him on Friday. This issue is already way too jammed, so I’ll simply link you to the local news story about it: Marquee tributes urged for Goulet

David Copperfield’s run at the Hollywood Theater (MGM Grand) isn’t presently being affected by his legal troubles. While MGM officials have noted that his contract does have a “moral’s clause” (allowing them to cancel the contract for morally inappropriate behavior), I’m happy to see that Copperfield is pretty much universally being given the benefit of the “innocent until proven guilty” clause that is at the heart of U.S. justice.

It would be different if Copperfield had a long list of run-ins with the law of if obviously damning evidence existed (a video of the alleged offense or similar). Certainly if he is proven guilty, it could put an end to his career. However, I think we are all wising up when it comes to allegations of rape or similar crimes of violence. High profile cases the past couple of years have taught us to keep an open mind until and unless he is convicted.

When is what movie shooting in Las Vegas and how do I spot my favorite star? A common question and one I’ll answer later in the newsletter.

Another Implosion? You know I try to steer far clear of rumor, but we’ve heard from a pretty justifiable source that a certain tropical-themed casino may actually be doing away with one of their towers after all. We’ll be following up and letting you know if we can substantiate it.

Enjoy This Issue!

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

Featured Review: Blush at Wynn Las Vegas

by Harley Van Hyning

A hot new club recently opened at the Wynn over Labor Day weekend. What was once Club Lure, is now Blush! Blush is descriptive in its name. The well-lighted dance floor and illuminous lantern shapes that hang above the dance floor create the intimate vibe of Blush. The dance floor is the centerpiece of the club. It stretches from the entrance all the way back to the open air patio. The dance floor illuminates red lights that glow beneath your feet and the luminous lanterns above come together creating a unique atmosphere. This definitely draws the attention to the dance floor where the life of the party can easily be found. Unlike many dark clubs, Blush illuminates an intimate energy.

Blush has many lounging areas to choose from. You can get a table right along the dance floor with bottle service and be only a step away from the party. If you want to have a comfortable distance from the dance floor and still view the party, there are tables in a sensual booth-like setting. The open air patio in the rear of Blush offers a view of the sky and fresh air if a breather is needed.

Blush is not a large club, but packs a great nightlife experience! One great thing about Blush is the very accessible bar. The bar takes over the left side of the club allowing lots of room to comfortably order your beverage. Unlike a much larger nightclub such as, Pure, Blush is much smaller. Nightclub operator Sean Christie described it perfectly as “the boutique nightclub”. The name and experience are unique in itself and a must when in Las Vegas!

Harley Van Hyning is a graduate of the University of West Florida with interests in marketing, communications, and surfing (not in that order). He’s currently the host of Destin Florida Podcast.

Country Superstar George Strait Returns To MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, February 2, 2008 – Multi-platinum-selling country superstar George Strait returns to Las Vegas for a Big Game weekend performance live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. (Tickets) The in-the-round concert, allowing him to perform to all sides of the arena throughout his show, is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Singer and songwriter Josh Turner also is scheduled to perform as the evening’s special guest. During his 2007 arena tour, Strait continued his streak of sold-out shows while setting attendance records. Click to Read The Full Story …

Larry G Jones.com The Man of 1002 Voices Show – Medicine For The soul: Military, Fire, And Police Get Month+ Of Free Vegas Show Tickets – ‘Larry G Jones û The Man of 1002 Voices Show’, is offering free tickets to his Singing Impressionist-Comedy performances in his Las Vegas showroom for our men and women in uniform now through at least Dec. 10, 2007! (Tickets and Offer Info) (Including all army, navy, air force, marines, coast guard, reserves, law enforcement, and firemen) “Everyone loves to laugh; people need it today more than ever! It’s good for your health! Our Veterans deserve more than just one day for special benefits, I’m finally in a position to give back something to them,” Jones said. Click to Read The Full Story …

Siegfried & Roy Take Big Strides For Opportunity Village’s 2007 Las Vegas Great Santa Run – Magicians Of The Century Encourage Runners To Participate In The 5k Race And Sign Up With Team Siegfried & Roy – Siegfried & Roy and Opportunity Village unite forces for the second year in a row in an attempt to break the World Record for the Largest Santa Gathering at the third annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007. Siegfried & Roy serve as Honorary Team Captains for the 2007 event, giving participants a chance to be a part of something truly magical during the season of giving. The Las Vegas Great Santa Run is a fundraising effort benefiting Opportunity Village and serves as a light, spirited warm-up run for participants in the Las Vegas Marathon the following day. Click to Read The Full Story …

