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Access Vegas Insider Vibe – April 8, 2009

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AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

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

Hello From Las Vegas! 16 years, baby. 16 years. April 2009 is marking my 16’th year here in Las Vegas. I moved from the beautiful (but all too often overcast and rainy) Pacific Northwest near Portland, Oregon and never returned. I’ve been publishing this newsletter for nearly 10 of those years. Next year marks the 10 year anniversary of thisá AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe (which started as Las Vegas News and Reviews).

Far too many memories to list on one page, but rarely a dull moment. I was the last civilian (non-hotel or demolition employee) to step foot in the infamous Copa Room at The Sands. More recently, in line behind Andrew “Dice” Clay at a local convenience store (very surreal). In-between, things like heckling Carrot Top from the first row (he actually puts on a really good show) to a pre-opening visit to the top of The Stratosphere Tower thanks to a cocktail waitress friend who was a charter employee.

I’ve stumbled upon countless movie, TV, music video and commercial shoots (hint, they happen late at night), and seen more live radio and TV broadcasts produced than I can count. One of the more interesting: Don Imus doing his nationwide show from The Mirage in the mid-90’s, interviewing Steve Wynn at 4 AM (7 AM east coast time) in front of a crowd of bleary-eyed ápeople who had been up all night and were still boozing. Plus, more “What Happens In Vegas” moments than I can count. (Once again, best time for these sightings is well after midnight).

Here’s to the future and my continued quest to make you, our loyal readers, the best-informed Las Vegas visitors possible!

Dixie’s Dam Bar At Hooters Las Vegas – Over the past few years, a theme has developed in the massive amount of feedback we get from you, our readers. That theme? What happened to the old Las Vegas? I don’t want to go to a club with a dress code I’ll never meet and then have to pay $400 for “bottle service” just so I can have a table.

Dixie’s Dam Bar at Hooters is open Wed. – Sun. starting at 9 PM with no bottle service, no attitudes, and the Dixie’s Diva’s to pour you the drinks when they aren’t dancing on the bar. Cover is $20, a small price to pay for a night of unrestrained, unpretentious fun.

Dixie's Dam Bar at Hooters Hotel Las Vegas

Dixie's Dam Bar at Hooters Hotel Las Vegas

Dixie's Dam Bar at Hooters Hotel Las Vegas

Click on any of the above photos to view the entire Dixie’s Dam Bar at Hooters Las Vegas photo set.

Smoke ‘Em If You Got Em – The Nevada State Legislature is currently in the process of taking the teeth out of much of Nevada’s smoking ban. Specifically allowing smoking (should a business owner choose to do so) anywhere minors are prohibited.

This would allow both local bars and hotel casinos to allow smoking in areas where they have food service (at their discretion). IE, if a hotel restaurant saw fit to allow smoking at a restaurant baráand were willing to enclose it — probably with glass — to separate it from a main dining area where minors would be allowed, they would be able to do so.

If you wish to write our legislators (on either side of this issue), the following two gentlemen represent the area of the Las Vegas Strip:

Keep it brief and polite, represent yourself as a regular Las Vegas visitor, and let them know your feelings regarding loosening the smoking ban.

End Of An Era – Folies Bergere bowed out after 49 years of being a Las Vegas staple. Our local paper did a great photo feature of closing night: http://www.reviewjournal.com/media/slideshow/folies_finale_032809/

Earth Hour – Some of you may have read how most of the hotels along the Las Vegas Strip turned off their outside lighting for an hour in honor of Earth Hour a couple of weeks go. We didn’t cover it, nor will we if they do it again.

Over the years, the lights have been dimmed (usually for about 15 minutes) to honor the death of people ranging fromáU.S. Presidents to members of the Rat Pack. The lights were dimmed after 9/11 in honor of the victims as well. I believe this exercise should ONLY be reserved only as a special honor in similar situations.

I’m also concerned that between smoking bans and Earth Hour celebrations, Las Vegas is gaining a reputation for political correctness. Which is NOT why people come and visit.

Even if you recycle, carpool, watch your use of natural resources, drive an efficient car and other “earth friendly” activities, Las Vegas allows you to spend a few days tossing caution to the wind. At time to cut loose. Eat and drink a little too much. Use some electricity (or watch the hotels use it) purely for your enjoyment. Trust me… the earth will survive your visit to Las Vegas.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

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

Bally’s from $49, El Cortez from $25, Fitzgeralds from $34, Hooters from $25, Orleans from $35, Riviera from $56, Sahara from $28, Stratosphere from $40, Tropicana from $40, Tuscany from $39, More Savings At All Vegas Hotels!

Legendary Guitarist Carlos Santana Launches First Rock Residency Show In Las Vegas At The Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Signing on as the first rock and roll resident artist in Las Vegas, Carlos Santana brings his legendary talent to The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino through a multi-year deal with AEG Live. Through 2010, The Joint will be the only place west of the Mississippi where fans can see Santana perform. Titled to pay homage to his most successful body of work to date, Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits debuts on Wednesday May 27 and features the artist’s signature fusion sound in a show designed exclusively for the new venue.

Vegas’ Sexiest Show Begins Preview Performances Peepshow Starring Mel B. Costarring Kelly Monaco – PEEPSHOW, the new, sophisticated, ultra-hot show begins preview performances this week at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Pop superstar Mel B (of the world famous Spice Girls) stars with General Hospital’s Kelly Monaco (“Dancing with the Stars” champion) and The Strip’s hottest dancers in this spectacular world premiere. In PEEPSHOW, Mel B. will originate the role of the mistress of ceremonies, the “Peep Diva.” Kelly Monaco will take the stage as “Bo Peep,” a timid girl who the Diva guides in her transformation into a confident, sensual woman. Alongside Mel B. & Kelly is a sizzling ensemble of sexy PEEPSHOW GIRLS, showstoppers from film, TV, Broadway and beyond who were handpicked to complete a highly-skilled, voluptuous cast unlike any other on The Strip.

