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Access Vegas Insider Vibe – June 24, 2009

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AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

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

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AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Weird week as we say goodbye to three entertainment icons: Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Ed McMahon. Plus, it was overcast with light rain here for a couple of days. Just a weird week. This newsletter is going to be all over the map. If a section doesn’t interest you, just keep scrolling! On to some fun and winning…

Enter To Win Tickets For
Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular

Grand Prize Winner Will Also Enjoy Dinner at the Fabulous New FIRST Food & Bar at Palazzo Las Vegas

Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular Entry

More Than Just Dinner and a Show…

Grand Prize: You and a guest will enjoy dinner at the brand new FIRST Food & Bar restaurant inside The Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Following this unique dinner, you’ll move over to Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular’s custom theatre to be seduced by this exhilarating “Only In Vegas” rendition of this world famous, award winning show.

Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular Entry Page

4’th Of July – We’ve continued to add quite a bit of information to our Fourth of July 2009 Las Vegas page. If you are going to be here this coming weekend (or even thinking about it), make sure you find out what is going on. It is going to be one huge weekend in Las Vegas!

New York, New York Roller Coaster – Certainly one of the wilder rides in Las Vegas, but not cheap at $14 for the first ride and $7 for each re-ride. (Co’mon guys… Every time we drive by, it is running nearly empty. Could it be the price)? However… for those who are true thrill seekers, they do offer a $25 all-day Scream Pass.

I haven’t done the NY, NY ride but a few years ago bought an “all you can ride” pass for the rides atop Stratosphere Tower (currently running $33 for Tower admission and all the rides you can handle) and went on the Big Shot ten straight times. (That is the ride which shoots you straight up off the top of the tower). Once you get used to both the height and the weightlessness, the view is unmatched!

Play The Machines Loaded – Very recently, I stopped to toss a few bucks into a Megabucks slot machine (our version of the lottery). The last person to play it before me had only bet two coins instead of the maximum three one can bet on this machine. Like just about every other “progressive jackpot” machine (where there is a huge top prize), you must play Megabucks “loaded” (full coins in) to hit the top prize.

If you line up the winning symbols but are playing for a smaller bet than the maximum, you won’t get the top prize. Even if you line up the highest winning symbols! If a certain progressive jackpot machine beckons you but is a little bit out of your financial league, do one of two things: 1. Plan of playing fewer hands or 2. Find a machine that is in your price range. Never, ever “try your luck” with less than the maximum bet allowed on a progressive.

New Las Vegas Deals TV Show – Our friend Alan Mendelson (long time Southern California newscaster) is bringing a new type of TV infomercial program is coming to Las Vegas TV called Vegas Best Buys. Unlike traditional TV infomercials that have advertising from one company, Vegas Best Buys will feature “mini infomercials” from ten to twelve advertisers with each advertiser getting a segment of several minutes on the program.

Alan has been producing the “Best Buys TV Show” in Los Angeles. The shows — both the Los Angeles and the Las Vegas versions — follow a “news format” that Mendelson developed while doing bargain shopping news reports for the CBS TV stations in Los Angeles. Interested businesses should contact him through his web site www.AlanBestBuys.com. Alan has told us that there will be no charge to the businesses that are picked to participate in the pilot. So pass this along to any local business owners you know.

Airfare Hitting Bottom – A very recent Associated Press story noted that airfare prices are at the bottom. The price of oil is starting to rise and people who cut back spending during the recession (but never lost their jobs) are starting to loosen up their spending a bit. They suggest that if thinking about a trip, book your airfare now.

If coming to Vegas, don’t forget to compare hotel prices with our friends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals. How do they keep their prices so low? They buy rooms in bulk, at wholesale prices from the hotels (who are willing to do so because it guarantees that the rooms are sold). They then pass the savings along to you.

Lowest Graduation Rate – Nevada has the lowest high school graduation rate in the country, with less than 50% of students grabbing that diploma. In the past, this was attributed to the ease of getting a good paying job in hospitality or construction (or on a stripper pole) without an education. Given the 11% unemployment rate and the end of the “gravy train” of high paying, low skill jobs because of the economy, let’s hope we see that number start creeping up a bit.

Summer Of ’69 Contest – If you missed our last issue (or just forgot to enter), you only have a few more days to take a shot at our Summer Of ’69 giveaway of lots of cool and unique Vegas stuff. Details are in the archives of our June 17, 2009 Access Vegas Insider Vibe.

More Members Mania – I’ve had to skip doing our very popular Members Mania section of the newsletter (scroll down about 2/3 of the way) a couple times in the past two months. So… we did a double-dose for you this week.

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 $23, Fitzgeralds from $23, Hooters from $20, Orleans from $28, Riviera from $27, Sahara from $23, Stratosphere from $25, Tropicana from $28, Tuscany from $31, More Savings At All Vegas Hotels!

