Access Vegas Insider Vibe – May 21, 2008

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.


AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! What a wild, wacky, weird week in weather. This past Monday we hit 108 degrees (F) with Tuesday checking in at 101. The 108 was one degree shy of an all-time May record.

However… as I write this on Friday afternoon we’re experiencing scattered showers and a “balmy” 63. Average high for May? 88 degrees.

Free Wi-Fi and slots for fun are two of the things that make Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport the second highest airport in a recent J.D. Power survey. Actually, the survey really studies cleanliness, ease-of-use, parking, and similar. But the free Wi-Fi and plenty of slot machines (plus a pretty decent restaurant selection) doesn’t hurt!

Unlucky $50 bills – NASCAR Racer and Las Vegas native Kyle Busch turned down a $50 bill from the outgoing speedway president of Charlotte Motor Speedway this past week. Speedway president Humpy Wheeler was handing out personally signed $50 bills to various drivers as a going-away souvenir.

So what’s the big deal? Long time Las Vegas gamblers have always been superstitions about $50 bills, considering them bad luck. I’ve personally seen people sit out a hand of blackjack or call their craps bets off when a $50 bill has been placed on the table.

I’m not sure of the origins of this notion, but I’ve always made it a point to change a $50 at the casino cage if I was going to play a table game. Bottom Line: Next time you put down a $50, now you’ll know why if some funny looks come your way!

Thinking of moving here? Paying cash for your house will get you a great deal, but don’t expect any easy mortgages out there. Lenders got burned so bad here in Nevada that experts guess it will be early 2010 before lenders lighten up on Nevada home loans. Plus, during tight times when hiring is light, new residents find themselves at the bottom of the job heap.

Thinking of visiting? Plenty of deals to be had! However, don’t expect an empty Las Vegas. áThe lower room rates are keeping the rooms full and that money you save on the room helps offset the gas costs or airfare to get here. Check out all the current special prices that ouráfriends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals are offering right now.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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


Can’t Make It To Vegas?
Get Tickets To An Event Near You!

NBA Playoffs, Tina Turner, Madonna American Idols Live, New Kids On The Block, Bon Jovi, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Stevie Wonder, Widespread Panic, Cold Play, Carlos Mencia , Melissa Etheridge, Music Build Tour, Ringling Bros B&B Circus, Major League Baseball, NFL Football, College Football


Featured Review:
Mamma Mia! Keeps You On The Edge Of Your Seat

by Denise Almas

With your toes tapping until the very end, the story is both delightful and, at times, mysterious.

As told through the energetic music of Abba, this big fat Greek island wedding is a comical look at how the women’s liberation movement affected two generations. Though the audience is warned of the large amounts of spandex and late 70’s garb, the music and talented performers bring to life a contemporary view of a culturally interesting time.

Having no information about the true identify of her father, Sophie, the blushing 20 year old bride-to-be, invites the three men her mother had written about in her 1979 diary to her upcoming wedding. This is the backdrop to the captivating musical Mamma Mia, a story of a young woman who attempts to find her father and her own identity at a pivotal moment in her life. Sophie’s mother, Donna, who is also unsure of the identity of her daughter’s father, is upset by the unexpected arrival of all three men the day before the wedding.

Click to Read Entire Mamma Mia! Las Vegas Review…


Featured Review:
Trent Carlini Is… Elvis In Las Vegas

by T. Feld

A shoe-polish black forelock dangles precariously over his forehead. The hips gyrate and swivel with unerring accuracy. His eyes beckon the crowd with a knowing twinkle. The upper lip curls into a familiar quiver. Showcasing a powerful vocal range throughout all the standard hits, you may think Elvis really is in the building after seeing Trent Carlini do his thing at the Sahara Showroom.

More than just an impersonator or tribute performer, this son of Italian immigrants breathes life back into the King himself by uncannily recreating the music, mood and moves of an authentic Presley performance. An audience spanning generations filled the 800 seat venue nearly to capacity at a recent Saturday night show that evoked the spirit of a genuine Elvis Presley concert, complete with screaming, swooning women rushing the stage for a chance to touch their idol.

Click to Read Entire Trent Carlini Dream King Las Vegas Review…


CityCenter Commemorates Construction Milestone With “Topping Out” Of First Tower, Vdara Condo Hotel – CityCenter today commemorated the “topping out” of its 57-story Vdara Condo Hotel, the first of six distinctive high-rise towers that will be topped within the coming months. The completion of Vdara’s structure is a milestone for the construction progress of CityCenter as it moves toward opening in late 2009. “CityCenter commenced in 2004 as a blank canvas imagined by a diverse group of people. With the topping out of Vdara, we see our vision of creating one of the world’s most ambitious developments coming to fruition,” said Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO of CityCenter. “In less than 20 months, we’ll open the doors to CityCenter and introduce the world to this urban metropolis that will redefine Las Vegas.” Click to Read The Full Story …“America’s Got Talent” Million-Dollar Winner Terry Fator Lands Gig On Las Vegas Strip At The Mirage – Ventriloquist, Singer, Comedian and Impressionist Signs Multi-Year Contract to Perform at Resort Renowned for Extraordinary Entertainment Offerings. Terry Fator, winner of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” and The Mirage announced Fator signed a five-year deal, with an option for an additional five years, to perform at the iconic resort. (Tickets). Click to Read The Full Story … Slip Into A Sexy Two-Piece With Hawaiian Tropic Zone’s Bikini Punch CocktailHawaiian Tropic Zone, located inside Miracle Mile Shops, offers the perfect liquid libation for swimsuit season û the Bikini Punch cocktail. A sweet concoction of passion fruit juice, Bacardi light rum, Malibu coconut rum, fresh lime juice, pineapple syrup and orange juice, the Bikini Punch cocktail reflects the sexy and flirtatious atmosphere of Hawaiian Tropic Zone. Served up by one of the beautiful and bikini clad Hawaiian Tropic Zone girls, the mixture is refreshing, tantalizing and ideal for the summer heat. The Bikini Punch cocktail is garnished with a delicious strawberry, making it the perfect treat to enjoy while soaking in a sunny afternoon on Hawaiian Tropic Zone’s strip-side patio. Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: The King and I – with Victor H. Royer. Back in the days of grand and glorious Hollywood, there was once a famous motion picture made, based on a Broadway play, starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. It was the title of my story here — The King and I. As much as I would have liked to be either a King, or at least Yul Brynner — I actually always fancied myself either as Elvis, or Jerry Lewis, or perhaps Jack Benny — I did once have a close encounter with royalty. This was many years ago, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, back in those days when Las Vegas was still considered ôold Vegasö. This was a time when you still could drive up and down the strip at two oÆclock in the afternoon at 55 mph, and barely see three or four other cars. Click to Read Complete Article…


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

4 Queens from $36, Bally’s from $69, Flamingo from $63, Gold Coast from $45, Planet H. from $89, Rio Suites from $60, Sahara from $41, Strat. from $48, Tropicana from $50, Tuscany from $42, All Vegas Hotels!