Jimmy Buffett And The Coral Reefer Band Summerzcool Tour 2009 – Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band return to Las Vegas for one remarkable performance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, May 16 as part of Jimmy Buffett’s “Summerzcool” Tour 2009. Tickets go on-sale Monday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. Parrotheads won’t want to miss their chance to soak in the full Margaritaville experience.

Keith Urban To Bring His “Escape Together World Tour” To Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, July 18 – As if a night with Grammy Award-winner Keith Urban isn’t enough, now comes word that Urban’s “Escape Together World Tour” will feature the legendary Glen Campbell. Urban, one of the industry’s most explosive and critically hailed live acts, and Campbell will perform at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, July 18.

Metallica To Bring “World Magnetic Tour” To Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, December 5 – Following a triumphant summer European tour, Metallica will return to rock North America this fall for the second leg of its “World Magnetic Tour.” The multi-platinum hard-rock band will perform later this year throughout the United States and Canada and will include a stop at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, Dec. 5.

Paul Anka Returns To The Orleans Showroom May 8-10 – With more than 125 albums, 15 million records sold and 22 Top 20 hits, Paul Anka has been one of the most influential voices in pop music since emerging as a teen idol in the 1950s. On May 8, 9 and 10, Anka will be bringing his incomparable sound to The Orleans Showroom for a three-night engagement.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Love your newsletter. I had a question. Have you seen the table game limits coming down in this economy? I’ve been visiting Vegas for 20 years now. One of the things I used to love was the ability to walk up and down the strip and stop in at a variety of difference casinos and find $5 craps and blackjack tables.

In the past 5 years or so I noticed all the minimums are $10 and your hard press to find $5 tables. I feel am an average gambler and would think I’m not the only one who would like to see the limits back down around $5.

Keep up the good work,

Randy

Ted Responds:

We had a Members Mania letter about this a few months ago. Certainly a topic that people continue to wonder about.

We have heard word of table minimums coming down on The Strip here and there but no major trend we can see as of yet.

We encourage people to gamble downtown where the minimums are still lower and rules still tend to be more favorable to the player.

It is interesting that gaming wins (what the casinos win in total) here in Nevada are plummeting. Execs are blaming it on the economy. But perhaps they are simply making games too expensive or unfavorable for the millions like yourself who will gladly risk your money for hours on end. IF you can do so at reasonable minimums.

Thanks for reading and telling your friends to subscribe. We are a small company that relies on word-of-mouth!

What is the appropriate amount to tip for valet? Does it depend on the hotel? Should you tip when you drop off the car, or pick it up, or both?

Thanks,

Maureen

Ted Responds:

One dollar when you drop it off is a nice token and two when you pick it up is satisfactory. I’d (more or less) double that at the high end hotels and/or if it is really, really busy. Also, the amount of time they take to retrieve your car should come into play. A little more if they are quick, less if it takes forever.

If you drive up to a hotel you aren’t staying at and they have a sign indicating valet for hotel guests only (or Valet Full), you’ll find out that a $10 bill will usually magically make the valet a little less full. IE, they will take your car.

Me? I usually skip the valet and do a little-known parking garage trick: Simply drive to one of the top floors of the parking garage where you’ll usually find plenty of parking within a few feet of the elevator. Sure, you spend an extra 30 seconds driving up a couple extra floors. But you’ll more than make up for the time by not circling a lower level floor looking for a space or having to park a long walk from the elevator. Plus, the view from the top floors of some of the parking garages are pretty cool!

My extra-top-secret Las Vegas Strip parking tip which I noted here a few years ago? The Casino Royale (just north of Harrah’s) has a four floor public parking garage right behind their little casino. The garage is open to the public and literally a 30 second walk from the Las Vegas Strip sidewalk.

Hope this all helps!

Hi! I read your newsletter all the time. We just LOVE Vegas and love to get all the news when we can’t be there in person. We will be coming for a visit next month and have heard recently that the casinos have stopped serving free alcoholic beverages while you’re playing. Just wondering if this is true?

Thanks,

Kristy

Ted Responds:

A few hotels have toyed with not serving video poker players free drinks at the bar unless someone is playing $1 level or more. Also, if you are playing penny slots and literally playing only a few pennies at a time, you might not get served.

Overall, casinos are continuing to serve free drinks to players.

If you ever get refused a free drink while gambling a “normal” amount of money (IE, not trying to scam a drink while only betting one nickel at a time or playing video poker one quarter at a time), cash out and move to another casino.

LOVE you guys. Having a family reunion next weekend in Las Vegas and forwarded your newsletter to everyone who’s going.

Absolutely the best source of Las Vegas information out there!

Keep on keepin’ on!

Johanna Greenfield

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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:

  • Easter Sunday April 12
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 10
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 23-25 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 21
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 1-3 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S September 5-7 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada September 5-7 (3 day weekend)
  • Jewish New Year September 19
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day, U.S November 26-29 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 2 – Dec. 9
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 2 (3 day weekend)
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 18-20 (3 day weekend)
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 13-15 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year February 14
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • Mardi Gras February 16
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17

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All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

April 8, 2009 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy