Tag Archives: Newkirk’s Notes

Access Vegas Insider Vibe October 30, 2013

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

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

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows

Thanksgiving Las Vegas 2013

Celebrate A November To Remember With Holiday Specials At Trevi – Trevi will be open during full normal operating hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. Pastry Chef Hank Sbraccia will honor the occasion by offering a specialty cranberry gelato from Monday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Dec. 1, for $4.50 per scoop. The unique creation combines dried cranberries, vanilla gelato, a cranberry juice reduction and simple syrup.

Following Thanksgiving, shoppers bustling through The Forum Shops for Black Friday will enjoy a moment’s peace with Trevi’s Bellinis, priced exclusively at $3 for the entire day on Friday, Nov. 29.

Las Vegas Shows, Headliners, And Concerts

Las Vegas Dining

Lavo Launches Third Season Of Saturday Champagne Brunch And Debuts Proper Brunch Every Sunday – Brunch season kicked into full swing at Lavo Italian Restaurant and Nightclub the weekend of October 19 and 20, 2013 as the third season of its famed champagne party brunch kicks off on Saturday and a new proper brunch is introduced on Sunday.

More Las Vegas News

Guests Will “See Red” At Valentino’s “Rogue” Exhibit At The Shops At Crystals – Valentino invites you to discover its exclusive ROUGE exhibit at The Shops at Crystals. The ROUGE exhibit showcases red-only ready-to-wear looks from Pre-Fall 2013 Collection, as well as pieces from the Valentino Garavani “Rockstud Rouge” Collection, which consists of best-selling iconic accessories including handbags, shoes and small leather goods. Featuring linear compositions and all-over lacquered studs, the pieces are displayed within glossy red trunks for a high-impact statement.

Rockhouse Plays Some Beer Pong During Tournament Tuesdays – Every Tuesday, beer pong-loving partygoers can compete in Tournament Tuesdays at Rockhouse, located at Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian | The Palazzo. Starting at 9 p.m., the ultra-dive bar offers complimentary, all-night open bar access and tournament entry to employees of The Venetian, The Palazzo, Grand Canal Shoppes and all local industry with valid ID that sign-up. Locals and Sin City visitors can purchase tournament entry and open bar access for $25.

Neon Nights Helicopter Air TourNeon Nights Helicopter Air Tour – Sip champagne prior to boarding one of the Neon Nights helicopter tours and then take off for an unparalleled perspective of the “City of Lights.” Your Las Vegas sightseeing tour takes you: Over the famed Las Vegas Strip, brushing close to popular sites;

Ascend above downtown Glitter Gulch before approaching the neon splendor of some of the world’s most renowned megaresorts; Near Las Vegas’ newest addition, City Center; Soaring over the enchanting Bellagio fountains; And over the never-fading light of the Luxor pyramid.

Click To Book Your Neon Nights Helicopter Air Tour Now!

Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

Latest Las Vegas Concerts Added This Week!

There is no better place to see your favorite acts then in Las Vegas! You’re relaxed, can enjoy a fine meal, have some cocktails without the worry of driving, and no alarm is going to jar you awake all too early the next morning.

Top Tickets For All United States Events

Did you know that we not only sell premium concert and event tickets for Las Vegas, but also for the entire United States as well? If you can’t make it to Vegas, treat yourself to some great seats for something near you:

Most Popular Sports Tickets Most Popular Concert Tickets
NFL Tickets Beyonce Tickets
– Dallas Cowboys Tickets Cher Tickets
– San Francisco 49ers Tickets Drake Tickets
– New Orleans Saints Tickets Eagles Tickets
– Denver Broncos Tickets Elton John Tickets
World Series Tickets George Strait
NHL Tickets Jason Aldean Tickets
– Chicago Blackhawks Tickets Jay Z Tickets
– Pittsburgh Penguins Tickets John Mayer Tickets
– Washington Capitals Tickets Justin Timberlake Tickets
– Detroit Red Wings Tickets Kanye West Tickets
NBA Tickets Michael Buble Tickets
– Los Angeles Lakers Tickets Pearl Jam Tickets
– Miami HEAT Tickets Pink Tickets
College Football Tickets Zac Brown Band Tickets

Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – 77 mile per hour gusting winds ushered out summer over this past weekend. For the most part, temperatures the next couple of weeks will be pretty much in line with the average November high of 67 F. First time visitors or those who traditionally don’t visit during the cooler months can be unpleasantly prepared during our four cooler months. So for the record, the December, January, and February averages are 57, 58, and 63 respectively. Dress accordingly. (We get back to 70 in March).

Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino sign

Luck Be A Lady – One of the often-asked questions over the past few years has been “What is up with the Lady Luck”? Regular Vegas visitors know that the Lady Luck was a fairly loved downtown hotel/casino catering the mid-range visitor. It was closed for renovation in early 2006. Fast forward over seven years…

Street view of the exterior of Downtown Grand

The Lady Luck has just (and finally) reopened as the Downtown Grand after $100 million in renovations. Note: The “official” opening is on 11.12.13 (get it) but the soft opening was this past Sunday evening at 5 PM with the casino, rooms, bars, and some dining options functional.

Steve Wynn makes the first roll at the craps table at Downtown Grand
Las Vegas casino owner legend Steve Wynn tosses out the first ceremonial roll of the dice. Photo courtesy Downtown Grand

The Steward & Ogden Restaurant inside Downtown Grand
Stewart and Ogden restaurant has a two-faceted menu representing the different tastes of the restaurant namesakes, both of which played rolls in the founding of Las Vegas.

Sexy girl poses with frozen margarita machines at the Night Island Bar inside Downtown Grand
Ninth Island features the Hawaiian favorite of shave ice (not a typo) and the ever-popular slushy booze drinks.

The Art Bar inside Downtown Grand
Art Bar

The ceiling of the Art Bar inside Downtown Grand
Ceiling of the Art Bar

Hotel registration and lobby of Downtown Grand
Registration Area

Gamblers play craps during the soft opening of the Downtown Grand
Busy casino on opening night. Photo courtesy Downtown Grand

Downtown Grand is a must-see on your next downtown visit. Go to where the Four Queens meets The D and walk one block north (away from the performance stage).

Hope you are enjoying this issue! I’m enjoying family in town and missing regular features will return next week.

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts and Headliners: Amy Rayner-Cooley

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

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

Access Vegas Insider Vibe October 23, 2013

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

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

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows

Halloween Las Vegas 2013

Take A Stab At Your Best Pumpkin Carving For A Chance To Win Tickets To Las Vegas’ Hottest Show Absinthe – Are you bored and looking for something new and creative to do for the Halloween season? Then why not pick up a pumpkin and use your imagination to carve the best pumpkin creation for a chance to win tickets to the hottest show in Las Vegas, Absinthe at Caesars Palace. Absinthe’s incompetent assistant to The Gazillionaire, Penny Pibbets has announced the Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest for all fans to enter.

Fremont Street Experience Hosts Fifth Annual OktoberFrightFest – Fremont Street Experience will once again transform itself for the Fifth Annual OktoberFrightFest, combining Oktoberfest and Halloween for the ultimate street party, taking place through October 31. The spooktacular festivities will include free performances from the popular stage production show “Frank & The Steins,” Viva Vision light and sound shows themed to “Time Warp” and “Monster Mash,” and the Fourth Annual Fall Beer Festival at Golden Nugget.

Rice & Company Bewitches This Halloween With Sushi And Sake Duo Now Through October 31, 2013 – Rice & Company at Luxor Hotel and Casino will offer adult Halloween enthusiasts, who are interested in more treats than tricks, a celebratory sushi and sake pairing throughout the month of October.

The Wicked Roll of the West, made with spicy tuna, yellowtail, cucumber and avocado, topped with spicy mayo, will be paired with the spooktacular Demon Slayer sake, which features a clean, subtle and dry taste, creating a bewitching flavor combination. The sushi and sake duo will be priced at $30.

Las Vegas Shows, Headliners, And Concerts

PBR And NFR

PBR Rock Bar Hosts Ultimate Professional Bull Riders World Finals Celebration – PBR Rock Bar & Grill inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino will partner with Pabst Blue Ribbon and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey to be the ultimate headquarters for the Professional Bull Riders World Finals from Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 27.

Starting at 9:30 p.m., top riders will kick-off the official after-party on Thursday, Oct. 24, with red carpet appearances followed by the official draw and a live Q-and-A session with the crowd. Former American Idol contestant, Morgan Leigh, will keep the party rocking with live performances at 9 and 11:30 p.m.

Las Vegas Dining

Football Season Las Vegas

More Las Vegas News

Victoria’s Wedding Chapel Gives Away Complimentary Wedding Ceremonies To Veterans And Active Duty Military On Veteran’s Day – Victoria’s Wedding Chapel will give away complimentary wedding ceremonies to all active duty military members and veterans all day from noon to 8 p.m. to commemorate Veteran’s Day on Monday, November 11.

“We want to show how much we appreciate everything that the men and women of the military do to keep our country safe,” said Janeen Hinden, owner of Victoria’s Wedding Chapel. “Giving them this special day is the least we can do.”

Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Ground TourGrand Canyon National Park South Rim Ground Tour – Visit the widest and deepest part of Grand Canyon National Park on a guided exploration tour. Your tour travels through the Mojave Desert, across the Colorado River and along historic Route 66. Enjoy a photo stop at the Grand Canyon Railway in historic Williams, AZ. where you will have approximately 3 hours to enjoy several south rim magnificent canyon overlooks. Your experienced guide will ensure you get the best views from Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Grand Canyon Village. Highlights & Features: Morning snack, A delicious lunch is included along with time to visit cultural exhibits and shopping, National Park entry fees, Bottled water throughout the tour, Guided and narrated tour from a professional guide/driver, Photo stop at the south rim for approximately 3 hours

Click To Book Your Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Ground Tour Now!

Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

Latest Las Vegas Concerts Added This Week!

There is no better place to see your favorite acts then in Las Vegas! You’re relaxed, can enjoy a fine meal, have some cocktails without the worry of driving, and no alarm is going to jar you awake all too early the next morning.