Las Vegas Show Reviews

Barbra & Frank, The Concert That Never Wasà

barbra streisand frank sinatra las vegas

“Barbra & Frank, The Concert That Never Wasà” at the Riviera Hotel & Casino is pure Vegas entertainment. Imagine if you will, an evening with two of the greatest musical icons of the 20th Century û Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra, together on the same stage. It never happened. It never could have happened. But Sharon Owens and Sebastian Anzaldo will make you feel as if it did, with you right there in the audience. Frankie starts the night off with the classic “I’ve Got A Crush On You.”

Anzaldo is dapper and debonair as Sinatra and quickly pulls you into the illusion. He’s got Frankie down. The voice and the physicality is unmistakably Sinatra. Owens’ Streisand has all the mannerisms of the real Streisand û the long nails, the hair. But it’s when she opens her mouth that she becomes Barbra. Her nasally speaking voice is true to character. She delivers the songs like a pro.

Penn & TellerÆs Magic Keeps Las Vegas Mesmerized

penn teller las vegas

In terms of upholding their reputations, the two do not disappoint here at The Rio. Employing a variety of standard magic bits from a simple Cups & Balls illusion to the more dramatic Sawing a Lady in Halves, Penn & Teller manage to inject their unique take and unexpected punchline every time. Other parts of the act incorporate totally unusual devices, such as an Airport Metal Detector. And PennÆs romantic fire-eating interlude is in a category all its own, as is his nail-biting nail gun routine. Teller, despite his trademark staunch silence, shines every bit as brightly in many acts highlighting his deft sleight of hand skills.

“Sgt. Pepper Live” Featuring Cheap Trick Exclusive Las Vegas Hilton Engagement – “Sgt. Pepper Live,” featuring Cheap Trick, will be presented at the Las Vegas Hilton September 13-15, 17-19 and 21-23. The performances, with special musical guests to be announced, will feature a full symphony orchestra, audio production by Geoff Emerick and set design by Rene Lagler. “One of America’s greatest bands ever, doing their live interpretation of this classic rock album, an album nobody believed could be performed outside the recording studio, sets a new standard for rock and entertainment in Las Vegas,” said Ken Ciancimino, executive vice president of the Las Vegas Hilton.

One Less Timeshare Company?

This past week, the company that probably was THE major timeshare company in Las Vegas (and one of the biggest in the U.S.) declared bankruptcy. These are my thoughts:

The economy has forced Consolidated Resorts into bankruptcy this past week. You might know then as the people behind Tahiti Village, the timeshare resort on the very, very, very south end of The Strip (2 miles south of Mandalay Bay). This may mean less people stopping you along The Strip at various hotels and asking you if you want free show tickets in return for listening to a timeshare pitch.

What remains to be seen will be the impact on the various shows which they promoted. They would actually buy the show tickets (presumably at some discount) then give them away. Various shows over the years continued to soldier on largely in part due to this guaranteed revenue.

Believe it or not, their preferred method of getting people to take timeshare tours was NOT stopping people on The Strip. It is costly to rent the space, put up the incentives, etc. Consolidated had an widespread radio campaign (featuring celebrities like Rosanne Barr and Tanya Roberts) and were in the process of developing a very aggressive internet presence in order to target regular Las Vegas visitors who would be interested in a dedicated place here.

How do I know all of this? We had discussions a few years ago regarding working with them on this effort, and again last fall a few more informal discussions regarding their internet marketing strategy.

The great thing about the internet is the ability to target those who might be interested in a product without the “in your face” presentation you (as a visitor) get from the sales people while you walk down The Strip. Final Note: At this time, Access Vegas own the undeveloped properties FreeStayVegas.com and FreeStayLasVegas.com. They are currently for sale or lease. Interested parties should email allvegastv@aol.com

Las Vegas Deals

These are only a few of the many Easy Vegas Deals we find each and every week (many of which happen too quickly for newsletter deadline). For a complete and constantly updated listing:

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I am bringing my grown up family to America in June/July – (3 nights San Francisco, 2 nights Lake Tahoe, 7 nights Las Vegas and 3 nights LA). The last time I visited Las Vegas for a few days was pre-Wynn hotels. Our week in Vegas commences 30’th June. Apart from the Grand Canyon, what are the top five places I should show them whilst there?

Graham

Ted Responds:

That sounds like quite the trip, and you are sure to enjoy yourself!

Las Vegas has so much to do and see, and everyone has different tastes. Hence, a “Top 5” would be impossible to come up with.

If you go to our newsletter archives site at https://las-vegas-news-reviews.com and scroll down the right sidebar, you will see links to years worth of archives. You may wish to scroll though them and see what catches your eye!

I have read that the M resort shuttle to and from Fashion Show Mall is only available to residents of the hotel, is this fact ? We would like to visit M on our next trip but the thought of return cab fares from Wynn would be prohibitive for a lunch outing at Studio B. (This may sound strange but I am happy to gamble say $500 on our visit there but reluctant to pay a return cab fare! More to play with I suppose).

Regards,

Annette & Bill from the UK

Ted Responds:

Nothing wrong with saving your money for playing the machines or taking in some great shows!

I personally called M not long ago was told that anyone can use their to come on down and visit the hotel. My advice? Call M when you are in town to double check. Tell them you are staying on The Strip and want to come down to eat and do a little playing. And, ask the M shuttle driver when you get in the shuttle to confirm.

P.S. Many don’t know this, but it is a proper courtesy to give a shuttle drive $1 per person tip upon exiting the shuttle.

I first visited Vegas in 1960, on my way to being sworn-in as a new Navy Medical Officer. Over the years, my wife and I have visited Vegas many times. Over the past 20+ years we’ve averaged visiting once a year (our most recent visit was in January) and what a change we’ve noted over the years.

I enjoy Blackjack but I couldn’t find a decent game anywhere on the Strip what with hardly a $10 minimum, 3:2 Blackjack payoffs, Dealer hitting Soft 17, No Late Surrenders, etc.. And, hardly anyone at the tables. Vegas is going down the tubes & it’s not just because of the economy. The MBA bean counters are ruining it for everyone. I think things were a lot better during the Bugsy Siegel era (from a gaming standpoint).

Ham

Ted Responds:

Thanks for reading and thanks for your input. Surrender (a blackjack rule that lets you save part of your bet) went away years ago. It made the game too advantageous for card counters. Having said that, downtown still has plenty of lower limit blackjack with a full 3:2 payoff for a blackjack.

We’ve been talking about downtown quite a bit the past few months because downtown is still very much run the old way. Smaller operators (or single casino owners), food deals, cheaper drinks, looser slots, and better table game rules.

You can win or lose anywhere on a given day, but we continue to encourage people who want to do some serious gambling without breaking the bank to plan a session or two downtown. Fremont Street downtown is no longer as far removed from The Strip as it once was. The Deuce bus runs every few minutes, 24/7 and you can hop off at The Sahara and catch the monorail to most parts of The Strip in a matter of minutes.

The only way the casinos on The Strip will get the message to bring back decent rules and lower limits is if more and more people take their gambling downtown.

I am planning a trip to Vegas sometime this year and I would like to bring my 17 year old niece with me. She has a great interest in singing and I would love to take her to see some of the shows. Are there any age restrictions for the shows? I know there are age restrictions for the casinos and of course, the X-rated shows, but, is there anything else I need to know?

Thanks for your help.

Heather Rhind

Ted Responds:

Except for any show that features some form of nudity (or some of the comedy shows because of content and/or a bar setting), shows generally don’t have age restrictions.

I say this generally, because some may not encourage (or actually have a ban on) young children.

However, a teenager won’t have any issues. Especially a 17 year old girl. You won’t see or hear anything at most Las Vegas shows that they already see or hear on MTV.

Thank you for your continued excellent newsletter. Being from the UK itÆs a great way to stay in touch with all the latest gossip from your wonderful city. We are planning a trip in the summer with our 3 kids and their partners, 2 of whom are vegetarian. Can you suggest the best places to go for good ‘veggie’ food at reasonable prices, credit crunch problems here in UK means we donÆt have as many US$ as we would like to spend!!

CanÆt wait to see Vegas again soon. Keep up the great work we really appreciate it!

Kind Regards,

Kim from Essex U.K.

Ted Responds:

As you can imagine, Las Vegas isn’t exactly a bastion of vegetarian dining. Your best bet for a variety of non-meat items would be the various hotel buffets. Buffet prices vary widely and you get what you pay for.

If renting a car, you’ll find major grocery stores just a couple minutes east of The Strip at Flamingo/Maryland Pkwy. (Albertson’s) and Tropicana/Maryland Pkwy. (Vons) where you will be able to find plenty of food that should suit your needs. Plus, you can buy a cheap, disposable cooler to keep in your room and keep it filled with ice from the hotel ice machine.

Any word on the Lady Luck Casino???

We visit Vegas about once a year and have stayed there a couple of times. We thought it was a lot of fun (we prefer the smaller casinos) and the food was great! Hope it returns.

Judy from Minnesota

Ted Responds:

Nothing will happen to it until the economy improves. Sadly, it probably won’t be the same when it re-opens. Different owners, etc.

I miss it, too. Really enjoyed it. Over the years when heading downtown alone (strictly for research purposes, or course), I’d usually park at the Gold Spike for some $1 blackjack (back when the Gold Spike was a dive), and hit the Lady Luck for a couple of cocktails and 25 cent video poker before moving on to dinner somewhere on Fremont Street.