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Hi There Ted,We have just returned to U. K. after 14 days in Vegas. What a place, had a fantastic time saw some great shows, we got The Deuce and went up and down strip. everyone there are friendly helpful and they offer you a seat if your a bit of a an old codger [used to do that in UK once]á

Iálove magic and saw some great shows but the man to take top prize must go to Steve Wyrick and what a show he puts on amazing. I was very disappointed with Penn and Teller, just a couple of cheap tricks and the bullet trick which they have been doing for years.á

Even the free shows were great especially T.I. Pirate Show we are planning a return in September.Denny Brown

Ted Responds:

Always happy to hear great trip reports! We’ll be sending a writer to check out Steve Wyrick soon. I saw him years ago at The Sahara and had a lot of fun.

Sirens Of TI Pirate Show

If you want to relive a few memories, check out our Sirens of T.I. Pirate Show photo gallery!


Hi Ted,Just wanted to say i love your newsletter! i went to Las Vegas two years ago with two of the girls from work, and am returning this fall with my youngest daughter who is 35.When can we find out if Elton John will have dates the end of October? We arrive on the 28th and leave for home November 1. Thanks and keep up the good work.Marsha
Auburn Hills,MI,

Ted Responds:

We always post concert and event dates when we get them and we add new concert dates every week. Just scroll down the right side of the newsletter every issue to see what is playing.

Also, don’t forget to tell friends and family that enjoy Las Vegas to go to AccessVegas.com and subscribe. We rely on word-of-mouth, and the more subscribers we have the better we can continue to providing the kind of info we do!


My husband and I just returned from our yearly vacation to Vegas. We always stay downtown at the 4 Queens, this may not be for the upper class folks but let me tell you, they have been good to us. Service is good, staff is friendly and the video poker there is our favorite.áWe both hit a royal flush while we were there. The strip is nice to see but there’s nothing like “Ole Vegas” I have been going there since 1977 and look forward to it every year as much as I did the first trip. Keep up the good work, I look forward to your newsletter!!! Thanks so much Jeanette from NYTed Responds:

Thanks for the great note and congratulations on the royal flush! I still love downtown, and the Four Queens has undergone some great renovations. For all of the doom-and-gloom predictions about the future of Las Vegas tourism, the reality is that things are really picking up downtown. News Editor Mark Jacobs had his parents in town last week, and everyone couldn’t believe how busy downtown was on a Wednesday night.

Because times are tight for many in the United States, visitors are rediscovering the value offered downtown. Plus, it is a little easier on the feet. For those who have never been downtown, imagine four main blocks (plus a number of side blocks) with casinos, restaurants, and bars side-by-side-by-side.

Even though your trip is done, certainly feel free to stay subscribed. Many do just to glance through and keep up on what’s happening here.


Three or four years ago I enjoyed seeing Rick Thomas the Magician at the Tropicana. Then the next year I saw him at the Stardust. Last year I again was able to see him at The Orleans. This year (In February) I was unable to find any performances by Rich Thomas.áDo you know if he will ever be back in Las Vegas again (or was he there in February and I couldn’t find his performances)? I really enjoyed his act and his performances were very reasonable compared to other more famous magicians. Thank you. Mike HeadyTed Responds:

No clue. His siteáwww.rickthomas.com has nothing new on it. We enjoyed his show also. As usual, we’ll publish info right away if he gets a new show here.


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

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

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:

  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 12
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 10

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

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

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


For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

May 21, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 20, 2008

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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


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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

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


Click on above photo to view photo set

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

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

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

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

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


Click on above photo to view photo set

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

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

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

Michael,

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

á

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

á

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


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

á

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


More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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

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

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

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

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


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

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

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

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 13, 2008

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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


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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

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

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

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

Thank you very much!
Cindy Hoplamazian

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

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

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


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


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

Thanx,
Bob

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

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

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

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


More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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

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

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

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

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


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

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

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

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 6, 2008

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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


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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Click Above Photo To View Complete Photo Set

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

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

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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


Feature Story:
Bellagio Gardens Chinese New Year Display


Click Above Photo To View Complete Photo Set

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

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

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

Chinese New Year Conservatory Facts:

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

Related Links:

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

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

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


More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

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

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – January 16, 2008

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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


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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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


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

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

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

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

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

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


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photos:

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

Thanks,

I. Rudyard Stone

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

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


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

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

Terri Culver

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

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


More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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

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

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

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

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


Instructions for Palazzo Screensaver, Palazzo Zip File, Usage Permissions

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

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

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

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


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

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

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

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

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – December 19, 2007

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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


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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Free Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Christmas is in the air, New Years Eve is getting close, and this newsletter is jammed with amazing info and photos. Let’s get started!

New Years Eve, New Years Eve, New Years Eve, New Years Eve…

The fireworks are set, the concerts ready to roll, and the nightclubs all trying to top each other. The theme is “The Best Is Yet To Come” and the fireworks show will reach from the MGM Grand to The Stratosphere with an display lasting more than eight minutes! (As always, sustained winds at the top of the hotels could put a damper on the display, but so far it has always gone off).

We have an extended listing of New Years Eve events running down the side of the newsletter this week or you can go direct to http://www.accessvegas.com/new-years-eve-2007

Bellagio’s Holiday Display is attracting droves of visitors and features some new twists not seen in years past:

Click on either of the above photos to enjoy the entire amazing holiday photo set for a taste of the season from Las Vegas. Don’t forget to spread the Christmas cheer: All photos in our Bellagio Gardens Christmas 2007 can be sent as a free E-Card. Send friends and family members some holiday E-Cards on us!

We say goodbye and a big Thank You to Celine Dion. Her five year run just wrapped up at Caesars, lasting far longer than originally anticipated. 3 million people saw the 717 shows. Whether you love or loathe her, no one can deny the amazing track record (4000 seats nightly) for a single headliner in the modern Las Vegas era.

What’s more, she adopted Las Vegas as her “hometown” and was very active in the community with charity and other events. She even occasionally was spotted shopping at the Henderson Walmart (closest to her Lake Las Vegas home)! If you missed her here, we do have tickets various dates of her pending tour: Celine Dion World Tour Tickets

Bette Midler is Celine’s replacement, and everyone will be watching to see how she does. Elton John will also be playing his selected Ceasars dates. Here are related links:

Hannah Montana Hits Las Vegas – With Las Vegas now having more than two million residents, Miley “Hanna Montana” Cyrus’ two tour dates here sold out in a matter of minutes. A third date was added, and sold out immediately. If your kids are old enough to visit and young enough to enjoy Hanna Montana (and you understand that sold-out concert resale tickets are going to be a bit expensive), you can check out Hanna Montana Las Vegas Concert Tickets

Vegas On TV – The Las Vegas Bowl (Tickets) airs on ESPN at 5:00 PM Pacific Time on December 22, 2007 with BYU looking for revenge over a struggling UCLA team. Again this year, NBC’s Holiday On Ice airs on Christmas Day (check local NBC listings). The event was taped a couple of weeks ago at The Orleans.

Goodbye Sweet Louie – Checkmates singer Marvin “Sweet Louie” Smith passed away last week while performing aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean. If you have visited Las Vegas for more than a few times, you probably saw The Checkmates performing somewhere. It would be easier to list the places they didn’t play over the decades!

The past few years they alternated between The Sahara, Casino Montelago (Lake Las Vegas) and Arizona Charlies East. Sweet Louie was fond of saying that every night was a Saturday night when they were performing, and I saw them light up more than one casino lounge over the years. Video, photos and other info is still online at http://www.thecheckmates.com

Enjoy This Issue!

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


UFC Fight Night Live From The Pearl At The Palms Casino Resort – The UFC and Spike TV will return to The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada on Wednesday, January 23 for the first UFC Fight Night of 2008,(Tickets) featuring a welterweight battle between Mike Swick and Josh Burkman. “Mike Swick and Josh Burkman, two tough veterans of The Ultimate Fighter will be facing each other for the first UFC Fight Night of 2008,” said Dana White, UFC President. “Swick is dropping down to 170 pounds for this fight. He has always had speed and power, so this will be an exciting new look at him in a lighter weight class. Burkman is a great wrestler, and he brings it every time he fights. This will be an explosive main event and real test for both fighters.” Click to Read The Full Story …

Orleans Arena Hosts Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Classic – The Orleans Arena will host the third round and championship round of the sixth annual Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Classic college basketball tournament. The competing teams are Iowa State, Purdue, Alabama, Missouri State, UT Pan American, Wofford, Bethune Cookman and Texas Southern. Click to Read The Full Story …

Lance Burton & Friends Entertain At Zelzah Shrine Temple Christmas Party For Kids – Lance Burton (Tickets) finished up “The Vanishing Birdcage” at the Zelzah Shrine Temple for over 300 children on Sunday, Dec. 9. The Shriners invited the children’s families for a Sunday brunch and their annual show. This tradition began with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in the early 1950s. Special Guest Star Michael Goudeau entertained at the show for The Shriners’ clients. The comedy-juggler Goudau has performed with Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo since it opened in 1996. Gabriella Versace sang a couple of Christmas songs and comedian Magician Fielding West also performed his act at the event.

Holiday Season Computer Wallpaper – One of the big questions the past few weeks has been What happened to all the great computer wallpaper you used to make available? We’re in the process of revamping and expanding that area of AccessVegas.com. In the meantime, a couple of great wallpapers to hold you over and help out the holiday spirit.

Click on the photo of your choice to view full size and see computer wallpaper simple instructions to make the selected photo your desktop wallpaper:

Atrium at Sam’s Town Hotel Casino decorated for Christmas. The atrium features free laser light and water show. At 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM., 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM daily all year.

Bikini Greetings from the Crazy Girls (Ticket Link) at Riviera Las Vegas.

2 Million And Still Going Strong Mamma Mia! To Record Its 2 Millionth Guest At Mandalay Bay Resort And Casino – After breaking every rule on the Las Vegas Strip, MAMMA MIA! (Tickets) raises the bar again as it prepares to welcome its 2 millionth guest at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Thursday, December 13, 2007. Based on the songs of ABBA, MAMMA MIA! continues to be the longest-running and most successful full-scale Broadway musical to ever hit Las Vegas. Currently in its fifth year, MAMMA MIA! sets the precedent for Broadway musicals in Las Vegas. 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:

  • 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 19, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – August 15, 2007

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! Wow… what a great summer! We’ve had average temps (104 F) with only a couple of exceptions: An early summer week of 112-115 and a more recent week of monsoon storms with rain and humidity. But nothing last year where the overnight low didn’t dip below 90 on a couple of occasions.

Pardon Our Major Dust – We are phasing in a major upgrade to AccessVegas.com. This has been a year in the works, and we are talking into account the significant amount of your comments and suggestions. Do you ever feel that every travel site almost seems the same? We agree… we do too. Granted, we are very proud of this newsletter which was ground-breaking at the time, and continues to give Las Vegas visitors access to more of the important information every week they they will find in most any similar publication.

However, what others do simply isn’t good enough for us. We want to make both AccessVegas.com and our newsletter more fun, more interactive, and even more helpful. So… over the next 6-8 weeks we will be phasing in a new, more clean look to the site with many amazing new fun and helpful features.

We do ask for your patience: Just as many of the incredible hotel casino resorts here close off a section of the property for a brief time while they build new improvements, various areas of AccessVegas.com might not be available for short periods during this upgrade and expansion. Rest assured that all bookings and all our travel partners are up and operating 100% with no issues whatsoever. But certain sections like our famous free Las Vegas Computer Wallpaper gallery and a few other sections may not be open during this transition.

Hang with us… we are sure you will absolutely love the improvements that we bring online. While you are at it, why not tell a couple of friends about us? Send them to our Las Vegas Insider Vibe newsletter site where they can sign up to get this world-renowned newsletter and enjoy the information in our back issues!

Elvis Lives – On the 30’th anniversary of the death of The King, we want to give a huge tip of the hat to amazing Las Vegas based Elvis tribute artist Trent Carlini. I first saw him years ago at the (now imploded) Boardwalk on The Strip. (The Boardwalk was just north of the Monte Carlo, where MGM CityCenter is going in). He put on an amazing show and he now plays at The Sahara.

Many feel he is the absolute best Elvis impressionist out there, and that was validated when he won ABC Television’s Next Big Thing. He’s well worth checking out if your next visit is coming up. Even if we aren’t seeing you here anytime soon, I’m also including links go Trent Carlini audio and video for you to enjoy!

PS: A few of the great features often included in this newsletter will be absent for a couple more issues while we go through this transition. However… now is a great time to enjoy the archives including our Las Vegas Photos Gallery and our Newsletter Archives.

Enjoy This Issue!



Mamma Mia! Lights Up The Stage With Brilliant New Cast Members – In Its Fifth Year Mamma Mia! Continues To Bring Variety To The Stage – The longest-running and most successful Broadway musical to hit The Las Vegas Strip, MAMMA MIA! (Tickets), adds four new, talented principals from film, television and the stage to the Las Vegas cast on July 30, 2007. Recently celebrating its fourth anniversary in Las Vegas and still receiving rave reviews, MAMMA MIA! is fun, energetic and makes “you feel like you’re part of the event”- Las Vegas Review-Journal. Actress Libby Winters, joins MAMMA MIA! in the lead role of Sophie Sheridan, the bride-to-be. With experience in film, television and stage including “The Like Girl,” “Champs” and the New York musical White Noise, Winters brings new life to the show. Click to Read The Full Story …

Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois To Host Culinary Competition – Las Vegas Chefs Challenge – Battle: Aloha Soy – WHAT: Top chefs from around the Valley will go head-to-head to see whose cuisine reigns supreme at the Las Vegas Chef Challenge — Battle: Aloha Soy. Using soy sauce, the special ingredient from event sponsor Aloha Soy, chefs will compete to win the chance to represent Las Vegas at the national competition in Hawaii. WHEN: Saturday, September 15, 2007 12 p.m. — 3 p.m. Click to Read The Full Story …

Temptations Review Featuring Dennis Edwards To Perform At Whiskey Pete’s Showroom – The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards will perform at Whiskey Pete’s Showroom in Primm, Nev., on Friday, August 24 and Saturday, August 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets, priced at $24.99 plus applicable tax and fees are available at Whiskey Pete’s Box Office and through Ticketmaster. Edwards, former lead singer of The Temptations, began singing at age seven. This talented musician and gifted vocalist is known as one of the most influential vocal singers in the history of pop music. He has joined, left, and rejoined The Temptations three times. Click to Read The Full Story …

Las Vegas glitters with showy productions and theatre. But that may be changing as lush, innovative productions attract audiences like never before. The American Theatre Critics Association held its 2007 annual meeting smack in the heart of The Strip. Las Vegas critic Anthony Del Valle of the Las Vegas Review Journal and Michael Grossberg of The Dispatch in Columbus, Ohio, co-chaired the event, where 136 critics gathered from around the country. Click to Read The Full Story …

David Copperfield’s An Intimate Evening Of Grand Illusion Returns To MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theatre – Master magician and illusionist David Copperfield (Tickets) continues his 2007 tour at MGM Grand’s intimate 740-seat Hollywood Theatre with scheduled performances August 16 through September 19. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. with an additional 4:30 p.m. matinee show on August 18 and 25; September 1, 2, 3, 8 and 15. David Copperfield, whom the New York Times calls “our era’s giant of magic,” is touting An Intimate Evening Of Grand Illusion as his most spectacular stage show ever. Dazzling new illusions include “Lottery,” one of the most incredible predictions in the history of magic. 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!

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.

August 15, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – July 25, 2007

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.

Can’t see all the great photos and graphics? Click to Read This Issue Online! Need to contact us? Send feedback to AllVegasTV@aol.com

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!
Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online. This newsletter is free!

This newsletter is published exclusively for visitors to AccessVegas.Com and can only be signed up for there. We do not buy or rent lists, and this information is only for our members and guests. If you feel you have received it in error, click the unsubscribe link at the bottom. To subscribe, visit our Newsletter Site.


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! I’m not sure if we are in Nevada or Florida with the wacky weather we’ve had the past few days. Thunderstorms in the evening, periods of heavy rain and wind, and temps below normal with muggy nights. While some places get rain and wet winters, summer is our “monsoon” season. Having said that, nothing that really interrupts a vacation. The rain dumps then moves on 20 minutes later and cools the air a bit.

A few of you wondered where the brand new Bellagio Conservatory Route 66 photos promised for last issue were. Because of the huge piles of great Las Vegas info we had backlogged, we put out a special bonus issue over last weekend. This regularly schedules issue is here, and has all the great photos as promised. The Route 66 themed botanical display is truly one of the best seasonal displays they have ever done (and I’ve seen most of them)! Click to View Bellagio Gardens Route 66 Theme Photos

Our congratulations to Judy Craymer, the Producer of the world-renowned Mamma Mia! including Mamma Mia! Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay. She was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II for her exceptional contributions to the theatrical community. Craymer was awarded Member of the British Empire, MBE, at the Queen’s Birthday Honours amongst other prominent figures in the entertainment industry. “This is one of the most exciting things to have happened to me in my professional life,” said Craymer. “Obviously I’m delighted. You never think you will be chosen and it is just wonderful to receive such recognition. It’s a real honor.”

Major Upgrades and Improvements… And It Is About Time! Over the next few weeks, you’ll see some amazing (and long planned) improvements here at AccessVegas.com. Your ability to book rooms, shows and everything else won’t be interrupted. However, we may have an intermittent newsletter schedule and some areas of the site will appear a bit bare bones during the upgrades. Pardon our dust the next few weeks. The end result will be a site much easier to use, navigate, and will have special new fun features for newsletter and site members.

Enjoy This Issue!



Featured Report and Photo Set:
Bellagio Gardens Summer 2007 Route 66

Take A Route 66 Road Trip Through Bellagio’s Conservatory and Gardens – Celebrate the Joys of Summer with Colorful Flowers – a Classic Corvette and a 42-foot Ferris Wheel (photos by Mark Jacobs, story courtesy of Bellagio) – This summer Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens provides nostalgic stops along the historical Route 66, the 2,400-mile highway that connected Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through three time zones and eight states. The Conservatory’s route is filled with thousands of vibrant plants, flowers and trees, a country fair and an automobile museum piece, offering a captivating view of summertime adventures. The Conservatory welcomes guests with a sumptuous roadside market replete with fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Coastal Redwoods, Weeping Willows, red roses and blue agapanthus flowers are overgrown along the roadside where the two market carts have made a home. The market’s red and green apples, cantaloupes, watermelons, tomatoes, broccoli and peppers tempt travelers and set the mood for the colorful and diverse display. The next stop on Bellagio’s Route 66 is a quiet town park. Here, beautiful rose hedges lead to a three-tiered fountain, 12-feet-tall and eight-feet-wide, where water gently flows amid luscious white statice flowers, red yarrow plants and moss. The rose hedges, filled with 4,000 red, orange, pink, yellow and peach Russian-cut roses, form cozy areas with vintage park benches while street lamps provide a soft glow.

The enchanting centerpiece of this memorable exhibit is a 42-foot Ferris wheel within a country fair setting. Surrounded by sunflowers and tent-tops, the authentic Ferris wheel’s seats are full of flowing ivy and glorious sunflowers.

High above the fair, three “cold air” balloons float up and down as would-be spectators survey the magnificent gardens and roadways below. The Conservatory’s Route 66 road trip ends as guests watch a classic convertible “drive” into the sunset. The 1962 fawn beige Corvette, loaned to Bellagio by the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, is featured on a road of “Chocolate Chip” Ajuga plants and white statice flowers. A trio of vintage gas pumps, a desert landscape with Saguaro Cacti, and beautiful red Celosia and white azalea flowers provide the backdrop. Visitors are invited to enjoy the summer display at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens through September 8.

Summer Exhibit Fast Facts:

  • Total number of plants used: 10,000 flowers and 4,000 plants
  • Number of flower species: 7
  • Number of tree species: 3
  • 1962 fawn beige Corvette on loan from the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY
  • 42-foot authentic Ferris wheel was specially installed without a motor to ensure minimal movement

Click to enjoy the entire
Bellagio Gardens Summer 2007 Route 66 Photo Set

Grammy Award-Winning Artist Toni Braxton Extends Her Run At Flamingo Las Vegas Through February 16, 2008Flamingo Las Vegas announces that it will extend the successful live show, Toni Braxton: Revealed, through February 16, 2008. (Tickets) Six-time Grammy Award-winning artist and international headlining performer Toni Braxton opened her spectacular production in August 2006 and has been dazzling audiences ever since. Toni Braxton: Revealed is a sexy, entertaining and intimate evening with the woman who interprets the emotional essence of a song as no other artist can. Click to Read The Full Story …

The Ultimate Summer Party With Country Music Star Toby Keith As He Brings His “Big Dog Daddy Tour 2007” To Mandalay Bay Saturday, Sept. 8 With Special Guests Miranda Lambert & Flynnville Train – Toby Keith, a multi-platinum country music superstar and one of the most recognizable entertainers in the nation, will bring his “Big Dog Daddy Tour 2007” to the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, Sept. 8. (Tickets) ACMA award-winner Miranda Lambert as well as Flynnville Train will open the show at 8 p.m. Following a career-changing 2006, Keith launched his 2007 blockbuster tour in March and has big plans for the remainder of 2007 that include Las Vegas! Click to Read The Full Story …

The Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater Continuing The American Legacy Of Excellence In Dance – Premiere Performance September 4, 2007 – Las Vegas’s new multicultural repertoire dance company, The Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater (LVCDT), presents its debut season at The Cashman Theater on September 4th at 7:30pm & 5th at 2:00 p.m. LVCDT will present world-premiere Ballets, performed by acclaimed dancers from around the world, by choreographers, Donald McKayle and Bernard Gaddis. The evening will begin with the premiere performance of LVCDT at 7:30pm, following a post performance reception. Click to Read The Full Story …



Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photos: – Paul Woodall said

Here are a few Vegas photos that you may use for your e-letter!

Click on any of the above photos for more photos of each hotel, or enjoy all the photos in our Las Vegas Photo Gallery.

If you have a great photo of Las Vegas to share with our readers (can be artistic or just a really enjoyable photo), send them to us at allvegastv@aol.com.


Dear Ted:Up until now all of our trips to Las Vegas have leaned more towards shopping, sight seeing etc. This year we are planning a trip to Vegas but haven’t decided when yet because I’d like to aim this trip more for my husbands interests, (after all that shopping it only seems fair!).

He is very much a car enthusiast, anything relating to cars, car shows, hot rods, racing etc. having been in the body shop industry all his working life. When and where would be some good things to take in along these lines? Any advice would be appreciated it, especially by him.

Thank-you,
Heather Holcik

Ted Responds:

Imperial Palace Auto Collection is a must see on The Strip for any car enthusiast. The selection changes on a regular basis as cars are displayed and sold, but plenty of interesting variety. They claim $100,000,000 worth of inventory at any given time.

If a racing fan, Richard Petty Experience isn’t cheap, but will let you drive an actual race car around the same speedway NASCAR races on.

Wynn Las Vegas has Nevada’s exclusive factory-authorized Ferrari and Maserati dealership. Might want to poke your head in there.

Hope this helps!


Have a Vegas comment or question? Post To Our Message Boards!

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

  • Post a trip report to our brand new Trip Report Message Board section! (Simply click on the New Thread option. You may be prompted to register if a fist time user. That keeps our boards safe and spam-free)!
  • Post a comment, Vegas suggestion, or question to the appropriate category of our Message Boards.
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.
  • Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!

Readers Rants, Raves, and Questions – Great reader questions and comments from our Access Vegas Message Boards. Help someone out or post your own comment or question!


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:

  • Civic Holiday (Canada) August 6 (3 day weekend)
  • 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!

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.

July 25, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – July 4, 2007

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
Free Photos, Wallpaper, and Streaming Videos

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Huge local news week out of Las Vegas, but not necessarily for the right reasons. So we’ll jump right in:

Moron Shoots Up The New York, New York – A deranged man who apparently was looking for a fight with the police and going through immense personal troubles opened gunfire in New York, New York Hotel Casino.

Two off-duty police and two military guys tackled him and kept further harm from happening until security and local police arrived. (Side Note: The hotel noted that they are taking very good care of these heroes and will also invite them for a comped return visit). No one was killed, and injuries to a very few were minor. We’ve gathered the following news links:

Last year, we had the guy high on various substances and (allegedly) thinking that people were after him and that he had to inflict harm on people drove up on the sidewalk by Ballys killing and injuring a number of people.

So, how safe is Las Vegas? Let’s put a few things in perspective: Over 41,000,000 people visit Las Vegas each year. Incidents like this are amazingly few and far between.

In fact, committing a crime in our tourism areas is a foolish act considering that our Metro (Local) Police patrol The Strip, each casino has extensive security to keep you (and their cash) safe, and cameras are everywhere. Very few places on the Las Vegas Strip exist where you are out of site of a security camera.

Let’s put this in a personal perspective: I’ve lived here almost 15 years and have visited The Strip in “tourist” mode* thousands of times. (* Tourist mode meaning out and about actually on The Strip, just as you the tourist would as opposed to someone working in a casino who enters through the back then goes home without ever walking The Strip and experiencing all of the things you do).

I’ve encountered no problems, never been worried, and won’t be staying away from our tourism areas. I’m no math wizard, but you seriously probably have a better chance on winning tens of millions on a Megabucks machine than the odds of having something harmful happen to you while visiting Las Vegas.

The other big story was the heat. Yes… it got damn hot. 116 degrees last week, with overnight lows in the 90’s. A few related stories:

Look… I love Las Vegas. 110 doesn’t register with me. Hot? Yes. But not a problem. We get temps 115 and above less often than many cold climates get blizzards or ice storms. Give me 110 any day over freezing temps. I don’t own snow chains, snow tires, a snow shovel, and own far more shorts than long pants.

Having said that… when visiting here in the summer, please take precautions. Stay indoors, and still keep drinking plenty of water. Our humidity last week dipped to 3% on a number of occasions. Even indoors, water is being sapped out of your body.

My water tip? Skip the bars and their expensive, little water bottles. Every hotel has a gift shop, where you will find more reasonable prices. Up and down The Strip are various sundry stores that also will have big, cold bottles of water at reasonable prices. Use them. (By the way… this same tip for finding more reasonably prices bottles of water also works for finding reasonably priced beer all year long).

Enjoy This Issue!



Mamma Mia! Lights Up The Stage With Brilliant New Cast Members – In Its Fifth Year Mamma Mia! Continues To Bring Variety To The Stage – The longest-running and most successful Broadway musical to hit The Las Vegas Strip, MAMMA MIA! (Tickets), adds four new, talented principals from film, television and the stage to the Las Vegas cast on July 30, 2007. Recently celebrating its fourth anniversary in Las Vegas and still receiving rave reviews, MAMMA MIA! is fun, energetic and makes “you feel like you’re part of the event”- Las Vegas Review-Journal. Actress Libby Winters, joins MAMMA MIA! in the lead role of Sophie Sheridan, the bride-to-be. With experience in film, television and stage including “The Like Girl,” “Champs” and the New York musical White Noise, Winters brings new life to the show. Click to Read The Full Story …

Academy Of Country Music Awards Nominee Diamond Rio Is Set To Perform Friday, July 13 At Whiskey Pete’s Showroom – After their recent Academy of Country Music nominations for “Vocal Group of the Year” and “Vocal Collaboration of the Year” for “Me And God,” Diamond Rio will perform at Whiskey Pete’s Showroom in Primm, Nev., on Friday, July 13 at 9 p.m. (Tickets) Diamond Rio is best known for their classic songs “Meet in the Middle” and “Love a Little Stronger” and their latest hits “I Believe” and “What a Beautiful Mess.” Click to Read The Full Story …

American Superstars Show At The Stratosphere Casino Hotel And Tower To Add Prince Tribute For A Limited Engagement – The American Superstars (Tickets) show at the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower will add Jason Tenner as Prince to its line-up of celebrity tributes to yesterday’s and today’s hottest music stars for a limited engagement beginning July 9, announced American Casino & Entertainment Properties officials. “Jason Tenner is a veteran performer who makes you believe that you are hearing and seeing Prince. It takes a very talented showman to even come close to matching the raw energy and musical brilliance that makes Prince so endearing to his fans,” says Mark Callas, who produces American Superstars with his Springtime Productions partner, Donny Moore. Click to Read The Full Story …

Las Vegas Kwik-E-Mart – Yes, the Las Vegas area has one of the only a handful 7-11 stores across the U.S. which have been converted to Kwik-E-Mart stores in honor of the new Simpsons movie. The location is in the suburb of Henderson at 1400 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy, Henderson, NV 89012

Unfortunately, it is about 14 miles from The Strip. Unless you drive to town or have a rental car, expect a $40-60 cab trip (and excessive problems getting a cab back for the return trip. Cabs don’t like serving area neighborhoods when they can be long-hauling tourists, running up the meter, and generally giving out crappy advice that makes them sound “helpful” in search of a bigger tip). Also, be prepared for something that shocks many visitors: You’ll end up in a nice but very normal neighborhood that is night-and-day from the glitz of The Strip.

Gladys Knight Set To Perform At Buffalo Bill’s Star Of The Desert Arena – Motown diva and Las Vegas veteran Gladys Knight will perform at Buffalo Bill’s Star of the Desert Arena in Primm, Nev., on Friday, July 20 at 9 p.m. Best known for time spent as Gladys Knight & the Pips, Knight celebrates her beginnings as well as finds success as a solo artist. Her soulful R&B songs appeal to a variety of audiences with favorites such as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Midnight Train to Georgia” and singles “That’s What Friends Are For” and “End of the Road Medley: If You Don’t Know Me By Now.” Click to Read The Full Story …

Crazy Girls Volunteer For Double Date To Benefit Adam & Eve Fling – New Vista Community For Handicapped Adults To Benefit From Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction – Two of the dancer-performers from the “Crazy Girls,” (Tickets) the Russian model Valentina Smirnova and California beauty Summer Ferguson will be the first ladies on the auction block on Thursday, July 12th for a double date at the 4th Annual Adam and Eve Charity Love Fling Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction at The Empire Ballroom to benefit the New Vista Community. A VIP table of eight is $500 or VIP tickets are $65 per person while general admission is $20 per person. To purchase VIP tickets call Molly at 702.457.4677 at Ext. 27 or go online at newvistacommunity.org. You must be 21 to attend this function. The VIP party will be from 6 p.m. to about 7:15 p.m. The VIP admission includes guaranteed seating, a cocktail, appetizers; early admission and an awesome goodie bag. The bidding begins at 7:45 p.m. with the “Crazy Girls.” Click to Read The Full Story …

Vegas Photo Set Of The Week:– will return next week. Please enjoy the thousands of great Las Vegas photos archives in our Access Vegas Photo Gallery. Also, scroll down for some great reader submitted photos this week!

Gambling Talk: Playing Middle Pairs In Tournaments – Part Two – with Victor H. Royer. Playing pocket 10s in late positions: Whenever you find yourself in late positions with pocket 10s, and the action has either been passed to you, or there have been only one or two limpers before it becomes your turn to act, play pocket 10s as if they were pocket Aces. By playing them so strongly you will advertise the fact that you indeed have a very strong hand, and therefore are likely to win not only the blinds, if those are the only opponents whom you are facing, but also the amount that has been invested in this pot by the limpers who have so called before you. Click to Read Complete Article…



Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photos:

I saw you note about photos of Vegas in your last newsletter, here’s some from one of our previous trips a year or so ago. I thought I’d try some night shots. We’re from Basingstoke in the UK, and will hopefully get back to Vegas some time in the next couple of years.

Geoff Hawley
(5 – maybe 6 time Vegas visitor)

Ted Responds:

Thanks for sharing stunning photos! We know that many of you enjoy playing with your digital camera settings and are getting some amazing photos of Las Vegas (especially at night when things really light up).

If you have a great photo of Las Vegas to share with our readers (can be artistic or just a really enjoyable photo), send them to us at allvegastv@aol.com.


Have a Vegas comment or question? Post To Our Message Boards!

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

  • Post a trip report to our brand new Trip Report Message Board section! (Simply click on the New Thread option. You may be prompted to register if a fist time user. That keeps our boards safe and spam-free)!
  • Post a comment, Vegas suggestion, or question to the appropriate category of our Message Boards.
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.
  • Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!

Readers Rants, Raves, and Questions – Great reader questions and comments from our Access Vegas Message Boards. Help someone out or post your own comment or question!

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:

  • Civic Holiday (Canada) August 6 (3 day weekend)
  • 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!

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.

July 4, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 28, 2007

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
Free Photos, Wallpaper, and Streaming Videos

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Our thanks to reader Mike Jauken who found the source of the “hit you three ways” quote in our last issue. It was part of a routine by Christian comedian Mike Warnke during the 70’s.

Mamma Mia! Celebrates Four Years – A big congratulation to Mamma Mia! on four successful years in Las Vegas. Many shows have come and gone during that time, and Mamma Mia continues to draw rave reviews. In celebration, we have added some new Mamma Mia photos to our online photo gallery this week. We want to celebrate and hook you up: Save $30 right now on Mamma Mia tickets!

St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness – start at the same time on March 15-18 with St. Patrick’s day on Saturday March 17, 2007!

Combined with some spring break dates around the country, this is already shaping up to be one of the big-time fun weekends of the year. Check your schedule, put in for the time off, get a friend who will call you in sick… whatever it takes. Get your friends together, check with our friends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals and get your rooms before they are sold out. This is a guys weekend not to be missed.

NASCAR UAW Daimler-Chrysler 400 – The March 11, 2007 Las Veags race is sold out at the box office, but we have tickets available for what is one of the premier (and most viewed) races on the cup circuit: NASCAR Nextel Cup Series: UAW Daimler-Chrysler 400 Tickets

Correction On PokerIn our last issue we posted a note from Rita Hawn of Ultimate Poker Challenge about how you can all go down and watch the show film downtown, and even have a chance to sign up and play. The good news? We printed the URL just as they sent it. The bad news? Then sent a wrong web address. The correct one is http://www.ultimatepokerchallenge.com

Insider Tourist Traffic Tips – Our local “Road Warrior” traffic columnist Omar Sofradzija wrote an article called Survival tips for NBA fans a couple of weeks ago. It was to help the NBA All-Star fans get around (car, cab, public transportation), but has tons of good info for any visitor coming at any time.

Canadian Correction – Our apologies to our Canadian readers as we had Canadian Thanksgiving incorrectly listed in our “Hot Holidays” at the end of the newsletter.

Enjoy This Issue!



Celine Dion – A New Day

Celine Dion - A New Dayby Amy Rayner-Cooley

Celine Dion in “A New Day…” is, in one word amazing! After only one song, I was not only completely enthralled, but I could see why “A New Day…” is one of the hottest tickets in town.

Featuring many of Celine’s most recognizable songs including, “The Power of Love”, “Because You Loved Me”, “I Drove All Night” and “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now”, no one will walk away from this masterpiece disappointed. Celine’s powerful voice is even more beautiful in person than I could have imagined and completely explains why this show sells out weeks in advance. Click to Read The Full Review…

Two Cases Of Mistaken Elvis Identity ‘Legends’ Impersonator On Two Mag Covers, Each Wrong Name – In a town with nearly as many Elvises as there are buffets, those who impersonate the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll with style, grace and real talent stand far and above the rest of the sideburned wannabes in jumpsuits. At the top is Matt Lewis, featured performer of Legends in Concert (Show Ticket Link), the celebrity tribute spectacular now in its 24th year at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino. Lewis first impersonated Elvis for a school talent show when he was 12 years old. Now, six nights every week, two shows per night for the past four years, Lewis leaves the ladies swooning in the aisles with his charm, boyish good looks, commanding voice and dead-ringer compelling impersonation of the truck driver from Tupelo. Click to Read The Full Story …

Sahara Sold To California Businessman: Resort Facing ‘Tremendous’ Renovation – A Hollywood movie producer, restaurateur and nightclub owner has bought the aging Moroccan-themed Sahara, the Review-Journal learned Friday night. Sam Nazarian, through his Los Angeles-based SBE Entertainment Group, agreed to purchase the Sahara from the family of late casino pioneer William Bennett. No purchase price was disclosed, but sources said the transaction was between $300 million and $400 million for the 17.45-acre parcel on the Strip that includes the 1,720-room hotel-casino. Click to Read The Full Story …

Indulge in a Decadent Tequila Toast – Take your taste buds on a decadent journey south of the border inside Isla Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar at Treasure Island. For $99, a beautiful and seductive Tequila Goddess will come to your table and create your very own “Goddess Elixir” right before your eyes. This indulgent yet tasty concoction features Herradura Seleccion Suprema, one of the world’s finest aged tequilas, 100-year old Grand Marnier, Cointreau and fresh citrus syrup.

Inspirada, One of the Largest New Urbanist Communities in the U.S., Officially Opens in Southern Nevada – Inspirada, a precedent-setting nearly 2,000-acre master-planned community in the southern foothills of the Las Vegas valley, will open its information center on Saturday, February 24. The Information Center will allow prospective homebuyers to get a firsthand glimpse of the design and vision for the community which features progressive architectural design and the integration of residential, commercial and recreational areas within the master plan. In conjunction with the opening of the Inspirada Information Center, KB Home’s 17 model homes and sales office will open. Click to Read The Full Story …

Fred Leighton Bellagio Celebrates Women with Rare American History Exhibit – March is WomenÆs History Month and what better way to celebrate women than with fine jewels! Join Fred Leighton Bellagio now through April 5 as they offer a rare chance to view and own extraordinary, collectible pieces of American history. Many of these acclaimed works of art have graced dignitaries, historical figures and legendary celebrities such as Joan Crawford, Loretta Young and Georgia OÆKeefe. All the jewelry was crafted by American artists and each design is reflective of the year it was created. Fred Leighton is located among the luxury retailers of Via Bellagio and is the only Nevada location to feature the display.

Gambling Talk: Playing Internet Tournaments — Part 5 — Faster Play – with Victor H. Royer. Real world poker players, especially those used to land-based poker tournaments, tend to be comfortable in sitting around for many hours without actually playing any hands, because they understand that the real world poker tournaments are marathons that usually take many hours, and often many days to complete. As a result, they pace themselves differently compared to the world of the Internet poker tournament. Therefore, when they now find themselves sitting in front of their computer and playing on Internet poker tournament, they tend to be overwhelmed by the very nature of the game, and its accompanying speed. Click to Read Complete Article

Vegas Photo Set Of The Week: Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian – Whether it’s a stroll along a cobblestone walkway, or a relaxing ride in an authentic Italian gondola, The Grand Canal Shoppes offers a shopping experience like no other. Enjoy world class dining, shopping and elegance in an atmosphere of sophistication and refinement. Enjoy all that life has to offer… indulge in the uniqueness of The Grand Canal Shoppes. Benvenuto!

Vegas Streaming Video Of The Week: MonteLago Village Resort at Lake Las Vegas – The theme of this mega-resort is unmistakably Mediterranean. If you’re looking for a resort away from the electricity of the Vegas strip, yet want everything that Vegas has to offer, the MonteLago will surpass your expectations. The MonteLago Village Resort is located about 18 miles from the Vegas strip, on the shores of Lake Las Vegas. Not that you’ll want to leave the resort..

  • Click To View MonteLago Village Resort at Lake Las Vegas: Broadband (only)


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photo – Roy Rawlinson submitted this great photo of Luxor Las Vegas:

If you have a great photo of Las Vegas to share with our readers (can be artistic or just a really enjoyable photo), send them to us at allvegastv@aol.com. Click to more Photos of Luxor Las Vegas.


Hi Ted,I was wondering if you could email the newsletter to my home email as well as my office? My home email address is (redacted for privacy).

Great newsletters by the way. My fiance and I love Las Vegas and would love to live there, not just for the strip, but for everything including it’s proximity to other attractions. We’ve been twice in the last two years and getting regular newsletters makes be feel better about not being there.

Thanks again.

Linda Clifton

Ted Responds:

Linda, Not a problem! Everyone is welcome to subscribe both with a home and work (or secondary) address so they get enjoy reading wherever they are. Anyone wishing to subscribe a first (or second) email address can use the form on our main newsletter page.

Most people who live here generally don’t go near The Strip (unless they work there or for a special night out). Las Vegas is a very different place being in the desert and with the mix of new residents from all over the world. People who move here with the attitude of enjoying the entire area as a place to live enjoy living here the most!


Hi Ted,Love the newsletter. Have a question for you. I like to rent a vehicle while we stay in Las Vegas. I’ve heard a lot of rumors about the new central rental car facility but haven’t been able to pinpoint when it opens and exactly where it’s going to be. Do you have any updates?

Thanks and keep up the good work.

Rich

Ted Responds:

Rick, I drive by it a couple times a month. It is at 7200 Gilespie Street, Las Vegas, 89123 (Google Map Link). It is on the left side of the street. I don’t have a definitive date, but it is getting close. Certainly will be sometime this year.

Special personal tip when using it:

From the looks of the traffic set-up already in place, it looks like they will encourage people to head south out of the facility, and use Warm Springs over to Las Vegas Blvd. Screw that. Turn north out of the rental car facility, and take Gilespie north up to Sunset. Left (west) on Sunset to Las Vegas Blvd. You’ll miss a lot of traffic and the intersection of Las Vegas Blvd. and I-215 (our beltway).

Or for you who enjoy using Paradise to avoid Strip traffic, north on Gilespie, turn right (east) on George Crocket Rd which will directly put you into the airport tunnel onto Paradise. Just for fun, don’t miss glancing at the Harrah’s World Headquarters at George Crocket and Bermuda if you take that route. Hope it helps and makes it more fun to look forward to your next trip!


Have a Vegas comment or question? Post To Our Message Boards!

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

  • Post a trip report to our brand new Trip Report Message Board section! (Simply click on the New Thread option. You may be prompted to register if a fist time user. That keeps our boards safe and spam-free)!
  • Post a comment, Vegas suggestion, or question to the appropriate category of our Message Boards.
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.
  • Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!

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:

  • 2007

  • St. Patricks Day March 17 (Falls on a Saturday)
  • March Madness (NCAA Basketball Playoffs) March 15-18, March 22-25, Final Four March 31-April 2
  • Victoria Day (Canada) May 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 26-28 (3 day weekend)
  • Mothers Day May 13
  • Fathers Day June 17
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday (Canada) August 6 (3 day weekend)
  • 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!

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.

February 28, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

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