Top Tickets For All United States Events

Did you know that we not only sell premium concert and event tickets for Las Vegas, but also for the entire United States as well? If you can’t make it to Vegas, treat yourself to some great seats for something near you:

Most Popular Sports Tickets Most Popular Concert Tickets
NFL Tickets Beyonce Tickets
– Dallas Cowboys Tickets Bon Jovi Tickets
– San Francisco 49ers Tickets Cher Tickets
– Houston Texans Tickets Demi Lovato Tickets
– Denver Broncos Tickets Eagles Tickets
World Series Tickets Elton John Tickets
NHL Tickets George Strait
– Chicago Blackhawks Tickets Imagine Dragons Tickets
– Pittsburgh Penguins Tickets Jason Aldean Tickets
– Washington Capitals Tickets Jay Z Tickets
– Minnesota Wild Tickets John Mayer Tickets
NBA Tickets Justin Timberlake Tickets
– Los Angeles Lakers Tickets Pearl Jam Tickets
– Miami HEAT Tickets Phish Tickets
College Football Tickets Pink Tickets

Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – It bears repeating that October is far-and-away the best month of the year to visit Las Vegas. We’ve had flawless sunny days between 75-85 with absolutely amazing evenings. Not too hot, not too cold. No major conventions which pack the town and drive up room rates (and contribute to long lines).

For you football enthusiasts, the betting on both college and pro has been hot and heavy. Always keep in mind that you can absolutely place a bet on a game which takes place after you’ve left. Generally on the back of each betting ticket are instructions on how to mail the ticket in, and the casino will send you a check. (Always double-check at the ticket window when you bet as to what the procedure is).

How fun is it to be watching that Monday night game at your favorite watering hole back home while you show off the ticket and root for your team to beat the spread!

For those still somewhat confused about how betting on football and basketball works, don’t be intimidated. When you look at a match-up in a sportsbook, you’ll see something that looks like this:

No wonder people are intimidated! Let me simplify it. This match is between the Packers and Broncos. For you beginners, the ONLY number you need to worry about is that -3 next to Broncos. Ignore all of that other stuff. It is really, really simple: In this game (which was from 2007) if you bet on the Broncos, you have to DEDUCT 3 points from the Bronco score at the end of the game. If you bet on the Packers, you get to ADD 3 points to your score at the end of the game.

If the Broncos won 23-21, you Bronco bettors would have to DECUCT 3 from the 23. You now only have 20 points. Ooops. Packers have 21 and your ticket loses. You Packer bettors would get to ADD 3 points to the 21, giving you 24 points. Which beats the Broncos 23. Your ticket wins. Essentially, for betting purposes, the Packers start the game with a 3 point “point spread” lead.

Why do the sports books do this? It evens up the game and gives each side a pretty equal chance of winning. If you bet a lousy team, you are going to get bonus points. If you bet a really good team, you are going to have to “lay” points, meaning you have to give up points. Hope this helps just a little bit.

White Cross Market Las VegasGroceries, Anyone? – For those of you who drive in, rent a car, or use The Deuce to travel between The Strip and Downtown, White Cross Market has just re-opened as a full-service grocery store just a couple of blocks north of the Stratosphere next to Burger King (and just a few minutes south of downtown).

You can get all your normal grocery store staples plus fresh produce, deli sandwiches and more. They have an absolutely amazing selection of craft beers (easily well over 100 on hand, all cold) and they know their beer. They also have a full liquor and wine selection. They also have nice, fresh produce for those who want some healthy stuff to munch on during their stay. Plus, they are just super-friendly people. Check them out.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts and Headliners: Amy Rayner-Cooley

What We’re Watching – Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

  • Metro Police Unveils Network Of Cameras Watching The Strip – Las Vegas casinos have used surveillance cameras for years to watch for cheaters, but now those so-called eyes in the sky aren’t just in casinos. Metro Police are policing the Las Vegas Strip using 37 high-tech cameras. If someone was running from the law on Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue, a camera up on a pole could zoom in on the suspect live.

  • “Last Vegas” The Movie – Hitting theaters on November 1, this is the preview trailer for the lastest “shot in Vegas” movie, “Last Vegas,” featuring an all-star cast of Hollywood legends.

  • Dean Martin Celebrity Roast Of Dean Martin 1976 – Live from the old MGM Grand (now Bally’s), this star-studded roast includes Muhammad Ali, Foster Brooks, Red Buttons, Ruth Buzzi, Charlie Callas, Billy ‘Boom Boom’ Berkowitz, Wilt Chamberlain, Howard Cosell, Billy Crystal, Georgia Engel, Rocky Graziano, Sherman Hemsley, Gabe Kaplan, Gene Kelly, Dean Martin, Herbert Muhammad, Tony Orlando, Floyd Patterson, Freddie Prinze, Nipsey Russell, Isabel Sanford, and Orson Welles. Enjoy a taste of classic Vegas entertainment from days gone by!

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I keep hearing about First Friday downtown. We will be staying at El Cortez on Friday November 1. Could you advise what to expect.

Thank You.

Frank Venis

 

Ted Responds:

First Friday is something we haven’t really taken the manpower to cover because as a more local-oriented event, we are getting more requests for information. It is a very popular festival of arts, music, and food taking place on the First Friday of each month.

First Friday takes place about a mile away from the El Cortez down in the Arts District. Free shuttle service runs from the El Cortez to the event from 4:30 PM to 11:30 PM from their valet area.

The party then moves to East Fremont (aka, the El Cortez area) and please note that because of the crowds, it is the one time of month that police are pretty strict about drinking in that area (which is not inside the Fremont Street Experience and thus subject to tighter city drinking regulations).