Famed illusionist Hans Klok Unveils Magical Good Luck Tiki As He Welcomes New Trader Vic’s Restaurant To Las Vegas – To mark the opening of the Polynesian-themed Trader Vic’s restaurant, famed illusionist, Hans Klok, performed a magical welcoming gesture. With the aid of his beautiful divas, the world’s fastest magician conjured a tiki as part of his renowned fire-spikes illusion. The hand-carved tiki stands 6-feet tall by 3-feet wide and was unveiled on stage at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts. Click to Read The Full Story …

Fremont Street Experience Lights Up Red, White and Blue When It Hosts The Annual Patriot Party November 10 and 11 – Las Vegas’ famed Fremont Street Experience invites all to come out and salute America with a weekend of free concerts and a Veterans Day parade. The festivities include an exciting line-up of renowned Air Force performers and headline acts by country music stars David Lee Murphy and Halfway To Hazard. The Patriot Party kicks off an all-American good time when the Singing Sergeants take to the stage at the 1st Street intersection between Binion’s and the Golden Nugget. Click to Read The Full Story …

Vegas To Receive Fresh Selection Of Designer Wares At Exclusive Shopping Experience – Fashion Elements Brings Hottest Los Angeles Designers To Las Vegas For One-Day Event Sunday, December 2 – Fashion Elements, an exclusive designer shopping experience showcasing the hottest new and established designers, is bringing the event to Las Vegas from Southern California for the first time on Sunday, December 2. The one-day only event features current overstock from more than 30 designers at discounts of up to 60% off retail prices. Fashionistas will not want to miss out on an unbelievable selection of designer clothing, jewelry, accessories and beauty items. Click to Read The Full Story …

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photos:


Hint: Click on the photo to see photos of Las Vegas At Dusk

This was a picture that I took on the bridge between MGM and NYNY.

Sami Forrest, Rosemount, MN

I applaud your article on the cab situation in Vegas. On our last trip there we went to a restaurant off the strip that had been recommended by Rachel Ray on her food program. We took a cab over from our strip hotel in the early afternoon and really enjoyed the restaurant and it’s friendly staff and good food.

The problem came in the return trip. The restaurant called a cab for us and we were told a cab would be there in twenty minutes. Fourty-five minutes later and still no cab came. We tried to no avail for twenty more minutes to hail a cab and decided to walk to Sam’s Town which was a considerable distance away. As we were walking we tried to hail a cab and finally a very nice cab driver heading in the opposite direction turned around and picked us up right after we started walking.

If I had known we were going to have this much problem we would never have ventured off the strip. This was my 21st trip to Vegas and really wanted to try the hidden gems of Vegas as presented on TV. Needless to say I was disappointed. Too bad these establishments are not able to attract tourist business because of the messed up cab situation.

Keep up the good work!! I really enjoy your newsletter.

Michael T. Lewis
Indiana

Ted Responds:

Michael is referring to my comments about the local cab drivers in our August 22, 2007 Issue. We did receive a very well written rebuttal by a cab driver that we will give adequate time to in the future. But the bottom line is this: Cabbie issues continue to be the #1 complaint we get from readers year after year after year. This isn’t about me being on a soapbox. This is an ongoing, real issue that needs to be addressed.

We are going to be in Vegas. Can you please tell me if there are going to be any films being made at this time or TV shows being taped. We’d love to see that in person.

Thank you,

Darlene

Ted Responds:

Film and TV companies go out of their way to keep their shooting schedules under wraps. The last thing they usually want are crowd control problems or having to pay for additional security. Although long shots, there are two ways to try to catch shoots in action:

  1. Check the paper each day. Sometimes Norm Clarke will have a tip about a pending shoot in his daily column. Also, every Friday you can check a column called Shooting Stars. It will often have tips about what is headed to town to shoot, and sometimes locations and details.
  2. Get lucky. I’ve happened to be downtown a couple different times when a made-for-TV movie was being shot. I was downtown late one evening when they were shooting the Puff Daddy and Mase video Feel So Good (YouTube Link) and enjoyed watching it for a couple hours. I’ve also seen a couple of car commercials shot downtown that I later saw on national TV.

    I played craps next to Matt Sorum of Guns and Roses a few years ago at the Hard Rock, and it is pretty usual to spot 80’s metal stars (and local residents) Vince Neil and Kevin Dubrow around town. A few weeks ago, friend and business partner Harley Van Hyning (see the Blush write-up in this issue) spotted rapper Lil Jon at The Mirage.

    I think the most notable was one evening when I was at the (now shuttered) Klondike at the very south end of The Strip having one of their infamous cheap meal specials. Movie crews were setting up for scenes from Vegas Vacation. These were the scenes where Clark Griswold plays (and loses) at all those crazy casino table games no one has ever heard of.

I could go on and on, but the bottom line is just to keep your eyes open. Celeb spotting is easier than one might guess, especially in some of the more trendy hotels.

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

Coming Hot Holidays – The following dates are huge times to be in Las Vegas, and rooms are in high demand. Booking in advance is the best way to save. Visit our friends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals and spend one of the following hot dates having fun in Las Vegas:

  • Christmas December 25 (4 day weekend – Christmas on Tuesday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (4 day weekend – New Years on Tuesday)

Link To Us! – Have a home page, web page, or blog? Link to us, and give yourself and your friends a quick link to find us from your site. Simply link to http://www.accessvegas.com and name the link Access Vegas!

RSS Feed – We now have an RSS/XML feed! Most RSS programs let you visit AccessVegas.com and automatically pull the feed. For those who want to enter it manually, the feed is:
http://www.accessvegas.com/xml/whats-hot.xml

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

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

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

All contents copyright 2007 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

November 7, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – August 22, 2007

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Free Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! The cab drivers are up to their usual garbage… resisting more cabs on the street while they basically ignore most of the city, run visitors the long way, and hustle to get people to certain adult establishments that give them huge kickbacks.

If you are a newer reader, this is good stuff to know. If you’ve been following this over the years, this will get you up-to-date.

More Crap from Las Vegas Cabbies – The secret has been out for quite some time now about Las Vegas cabbies. Our reports, newspaper reports, and even on cable TV travel specials warn about the tricks and stunts cab drivers pull on you. We’ve been reporting on it for years.

So… a couple of recent local news stories caught my attention:

First of all… DUH. Of course you are skipping the cab lines at McCarran. You don’t want to wait outside in a big line (common during peak periods). You don’t want a cabbie taking you the long way (through the airport tunnel) to run up the meter. You don’t want to cabbie trying to sell you tickets for crap you aren’t interested in, nor giving you worthless advice on stuff they know little-to-nothing about. Just hoping that being “helpful” will net him a bigger tip. (Co’mon… you think that after their shift, cab drivers head out and hit every attraction on The Strip? They can’t wait to get to their suburban homes far away from their work environment).

In addition, getting a cab outside the tourism areas of Las Vegas is pretty much a very bad joke. Cabbies all want to be running people from hotel-to-hotel. Short rides, big tips. If you want to venture to an off-strip attraction or destination, good luck on getting a cab back. You’ll find out what locals have always known: Cab service outside the tourism core is almost impossible to get. (Locals who fly often know that if they call for a cab to get them from their house to the airport, they might as well kiss their flight goodbye).

Now, cabbies are complaining about the move to put more cabs on the street. Despite the fact that you often stand in long cab lines at the airport, and often can’t get a return cab if visiting an off-strip attraction (putting aside what us locals go through if we need one).

Hello Cabbies: No wonder fewer people are taking cabs at the airport. If only one or two in a party, much better, quicker, and cheaper to take one of the many airport shuttles. If a number of people in your party (or if you just want to travel in style), you can often get a town car or limo from the airport for not much more than a cab ride (especially when you factor in the long routes that many of them still use). I say this from experience: Many of our staff often use the tunnel that runs south of the airport, under the airport. We almost always see cabs full of (what is clearly) tourists. Guess what… The Strip is NORTH of the airport, not south of it.

Message to Visitors: Use shuttles or limos, and don’t expect to get a cab back to your hotel if you venture away from The Strip. Do expect for a cabbie to feed you lines of crap about stuff, just trying to get a bigger tip for being “informed” (ya… right). Note to Locals: You already know not to try to get a cab to come and take you anywhere. Perhaps it is time to support the efforts to put more cabs on the street. Between wait lines at the airport, and the inability to get timely cab service anywhere in town… it sounds like we need a LOT more cabs on the streets of Las Vegas.

Features Will Return – Many of your favorite features like the photos of the week, reader questions, gambling tips, and reader submitted photos will return in September. Still plenty of news and information this week.

Enjoy This Issue!

National Hockey League (NHL) Returns To Las Vegas As The Los Angeles Kings Face The Colorado Avalanche For “Frozen Fury X” At MGM Grand Saturday, Sept. 22 – The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Los Angeles Kings return to Las Vegas for “Frozen Fury X” (Tickets) when they host an NHL pre-season game against the Colorado Avalanche Saturday, Sept. 22 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. “Frozen Fury X” plans to feature a line-up of NHL all-star players from both rosters including Kings players Anze Kopitar, Michael Cammalleri and former Avalanche Defenseman Rob Blake. Avalanche all-stars include future Hall of Famer Joe Sakic, second-year standout Paul Stastny and former Kings Forward Ian Laperriere. Click to Read The Full Story …

RA Sushi Announces 93.1 The Party’s “Rollin’ with Whoopi” Creation Won Over Local Celebrity Judges And Is The Champion Of RA N’ Roll – Whoopi Goldberg To Sample The Roll Named In Her Honor – RA Sushi Bar Restaurant, located at the Fashion Show Mall, invited local media outlets to participate in RA N’ ROLL, a competition to create, name and submit an original recipe for a sushi roll. On Wednesday, August 1, a panel of local celebrity judges including Nathan Burton, Anthony Cools, Amazing Johnathan and his assistant Psychic Tanya, Ronn Lucas and Kevin Burke, sampled five rolls RA had selected as finalists. Considering overall taste, presentation and creativity of name, the judges then named the roll created by KPLV û FM 93.1 The Party, “Rollin’ with Whoopi,” as the winner. Click to Read The Full Story …

Health District Prepares To Issue Smoking Citations – After nearly eight months, health authorities are taking off the gloves in the fight over Nevada’s smoking ban. Since December, the Southern Nevada Health District has been trying to figure out how to enforce the ban around Las Vegas. They started by trying to get bars and restaurants on their side. But now they say that has not worked well enough, so it is time to go after the smokers themselves. If you are a smoker, the fines could be a real drag. Smokers who light up in restaurants or other locations could face a $100 fine. The health district says the time has come to target smokers, and not just the places they light up. Click to Read The Full Story …

Karaoke Comes To The Orleans Hotel And Casino – Brendan’s Irish Pub Features Karaoke Gurus, Jimmy Z And Sally Z – Brendan’s Irish Pub, inside The Orleans Hotel and Casino, is the newest spot to sing karaoke favorites, win cash prizes and dance the night away with friends. Karaoke-duo Jimmy Z and Sally Z will be hosting the festivities every Monday and Wednesday night at 8 p.m. and continuing the fun until midnight. All participating guests can enter to win cash prizes. Drawings will be held twice nightly. Jimmy Z and Sally Z have been amusing Las Vegas audiences since 1995 and are established hometown entertainers. Click to Read The Full Story …

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

Coming Hot Holidays – The following dates are huge times to be in Las Vegas, and rooms are in high demand. Booking in advance is the best way to save. Visit our friends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals and spend one of the following hot dates having fun in Las Vegas:

  • Labor Day September 1-3 (3 day weekend)
  • Columbus Day (USA), Thanksgiving Day (Canada) October 6-8 (3 day weekend)
  • Christmas December 25 (4 day weekend – Christmas on Tuesday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (4 day weekend – New Years on Tuesday)

Link To Us! – Have a home page, web page, or blog? Link to us, and give yourself and your friends a quick link to find us from your site. Simply link to http://www.accessvegas.com and name the link Access Vegas!

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All contents copyright 2007 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

August 22, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

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