Except for liquor purchased inside the El Cortez, you are not supposed to be drinking on the street in that area (no liquor taken out of the other area bars nor none you purchased at a convenience store). You should be in the hotel or in a bar for boozing. Solutions are being tossed around because it is our Nevada-given right to drink anywhere we damn well please. But that is the most current info.

Also, they have actually been closing off Fremont in the El Cortez area for crowd control on First Fridays well into the late night.

Honestly, your best bet is to take the shuttle to enjoy First Friday, then come back and make your way over into the Fremont Street Experience (which is probably why you came downtown in the first place). You can walk around Fremont Street with a drink you purchased at any of the casinos, no problem and generally stay away from the East Fremont chaos on that particular night.

Hint: Going between El Cortez and Fremont Street on First Fridays, take a detour. Go out the north entrance of the El Co onto Ogden Street. From there, make your way west about three blocks to where the new Downtown Grand is. From there, head back over to the Fremont Street Experience. Reverse the route when time to get back to your room.

More details on First Friday at their official site: http://www.firstfridaylasvegas.com

Make sure to let us know how your experience went!

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

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

Access Vegas Insider Vibe October 9, 2013

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

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

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows

Halloween Las Vegas 2013

Rockhouse Las Vegas Gets Trick-Or-Trashed With Halloween Specials – Ghoulish guests will enjoy spooky Halloween specials all day at Rockhouse, located at Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian | The Palazzo, on Thursday, Oct. 31.

The ultra-dive bar will partake in some hocus pocus with Pinnacle Vodka cocktails and Jack-o’-lantern shots, a mix of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, priced at $5 each. Partygoers who don disguises will have the chance to win up to $2,000 in cash and prizes during the Strip-side hot spot’s late night costume contest.

Halloween Flies In To Jean Philippe PÔtisserie At Bellagio – Halloween has officially flown in on its broomstick and landed at Bellagio Resort & Casino where Jean Philippe PÔtisserie has transformed into a haunting shop filled with festive chocolate creations. The holiday display’s focal point features a life-size witch sculpture that took approximately six weeks to design and build. Five pastry team members collaborated to create the intricate flying design with 250 pounds of chocolate and rolling fondant, an icing-like decorative ingredient.

Las Vegas Shows, Headliners, And Concerts

Downtown Las Vegas

Las Vegas Fights Breast Cancer

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Joins The Fight During Breast Cancer Awareness Month With Exclusive Specials – This October, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas invites locals and visitors to give back with exclusive specials at select restaurants, retail stores and its luxury spa during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Proceeds benefit Young Survival Coalition (YSC), the premier global organization dedicated to young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Fuel CafÚ Express joins the cause by allowing guests to delve into the perfect on-the-go sweets with its Save 2nd Base or Support Pink cookie pops ($2.75 each), donating $1 from each specialty dessert.

Cabo Wabo Cantina Will Benefit Susan G. Komen For The Cure In October – Cabo Wabo Cantina located inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino will offer pink wristbands and cocktails throughout October in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, donating a portion of proceeds to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Las Vegas Gambling And Gaming

Drinking And Dining In Las Vegas

Luckyrice Festival Returned To The Cosmopolitan – The New York-based LUCKYRICE Festival returned to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas this past weekend (Oct. 4-6) with a lively and extensive culinary celebration. The three-day festival allowed attendees to revel in the invigorating flavors of various Asian countries. Celebrity guest chefs from across the globe introduced their specialty dishes and interacted with guests at different events throughout the weekend. Photo credit: ® Erik Kabik/ Retna/ erikkabik.com

Las Vegas Economy And Real Estate

Planes And Helicopters

More Las Vegas News

Richard Petty Ride-Along Driving TourRichard Petty Ride-Along Driving Tour – Rather let someone else do the fast driving around the speedway? That’s no problem! With a Richard Petty Driving Las Vegas Ride-Along Experience you will receive a unique and one-of-a-kind excursion. Your adrenaline pumping thrill of a lifetime awaits! With a Ride-Along tour you will experience a real life thrill riding shotgun in a two-seat stock car driven by a professional instructor for a 3-lap NASCAR qualifying run at speeds exceeding 160MPH. Highlights: 3 laps around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a NASCAR style racecar driven by a professional instructor; Speeds exceeding 160MPH; Track and facility overview of the largest sporting venue on the West Coast; Safety gear including regulation helmet and neck guard included; You’ll also get a photo session outside of your race car before taking off on the track.

Click To Book Your Richard Petty Ride-Along Driving Tour Now!

Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

Latest Las Vegas Concerts Added This Week!

There is no better place to see your favorite acts then in Las Vegas! You’re relaxed, can enjoy a fine meal, have some cocktails without the worry of driving, and no alarm is going to jar you awake all too early the next morning.

Top Tickets For All United States Events

Did you know that we not only sell premium concert and event tickets for Las Vegas, but also for the entire United States as well? If you can’t make it to Vegas, treat yourself to some great seats for something near you:

Most Popular Sports Tickets Most Popular Concert Tickets
NFL Tickets Beyonce Tickets
– Dallas Cowboys Tickets Bon Jovi Tickets
– San Francisco 49ers Tickets Cher Tickets
– New Orleans Saints Tickets Demi Lovato Tickets
– Denver Broncos Tickets Drake Tickets
Baseball Tickets Eagles Tickets
NHL Tickets Elton John Tickets
– Chicago Blackhawks Tickets Florida Georgia Line Tickets
– Pittsburgh Penguins Tickets George Strait
– Detroit Red Wings Tickets Jay Z Tickets
– Minnesota Wild Tickets John Mayer Tickets
NBA Tickets Justin Timberlake Tickets
– Los Angeles Lakers Tickets Michael Buble Tickets
– Miami HEAT Tickets Pearl Jam Tickets
College Football Tickets Pink Tickets

Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – Well, we warned our Accessvegas.com Twitter followers of the coming cold snap. We didn’t even hit 70F on Tuesday although we’re going to rebound this weekend and on into next week with seasonable temps in the 70’s. For us desert rats, we’re feeling the chill. For those preparing to fly in from the Pacific Northwest (my original stomping grounds) or Northeast, it will be an improvement.

Changing Of The Guard – While we’re sure this was not our doing, it is interesting that within days of my scathing rebuke of resort upper-management being out-of-touch with the wants and needs of guests — most recently in the “sports bar for women” concept that flopped at The Palms — that resort has a new CEO. Hopefully, he can get the property back to doing what made it a once great, must-see tourist draw.

No More, No Less – Visitorship is pretty much dead-even with last year. Which means with a little surge, we’ll top the 40 million visitor mark for the first time ever this year. Otherwise, we’ll simply fall just short like we did in 2013. Which brings me to…

Tale Of Two Cities – Outside of questions, we get basically two types of reader feedback here. (BTW, we appreciate it and read everything sent to AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com and even if we can’t respond, it does help shape the information we’re working hard to provide you here).

Most of you tell about their visit, what some of the highlights were, how much you enjoyed a particular show or tour and perhaps some of your memorable dining experiences. Even for those somewhat budgeting their vacation, you have a few “must splurge” items and you really enjoy yourself.

However, from time-to-time we get a note that essentially says “Vegas has gotten too expensive and forgotten about the middle class and things aren’t the way they were in the 70’s/80’s/90’s”.

I’d like to address that:

My memories do go back 20+ years here, and I relatively young and broke at the time. It was nice to be able to take $20 downtown and enjoy myself for 2-3 hours (or longer if luck was on my side). 75 cent drinks, Binion’s infamous $1.99 complete steak dinner (and the steak was decent), nickel video poker (real nickels), you name it.

In the late 90’s and on into the 2000, the Travel Channel was full of Vegas specials documenting everything from how lavish of an experience you could have to doing coupon runs where some time and effort could save you big or make you some money.

I get it. I lived it also.

Then, we had a few things converge:

1. The properties decided that pretty much giving away food was a loss-leader that might not be justifiable. The hope was that people would gamble to make up for it. But the reality is that slowly but surely, gaming revenue has become less and less of the overall revenue. If your strategy is to get people in the door with cheap food and fewer of those people gamble, all of a sudden that strategy makes less sense.

2. Inflation. Enough said. Look at what gas cost in years gone by. When I was young, I remember the horror of it hitting $1.00 a gallon! That $1.99 you so fondly remember late-night breakfast is in 1993 pricing.

3. Las Vegas still has tons of specials. We list the ones we come across on a regular basis. Why don’t we provide some master list? They are incredibly subject to change and even finding them would mean making a zillion phone calls each month to keep up. Hey, if one of you wants to volunteer to call every restaurant and bar in Las Vegas every month…

But as we suggested in Member’s Mania last week, keep your eyes peeled and more importantly, ASK. Don’t sit down at a bar without asking if they have any drink specials, both at the time you are there or at another time of the day. Walking by a restaurant that catches you eye? Ask if they have any specials happening. Ask if they have a happy hour.

As we noted, many of these restaurants are not owned by the casinos they are in. Hence, they don’t have to try to screw every cent out of you to pay off their debt load!

4. Finally, as much as people complain, no one seems to be able to tell me where vacationing is a better deal (short of putting up a tent in a national park, which you can’t do right now anyway do to our government shutdown). Have you priced hotels in San Francisco or Miami? Go look at what a Disneyworld vacation costs!

5. Airfare is a common complaint. Look, complain to the airlines or oil companies. (The reality is that the airlines often only make a few bucks per flight off of each passenger after their costs are figured in). Unless you are going to drive on your vacation — which is affected by the price of gas — it is going to cost to fly anywhere. That is simply the price of a vacation.

At the end of the day, if you choose to come mid-week and not when a big event or convention is in town, you can still get a room here for less than what a roadside Motel 6 is going to cost you somewhere. Which should leave you enough of a vacation budget to enjoy yourself.

In the meantime and despite a bad economy, we’re still nudging up against a record number of visitors. People are flocking to Caesars $50 buffet (the lines are crazy). People continue to go to our great shows and are willing to pay for the kind of top-notch entertainment that you won’t find anywhere else except many New York (where hotel prices are far higher). 

We’re gaining more and more international visitors who come over and really do Vegas all the way, seeing the Grand Canyon, taking in 2-3 shows, hitting some of the top restaurants.

So at the end of the day, I want to let you budget travelers know that we hear you and within our budget as a free publication, we do try to list various specials and deals. However, we absolutely do also want to cater to the visitor who — just like they did over the decades — wants to come to Las Vegas for some of the finest experiences of their life

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts and Headliners: Amy Rayner-Cooley

What We’re Watching – Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

  • Eiffel Tower Restaurant Inside Paris Las Vegas – Journey to the top of Las Vegas’ Eiffel Tower of Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino to enjoy the surroundings, sample the view, and hear from Executive Chef Jean Joho as he prepares one of their signature dishes.

  • Stratosphere Las Vegas Observation Deck – Views from the inside Observation deck of the Stratosphere Tower, the Air bar, claimed to be one of the highest bars in America. Overviews of the rides and a taste of the amazing views.

  • Downtown Fremont Street Experience Tour Plus Circus Circus – Internet sensations Nikki and John take you on their evening journey through most of The Fremont Street Experience, Downtown, and then onto Circus Circus. Missing Vegas? Here’s your fix.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

We were in your beautiful and exciting city in May, which is our usual time for our visit. Then, we took an extra visit on Sept 1’st until Sept. 6’th. My husband said I shouldn’t read your letter so much, then I wouldn’t want to go so often.

It was hot, but I love hot weather. We did the open double decker tour bus, we have did that a few times, the tour guides are great. This time we stopped at the Atomic Testing Museum. It was great and spent a little bit of time in the Area 51 exhibit.

I just love taking the Deuce, we did a complete round trip from the Golden Nugget to the opposite strip and back. We stopped at the Tropicana, it has been a few years since we have been there. What a Beautiful Place.

We decided to see the The Mob Attraction, it was good, but I prefer the Mob Museum downtown. I am a Righteous Brothers fan from way back, so we went to the South Point Hotel and saw Bill Medley and his daughter McKenna. It was a great show.

Just to get away, we took a drive to Laughlin, being that it was nice a warm, it was nice to walk along the water. I will be looking for your next letter, I can’t believe the information you pack in there.

Anne

 

Ted Responds;

Well, if we’re getting you to consider visiting more often, I guess we are doing it right! I do really enjoy hearing how people came and had such a good time. I’m a fun-loving person myself and with boundless activities and attractions, we’re happy to have something for everyone;

I’m with you on the September weather (which is almost identical to May weather). Hot days in the 90’s without becoming unbearable, then beautiful evenings and warm breezes into the late night.

We’ve noted this before, but it is worth repeating: The Deuce (our double-decker public bus system which runs the length of The Strip and to downtown) is an extra great ride if you get on way down by Tropicana or downtown so you have great odds of getting a front row (or nearly front row) seat on the upper level. You can watch the Strip glide by with a bird’s-eye view.

The Mob Experience at Tropicana is moving on (no new location announced yet so we’re not holding our breath). But as is a common theme, everybody LOVES the Mob Museum downtown. It is incredibly well done, and I’ve yet to talk to someone who didn’t have 2 hours (or more) just fly by while there were in there. With the old Lady Luck (now Downtown Grand) as the next door neighbor to the museum officially opening in a month, you have a couple of great reasons to make the downtown trek at some time during your trip.

While not our focus, we’re thinking about seeing if we can find a writer to do Laughlin for 2-3 days and give us a really complete report. For those that don’t mind the 90 minute drive, the ability to gamble while looking out at the mountains and beautiful Colorado River is unparalleled. And if luck isn’t treating you very well, you can stretch your legs with a river-front stroll!

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

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

Access Vegas Insider Vibe October 2, 2013

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

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

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Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows

Las Vegas Art And Attractions

Fall Into Autumn At Bellagio’s Conservatory And Botanical Gardens – With outdoor temperatures cooling off, foliage across the country taking on majestic tones and the holidays just around the corner, autumn is the favorite season of the year for many. BellagioÆs Conservatory & Botanical Gardens invites guests to experience the seasonÆs splendor with vibrant shades of fall, comforting aromas and angelic sounds from live musicians now through Nov. 29.

Fall flourishes throughout the Gardens with more than 8,500 chrysanthemums in 10 color variations bedded among ivy, birdÆs-nest fern, plum and magnolia trees. A symbol of the autumn harvest, the Conservatory boasts up to 2,500 pumpkins of all shapes and sizes with the largest weighing up to 1,200 pounds. Hand-sculpted maple, chestnut, birch and oak leaves along with oversized pinecones hang overhead.

Las Vegas Shows, Headliners, And Concerts

Dinner And Drinks

Rockhouse Las Vegas Introduces New Breakfast And Cocktail Menus – Guests can cheer for delicious new breakfast and cocktail selections available now at Rockhouse located at Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian | The Palazzo.

Early-risers can now nosh on mouthwatering breakfast items available every Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The morning menu includes the Breakfast Classic Scrambled Eggs, topped with cheddar cheese and paired with home-style potatoes and pico de gallo; the Chorizo and Egg breakfast tacos, covered with pepper jack cheese and pico de gallo, served on flour tortillas; and Three Mini Hot Dogs, made with scrambled eggs, Swiss cheese, bacon crumbles and chipotle oil.

Nobu At Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas Welcomes Chef Nobu Matsuhisa For A Night Of CanapÚs And Cocktails – Nobu at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas will host A Night of CanapÚs and Cocktails on Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 7 to 10 p.m. During the special event, Nobu Matsuhisa and 28 of his executive chefs from across the country will come together to present patrons with a once-in-a-lifetime culinary affair.

A Night of CanapÚs and Cocktails will kick off at the famed chefÆs premier Las Vegas location inside Hard Rock Hotel. For the first time, talent representing Chef NobuÆs original dining concept, Matsuhisa and chefs from Nobu locations including Malibu, San Diego, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, New York, Next Door, Fifty Seven, Lana’i, Waikiki, Caesars Palace Las Vegas and Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas will come together to showcase the finest of Nobu cuisine.

Sports And Gambling

Hard Rock Hotel Football Season Sizzling Game-Day Specials Throughout The Professional Football Season – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas invites pigskin enthusiasts to tackle the football season with game-day specials at The Ainsworth, Culinary Dropout and Pink Taco. The property is the go-to hot spot with appetizers and specialty cocktails designed to complement the season. Read the story for all specials.

Las Vegas Nightlife And Daylife

Las Vegas Economy And Real Estate

Downtown Las Vegas

Commonwealth In Downtown Las Vegas Launches Happy Hour Drink Specials – Partygoers can start a night of Fremont Street fun with Happy Hour specials now available at Commonwealth. Every Wednesday through Friday, the Downtown venue serves-up drink specials from 6 until 9 p.m.

The swanky cocktail bar now offers $3 domestic drafts, $3 well cocktails, $5 craft beer drafts, $5 Ketel One vodka cocktails and Crown Royal Whisky cocktails, priced at $5. Guests can sip on refreshing cocktails while mingling in the hot spotÆs pre-Prohibition era inspired bar and breathtaking rooftop.

More Las Vegas News

The Eagle Airplane TourThe Eagle Airplane Tour û Soar into the sky aboard a Cessna Grand Caravan for the ideal Grand Canyon airplane tour. The Cessna offers large windows and individual leather seating to create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy spectacular views. Flying in the Cessna you will enjoy aerial highlights including Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Fortification Hill, Temple Rock, historic Boulder City and the Colorado River in transit to the Grand Canyon. Experience views of the Grand Canyon from a unique perspective capturing the depth and magnitude of this national treasure.

Click To Book Your Eagle Airplane Tour Now!

Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – October is already here, and generally is the very nicest month of the year in the our Las Vegas. Never too hot, never too cold, plenty of sunshine, very little wind, and it just so happens to be my birthday month to boot. (Not that I look forward to them as much as I once did). If you have a trip planned for the next few weeks, lucky you!

Smile For The Camera – Our Metro police department has recently installed 37 high-tech cameras up and down The Strip. Surveillance will be used to look for any potential problems, or be used to go back to in helping solve crimes. Footage will be kept for 14 days. While a few are worried about invasion of privacy, the reality is that in a public area all bets are off. You’ve probably been captured completely by accident in quite few photos and videos just taken by visitors on a previous visit.

Bruno Mars Residency – Hot on the heels of the big Britney Spears announcement, pop superstar Bruno Mars is taking up a residency show at the Cosmopolitan. Although not quite as ambitious as Britney’s two-year run, it is part of a trend to see if acts appealing to a younger demographic can have the draw like Elton, Celine, and similar have had in Las Vegas over the years. Tickets for the New Years shows are now available and we’ll let you know when the next set of shows are planned:

Correction? – We recently noted that many sources were claiming poor sales of Britney Spears tickets for her two year engagement. Caesars Entertainment and Britney Spears’ manager have both noted that tickets for her upcoming run are better-than-expected. Time will tell!

Screwing Up A Good Thing – I’m thinking of starting a regular feature called “Management Mishaps” or similar. Over the years, I’ve rolled my eyes countless times at decisions hotel casino upper management make that seem to show how completely out-of-touch they are with the rank-and-file patron.

The most recent “oops” was Heraea at The Palms. For years and years, The Palms had a very popular Mexican restaurant called Gardunos. Everyone love it. By all accounts, it did well. Obviously, we can’t have any of that going on! So, someone came up with the bright idea to gut the space and put in a female-friendly sports bar called Heraea which morphed into a lounge/nightclub space later in the evening. Huh?

This was wrong on so many levels:

  • While more and more women are watching (and betting on) football, sports viewing still skews heavily male.
  • Straight men are not particularly fond of more feminine spaces. In fact, the entire “man cave” phenomenon has sprung up as everything around us has become more feminized. (The notion being that women tend to make the purchasing decisions and thus need to be properly targeted). Men want to watch sports in a manly setting and by golly, if the little ladies want to watch it to, they can deal with a manly setting. Like in most sports bars.
  • Pursuant to the above, your average guy who wants to watch football in Las Vegas is more towards middle-age, has a few extra pounds, and is probably wearing a sports jersey. This isn’t exactly the kind of person who will stick around as a “sports bar” turns into a nightlife setting. And the younger guys? They are going to go hit a real club.

Heraea lasted only 7 months and in fact closed just a month into football season. No word on the fate of the brain trust that put this one together.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts and Headliners: Amy Rayner-Cooley

What We’re Watching – Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

  • Vegas Video Networks’s Living in Las Vegas #200: To Catch a Thief – Join Scott and Melissa Whitney on Living In Las Vegas on the Vegas Video Network as they talk about their recent adventures with Aria Buffet, Ellis Island, Absinthe, Boat rentals on Lake Mead, $20 Trick a success, and MGM Grand staycation.
  • Finding Nevada – Nevada Heartland Trip – While many visitors only think of Las Vegas when they hear “Nevada”, our area is full of stunningly scenic desert. Enjoy this short video with highlights from Matt Hufman and Mike Smith of the Las Vegas Sun during their first tour of the Finding Nevada project. Highlights include Valley Of Fire, The Road to St. Thomas, Hot Creek Valley, and Morey Canyon

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

So, I’m turning 40 Nov 20 and am coming to Vegas for the 1st time. I can’t wait and am making plans that I have been reviewing for months, & am hoping you can assist with some things I wish to complete!

First, I want champagne experience on a beer budget!

I need a great hair salon. Not that I’m High Maintenance, but nobody has cut my hair except mom since 1983. She passed in 2011, So I’m kinda timid, & also want to donate my Hair to a charity that makes wigs for people who need them. So a great stylist would be awesome!

We (my significant other and I) aren’t big gamblers and really want to see the city and historical places.

Any suggestions, contacts or thoughts (& just your time to read this) are appreciated!

Living Thankfully,

Heather from Detroit

 

Ted Responds:

Your first trip… wow! Just don’t be too overwhelmed once you get here, and realize from day one that it would take 30 days to do and see everything. Hence, try to get to what you really want to do, allow plenty of time to just go with the flow (casinos don’t have clocks), and realize that you’ll be back plenty of times to have new experiences.

Also, don’t worry. 40 isn’t the end of the world. I celebrated my 40’th in Las Vegas also (duh) and that was nearly 8 years ago. The average visitor is 49 but we get visitors from kids to seasoned seniors!

For a champagne experience on a beer budget, make sure you’ve been keeping an eye on the various food and drink specials we list in most every issue of this newsletter. Call ahead to make sure they are still valid. If there is a restaurant that catches your eye, walk up and ask if they have any current specials or any prix fixe dinners.

Also, MANY restaurants in the hotels have some kind of happy hour. Not all, but many. (We’d list them all, but they are subject to change and keeping up would be next-to-impossible). If you are thinking of dinner around 5-6 PM, start hitting a few of them and ask them if they have a happy hour and what is offered.

You may find that a very nice restaurant is doing some great 1/2 price appetizers and drinks (or similar). If you are willing to sit at the bar, you can order 2-3 appetizers (for a couple of people) and each have a drink and experience a very nice environment without busting your budget.

Champagne experience on the beer budget!

Also, a great rule of thumb that we learned from our friends at Pub Crawl áis when you go to a restaurant or bar here — like if you absolutely want to do Margaritaville or Cabo Wabo or Mesa or Spago — do not be afraid to ask your server or bartender if there are any food or drink specials going on. They don’t always advertise them with flashing lights!

As you are finding out, it never hurts to ask. What do you care? You are on vacation!

And for cheap-to-reasonably priced drinks 24/7, Casino Royale is right in the center of The Strip.

If you are OK splurging on the salon, you can’t go wrong with Color at Caesars. It is a Michael Boychuck salon and counts entertainers and movers and shakers as clientele. Boychuck came to fame as a colorist for celebrities back in the day, including doing Paris Hilton’s hair pretty much forever.

You can call them at (866) 730-7791 for details on pricing, services, and an appointment. In fact, if you are shedding long locks for a good cause, here’s what I would do: Call them ahead of time, tell them that you are coming in for your 40’th birthday, and tell them your story and intentions. One never knows as they may do something to make it a special experience. Honestly, sounds like a good PR story to me.

Gambling is no longer the top reason that everybody comes to town. You’ll want to try your luck, but there is so much to do and see and enjoy. So, don’t worry about that. Besides, if you really want to gamble, you can do that where you (in particular) live now.

Since you are interested in the historical:

1. Go downtown for an evening (preferably not a weekend evening when it is really crowded). Walk the entire Fremont Street Experience and keep walking a couple of extra blocks to the El Cortez, a great working hotel casino on the national registration of historic places. This whole area was the “original” Las Vegas before The Strip existed.

2. Go enjoy the mob museum, but give yourself a couple of hours if you really want to absorb it. Three floors of very interactive exhibits. If you do, go downtown mid-afternoon to do it. Then eat dinner downtown and enjoy Fremont Street.

3. Take a morning and take a tour to Hoover Dam. You can find them on our tours page: http://www.accessvegas.com/tours Look for Hoover Dam and the Dam Bridge under Ground Tours.

Hoover Dam by rarvesen, on Flickr
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Licenseáábyáárarvesená

Nothing much happens mornings here anyway (unless you want to gamble your brains out or sleep off a hangover). Hoover Dam is spectacular. Pictures simply don’t even come close to doing it justice. And, it is incredibly historic. The tour takes you through the 1930’s architecture and the photo opportunities (both of the dam and surrounding areas) are limitless.

While at this time we’re unfortunately able to offer this much in-depth help to each and ever reader at this time (we will for paid subscribers down the road), we’re always excited to hear someone planning their very first trip!

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

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.
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