My dad & I returned from an 8 day stay at the Flamingo earlier this year. The closet was broke in the room and I don’t think the maid vacuumed the whole time we were there. One day, she never even left any towels! We will not be staying there again.

Did get to Fremont Street this trip. it was wonderful, just wish we would have eaten in the Golden Nugget sooner. Best buffet we ever had! Marvelous time at the Wayne Newton show at the MGM. Had fun at the meet and greet after the show. Wayne is soooo gracious and really gives everything hes got at every show. Cant wait till next time!

Donna

Ted Responds:

A word to the hotels who have been cutting staff to the bone in an effort to save money: This is what you are getting. Unhappy customers.

Never be afraid to call (or visit) the front desk if service is lacking. Something as simple as “It doesn’t appear that our towels were changed out nor was our room vacuumed today. Can you send someone up to take care of this” should suffice.

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

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

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 I4Vegas Discount Las Vegas Reservations and spend one of the following hot dates having fun in Las Vegas:

  • 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
  • Easter Sunday April 4
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 9
  • Memorial Day, U.S May 29-31 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 20

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.

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

June 24, 2009 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – March 25, 2009

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AccessVegas.com InsideráVibe

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.

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! It is starting to feel like the Vegas of old around here. March Madness is in full swing, the Mint 400 race is in town, Fremont Street (downtown) is buzzing with activity and visitors in a way I haven’t seen in a decade (if ever) and it is pool weather every day of the week. Leave your coat at home. The next time we’ll have a downright cold overnight will be sometime in October.

He Who Laughs Last… – You guys (the long-time Las Vegas visitor) are winning! Little back-story for new visitors:

For decades, Las Vegas drew visitors with amazing sights to see coupled with unbeatable value. Even if someone came and lost a bundle, the would brag to their friends for months about the $4.99 complete prime rib dinner, $1 drinks, amazing hotel room (for next-to-nothing) and count the days until they returned.

A few years ago, the hotel casinos started going “Why are we giving all this stuff away? Let’s charge New York City prices for everything. Our profits will soar!” They did and it worked for a while. The economy was booming, Vegas was at the peak of popularity, and it looked like the ride would never end.

Then the government got in on the action. Somebody got the bright idea we needed a Performing Arts Center downtown. This despite the area having more venues than I have fingers to count, ranging from a few hundred to nearly 20,000 in capacity. This despite the fact that we already have our own “culture” with amazing shows ranging from Blue Man Group to Jersey Boys and Phantom to all of the various Cirque du Soleil shows.

Still with me here? Local government decided to fund the Performing Arts Center construction through a rental car tax. (Something I spoke out against furiously here). Like you guys are made of money and just want to pay more.

Guess what? The downturn in the economy (and visitors cutting back by not renting a car) has left the performing arts center well short of the needed construction revenue. Rental car taxes were about 30% lower than projected and local government had to sell redevelopment bonds to cover (which has more of the tax burden falling on the locals).

Serves them right. We don’t need visitors funding politicians pet projects. Hopefully, this will make them think twice before they go to you (our visitor) for revenue. In addition, hotels are being forced to bring room prices into line with the traditional value pricing that we’re famous for here, and restaurants/bars have started getting much more aggressive with food and drink specials.

Which brings me to…

Reinventing Las Vegas – Local tourism leaders (which is a code word for “politically connected people who live off the slush fund of tourism marketing dollars but pretty much have no clue what is really going on”) are now clamoring to re-invent Las Vegas!

These morons cite “studies” of this, that, and the other thing. Studies, my a@@. I’d be shocked if any of our readers (some 50-60,000 per week) have ever been part of a “Las Vegas visitor study.” (If you have, drop us a line at allvegastv@aol.com and tell us about it).

How about these “leaders” get off of their well-cushioned behinds and get out and rub elbows with you guys. Get some real feedback. Go stand in line for a buffet. Pay $6 for a beer (out of their own pocket) at a casino bar and see how that feels.

At the very least, read our Members Mania section each week which is packed with true, honest and direct comments (good, bad and in-between) from you guys. The REAL Las Vegas visitor, reading this newsletter from all points on the globe and giving real-world insight and feedback about your stay.

OK… enough of my soapbox, but we’ll never quit fighting for a Las Vegas where you have an amazing vacation, find tremendous value, and crave returning time and time again.

Next week, new photo sets and show reviews. We had a few bumps in the road with construction at our modest headquarters, but we’ve just about back to full steam ahead.

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:

Aliante from $30, Boulder Stn from $30, Fiesta H from $25, Green Valley from $80, Palace Stn from $25, Red Rock from $90, Sunset Stn from $50, Texas Stn from $29, Wild Wild W. from $24, More Savings At All Vegas Hotels!

Tiger Sharks Now Lurk At Mandalay Bay – Species Ranked Second Deadliest To Great White Shark – Two female tiger sharks now rule the waters of Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. The only tiger sharks available for viewing in the U.S., these exciting new additions can be identified by their distinct tiger-striped markings in the 1.6-million-gallon aquarium. “We are delighted to unveil these powerful predators to our guests of Shark Reef Aquarium,” said Adrienne Rowland, the facility’s director. “The tiger sharks demonstrate Shark Reef’s goal to raise awareness and appreciation of our world’s fascinating marine life.”

Jennifer Hudson And Robin Thicke To Co-Headline At The Pearl At The Palms – Grammy winning, platinum recording artist Robin Thicke and Grammy and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson co-headline a five-week U.S. tour including a stop in Las Vegas at The Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Casino Resort on Friday, May 1, 2009. The tour brings together a powerhouse of two of the most distinctive and enduring voices in the current world of R&B music. World-renowned for her astonishing live vocals, this marks the first official tour for Hudson, who recently won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for her self-titled debut album.

Penn & Teller Celebrate 35 Years As A Duo – The Bad Boys Of Magic Remain Larger Than Life – This month marks the 35th anniversary of Penn & Teller as a comedy-magic team and the “Bad Boys of Magic” are celebrating the occasion in a big way. The duo has spent most of their lives playing with knives, guns, livestock and fire-eating showgirls and now a 27,000 square image of them graces the side of the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. The larger than life replica depicts Penn precariously dangling Teller over fire, which perhaps does not qualify as their craziest stunt but certainly the largestùstanding 26-stories high overlooking the Las Vegas Strip.

Cr³e Fest 2 Coming To The New Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Saturday, August 1 – M÷tley Cr³e, along with some of rock’s top touring acts, will hit the road again this summer for Cr³e Fest 2. Cr³e Fest 2 will make its stop at The New Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Saturday, August 1. M÷tley Cr³e will perform the entire album, Dr. Feelgood, from beginning to end at Cr³e Fest 2 in addition to their hits. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Dr. Feelgood, which became the Cr³e’s first #1 album on the Billboard charts. To celebrate the anniversary, the band plans to theme the second edition of their festival tour with imagery inspired by Dr. Feelgood.

Strip House At Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Unveils The Strip House Burger – Strip House, Las Vegas’ premiere steak house, serves up the Strip House burger at the bar. Available exclusively at the bar and in the lounge for $16.50, the Strip House burger offers guests the opportunity to indulge in Executive Chef John Schenk’s take on an American classic. To start, the 8-ounce burger is served with choice of cheddar, Swiss or American cheese. Diners have the freedom to customize their burger with a variety of toppings including bacon, mushrooms, grilled onions, tomato, lettuce, roasted red peppers and pickle. A side dish of steak fries, fried onions or both is also served to complement the creation.

Casting Announced For Disney’s The Lion King At Mandalay Bay Theatre In Las Vegas – Casting has been announced for the Las Vegas production of Disney’s THE LION KING. The eagerly awaited sit-down production will leap onto the Mandalay Bay Theatre stage with preview performances May 5, and celebrate its official opening May 15. It will join the seven other highly successful companies of THE LION KING currently running all over the world, including New York, London, Hamburg, Paris, Tokyo and Fukuoka, as well as the North American National Tour. For the Las Vegas production, Disney hand-selected an international cast of performers who have won acclaim in productions of THE LION KING around the world, including New York, Taipei, South Africa, London, Los Angeles, Australia, Toronto, Shanghai, Paris and Holland.

Pin-Up Superstar Bernie Dexter Visits Love Jones At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Pin-up model Bernie Dexter visits Love Jones inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to greet fans, sign autographs, and model Lucy B lingerie on Friday, April 10 from 5 û 9 p.m. Dexter is arguably the most famous retro style pin-up model today. In addition to regularly modeling for Lucy B lingerie, Stop Staring, EC Star and Lucky 13, she is the creator of her very own rockabilly fashion for women. Dedicated to the art of seduction, sensuality, and the power of the female form, Love Jones features top-of-the-line lingerie, hosiery, jewelry, swimwear and accessories such as paddles, whips, handcuffs, lotions and candles. In true Las Vegas style, Love Jones offers a full menu of lingerie that can be ordered day or night and delivered directly to any room at the Hard Rock.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Hello Ted, Thanks for the newsletter and keep up the good work.

Just had another awesome visit to Vegas. TI’s (Treasure Island) new rooms are gorgeous, Jay Leno was good, but Better Midler was a fantastic surprise. I will miss the MGM/Mirage partnership but think I will still be a TI guest if possible.

Also, I think I learned of the lounge at The Range at Harrah’s from your newsletter. The ambiance in the restaurant is enhanced by the nice jazz and being away from the casino. Enjoyed a great meal there too. I can see why someone might want to escape to that lounge!

No long hauling this time, but since when do taxi drivers not even attempt to give you change? They expect 25 -50% tip? One walked into the cab in front of me and then didn’t even open my door on his side of the car, and then berated us for not giving him 40%. Took 3 taxis and all three rounded up to the nearest $5 in their minds. That didn’t make us feel like giving them more. That was our only negative thoughts.

Now it’s back to reality.

Inga

Hi, I’ve just read your piece on your stay at the Palace Station. The very first time I came to Vegas that is where I stayed and found it a very enjoyable experience. I would recommend it to anybody.

I will be returning to Vegas in October for my 5th visit and I’m fetching all my family for our very first holiday together (probably the last too) there will be 7 of us plus my great grandson, so could you tell me if it’s possible to hire a vehicle which can accommodate all of us as my son-in-law is the only driver and driving will be the most economic way to see the Grand Canyon.

We are staying at the Riviera, so I might try your tip for getting an upgrade (hehehe) not sure a family of Brits can carry it off though!! Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Hopefully the Exchange rate for the Dollar will have improved later in the year, need plenty of bucks for your great shops

Thanks for the great newsletter, I always look forward to it popping into my inbox.

Kind regards,

Ann

Ted Responds:

Rental car companies rent vans and mini-vans. If you check around, you should be able to find one that comfortably seats 8 people. You will need to provide a child seat or baby carrier depending on your great grandson’s age.

Numerous Strip hotels actually have car rental counters. Dial the font desk and see if yours does. If not, Simply crack open the phone book (usually kept in the nightstand beside the bed) and see which one is closest to you.

I’d try the $20 trick (“bribing the check-in clerk with a folded, visible $20 bill placed with your credit card and ID left on the hotel desk counter) at the Riviera. There really isn’t much to it. If no upgrade, they’ll leave your money on the counter and you take it back. If you are all checking in at once to multiple rooms (with one person handling all the paperwork and payment), you may want to just use $50 in hopes that all rooms will be upgrades (or at least a good view or similar).

Thanks for reading and telling your friends,

I notice that you no longer include dining specials on your website or am I just not finding the link. I will be there later in Feb and enjoy trying new bargain places to eat !!

Linda

Ted Responds:

We’ve replaced that section with our new blog: http://www.easyvegasdeals.com The specials changed too often to keep up on, and we had too many complaints that our info was out-of-date (when we had no control over how long specials ran or when they changed). This way, we post info as it becomes available.

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 BJ 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. As I always note, we are a small company that relies on word-of-mouth!

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

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

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

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

March 25, 2009 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – May 28, 2008

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

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.

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! As usual, both the Las Vegas Strip and Fremont Street were jammed over Memorial Day weekend. The cool weather (partly cloudy, mild temps) keep the mood slightly more subdued than usual but hey… 70 degrees (F)á beats the 108 we had the week before!

A big congratulations goes to Mac King for being named the top Comedy Magician in the world according to Magic Magazine (April 2008 issue). I have the actual issue and was very impressed that this wasn’t just some “award” but a careful, scientific, peer-chosen determination.

He actually beat out both Penn and Teller and The Amazing Johnathan, two names which have had far greater media exposure. Plus, the price is right. Mac King is an afternoon show that will be both easy on your wallet and get you our of our pending summer heat.

Tickets for Las Vegas’ top comedy magic shows:

Las Vegas Rio Sky ShowThe new Rio “Show in the Sky” has just (and I mean JUST) launched. We haven’t even had time to pop over and see it, but the press stuff they sent out notes it is much more sexy and sensual, including three different shows:

With three different shows, guests are encouraged to stay a while for an all new experience to see a unique show each time. The bedroom style performance will feature a 17 foot-long bed with high-energy performers of seduction. The bath/spa style performance will encompass a glamorous stage with sexy girls in towels. The modern-day club performance brings the feeling of old Hollywood glamour meets classic burlesque with accents of rhinestones and feathers throughout.

Shows play nightly on the hour from 7 PM to Midnight.

Las Vegas Second Most Digital Savvy – I never thought I’d see this day, but Las Vegas recently ranked second (behind Austin, TX) as the nation’s most digitally savvy city. This is a huge turn-around. When I launched AccessVegas.com in 1997 (and the predecessor two years earlier) as strictly online publications, casinos didn’t have websites and it seemed rare to find someone in upper management who knew what the internet was.

The Scarborough Research study cited the relatively young average age of residents, median household income of $53,000, higher tech penetration of warm, Western (US) cities, and the transient nature of the residents. This makes sense as people in their 20’s and early 30’s move here thinking they’ll have some fun, make some cash, then move back home (or move on to Southern California, Phoenix, or San Francisco). More of this story available here: Digital Savvy In Sin City

On the party front…

Dick’s last resort is brewing up beer pong, putting a silly spin on this infamous drinking game. They note:

DickÆs Last Resort invites you to test your skills at Bar Pong, the restaurantÆs very own rowdy rendition of the popular past time that is beer pong. With DickÆs entertainer extraordinaire Taco acting as the rambunctious referee, the game has never been this fun.

A touch of truth or dare is tossed in to add a twist as missed shots result in kooky challenges that will have everyone laughing. Whether flying solo or with friends, pick one of DickÆs 18 draft beers and join in the everlasting excitement where everyone is a winner.

Where: DickÆs Last Resort at Excalibur. When: 7 pm û Late, Wednesday û Sunday.

June 5 brings another edition of “Cinco de Taco” at the Pink Taco inside the Hard Rock Hotel offering $2 Coronas and Corona Lights, $3 Sauza Hornitos shots, $3.75 Sauza Hornitos margaritas as well as half-off appetizers from 4 p.m. until closing. “Cinco de Taco” features a live Mariachi band beginning at 6 p.m., and girls dressed in lingerie will be participating in three unique Pinata bashings filled with Love Jones lingerie. Click the above photo for previous “Cinco de Taco” photos.

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:

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Featured Review:
Take a Plunge Into The Mystical World Of Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere

by Denise Almas

The circus is coming. The circus is coming! Don’t be late or you may find yourself following an unconventional looking clown instead of an usher to your seat — or perhaps someone else’s seat. Thus begins the stunning and surrealistic Cirque du Soleil production of Mystere. As soon as the doors close, the ringmaster takes over and the true action begins with a baby playing ball and looking for his “papa”. After finding a “papa” in the audience, the story begins to unfold in a vibrant and visually stimulating performance.

With the exit of the ringmaster, the performers come alive with unusual costumes, dancing, and death defying acts that only highly trained professionals could deliver with poise, grace, and beauty. As music heightens the performances, these athletes fly through the air, balance on top of each other, and bring to life the mysteries of human emotion and capabilities. Without missing a beat, these international athletes perform feats such as the aerial high bar, bungee, and Chinese Poles.

Click to Read Entire Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere Las Vegas Review…

Featured Review:
Elton John Songs Improve With Time In Red Piano

by Lincoln Hudson

Stepping out onto the stage at Caesars Palace one can only gasp at the enormous enigma that Sir Elton John has become. Clearly older and wiser this superb and universal entertainer has lost none of the talent and passion that makes him easily one of the worlds greatest performers.

Red Piano is a magnificent show that beautifully uses the technology of both multi-media and film to tell the story and sub text of his songs. Elton John is not just a talented rock star but he is also quite clearly an Artist whose talent also includes writing hit musicals and adapting opera’s. Most amazing of all I find is the forever deepening sub text of his songs that go back almost thirty years.

Click to Read Entire Elton John Red Piano Las Vegas Review…

Harrah’s Hosts World’s Most Esteemed Flair Bartending Competition June 3 – 5 – Bartenders vie for cash and the coveted Ultimate Flair Bartending Championship Title. Harrah’s Carnaval Court welcomes the world’s most skilled flair bartenders June 3 -5, for the fourth annual international bartending competition, Ultimate Flair Bartending Championship (UFBC). The outdoor, Strip-side venue has earned the reputation as the world’s premier flair bar, thus it is fitting that the best-of-the-best flock to Carnaval Court to compete for the title of UFBC champ. Click to Read The Full Story …

Legendary Entertainer Wayne Newton Will Perform At MGM Grand July 31 – August 6 – “Mr. Las Vegas” Wayne Newton will light up the stage inside MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theatre for a seven-night engagement July 31 û August 6. (Tickets) Show time is 8:30 p.m. nightly. Additional performances will go on sale later this year. This appearance marks Newton’s first performance at MGM Grand since 1999. Newton has been entertaining audiences worldwide for more than 60 years having started at the age of four years old. After several appearances on ABC’s popular hit series “Dancing with the Stars,” Newton returns to MGM Grand to perform alongside a 22-piece orchestra. Click to Read The Full Story …

Love Bites at Shark Reef Aquarium – Imagine tying the knot as sharks and other dangerous predators float by. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay offers couples the chance to say “I do” in this unforgettable setting. Coordinated by the professional staff of “THE wedding chapel” at Mandalay Bay, the Shark Reef Wedding Package includes a bouquet and garter for the bride, boutonniere for the groom, minister, pianist, a wedding album and more. Priced at $1,175, tax excluded. Call 702-632-4555 for more details.

Star-Studded Lineup Gathering For Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Poker Event June 8 At The World Series Of Poker – Stars Teri Hatcher, Joely Fisher plus Cheryl Hines, Camryn Manheim and Mindy McCready among Celebrities Scheduled to Participate at Rio Las Vegas. While poker continues to grow worldwide, one of the biggest areas of growth is coming from female participation. Thus, the anticipation for this year’s World Series of Poker female-only event, the $1,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em World Championship, is greater than ever before. Click to Read The Full Story …

The Time Reunite At Flamingo Las Vegas – All-Time Greatest Party Band Together Again For The First Time In 18 Years – Flamingo Las Vegas presents special limited dates of legendary Minneapolis funk band, The Time, June 24 – July 5 and July 29 – Aug. 2. (Tickets) These exclusive performances mark the first time the original band members have performed together in 18 years, following their acclaimed appearance at this year’s Grammy Awards. The master of cool, Morris Day, will reunite with his original band mates, valet Jerome Benton, drummer Jellybean Johnson, bass player Terry Lewis, guitarist Jesse Johnson and keyboard artists Jimmy Jam and Monte Moir to perform all of their classic hits. Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: The King and I Part Two – with Victor H. Royer. Neither Lady M nor the King ever had to worry about announcing themselves, or about reservations. They just showed up whenever they felt like it. In this case, the King had a problem with Lady M, and so the casino thought they had a problem. But the King was very well adjusted. He wasnÆt fretting about it. He simply did whatever it was that he did in his suite, and when Lady M finally left, he came down to play his machines.á

Me being there must have, at first, seemed like it was going to be another problem for everybody, but the KingÆs graciousness and understanding resolved the situation and rendered a potential problem totally moot. I was actually quite impressed by him, the way he acted, and his royal persona. Click to Read Complete Article…

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 Circus, Baseball, NFL Football, College Football, All Major Concerts and Events

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Just reading your news letter and especially the part about the planes. This bit made me smile: “However, many of you are flying 12-16 hours to get here and that commitment to come visit isn’t lost on us either.”á

Not lost on you but for many of us Brits who used to come over regularly ( I came at least once a year ) we’ve decided that enough is enough and we are no longer prepared to queue for two hours or more once we get off the plane at Chicago or Atlanta or Washington, as we crawl towards the Immigration desk where we are finger printed and photographed.á

12 hours on a plane, then two hours to pass thru Chicago. Normally you miss your connecting flight to Vegas and then have to kill another 3 or 4 hours before making the next 3 hour leg of the journey.

I tried going direct last time ( not a lot of cheap direct flights for those of us living in the North of England ) and the wait to pass thru Immigration at McCarran was nearly two hours as well. I love Vegas but I just can’t do the immigration- Homeland security bit any more.

Regards,

Dave Kendall

Ted Responds:

I appreciate the note and understand the hassle. We call the TSA here the Transportation Screw-Up Administration. And something should be done to speed up the immigration lines here, especially with the number of international flights.

May I suggest sending the same note you sent me to our local paper as a letter to the editor? They have even an bigger voice than I do (politicians generally don’t read tourism publications like ours, but they read the newspaper). You can even submit it online at
http://www.reviewjournal.com/about/print/press/letterstoeditor.html

In fact, I suggest all of our international readers frustrated about this to spend just a couple of minutes doing so. A barrage of complaints will have to be noticed by our newspaper and it might even create extra coverage (or a feature story) that the politicians can’t ignore.

My husband and I have been coming to Vegas for the past 15 years and if you can believe it our latest trip in April/08 is the first time we have been to Fremont Street and we fell in love with it.

My questions is this-is Fremont Street a safe place to stay for a few days at one of their hotel/casinos? This concern for safety has been the reason we have never ventured downtown before now but we spent 3 days of our trip playing/eating/shopping/enjoying the shows during our latest visit and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Keep up all the wonderful work you all on the newsletter, we look forward to it and have learned so much from it. Thanks so much,

Wayne and Sandy M.
Rochester, NH

Ted Responds:

Downtown is as safe as The Strip provided you stay in the tourism areas. But one should never wander off (on foot) well away from normal tourism areas anywhere unless they specifically know the area. The upside of downtown is the more reasonable priced rooms, food, and entertainment. Also, the casinos are all right next to each other. No long walks when you want to change scenery.

The downside is the bus or cab right to The Strip. What many do is buy an all day pass on The Deuce (bus running from downtown to The Strip every few minutes, 24/7). For those looking at the price of airfare and Strip hotel rooms and cringing but still really wanting to come visit, I suggest this: Stay downtown where you’ll still find the Vegas that everyone used to talk about where prices are much easier on the wallet.

Do you have any insight into valet parking at Las Vegas hotels? Reason, we were in town a week ago and valet parked at every hotel. Our camera and GPS unit were stolen from our car and the only time it was unlocked is when we valet parked.á

We didn’t discover they were missing until a couple of days later when we went to use them and there is no damage on the car. Is this a problem in Las Vegas? Any ideas of what can be done? Any help would be appreciated.

Evelyn Dotson

Ted Responds:

This is the first time we’ve had anyone bring this issue up in the 9 years of the newsletter so it probably isn’t widespread. Valet parkers make really good money and would be stupid to jeopardize it. Also, they have casino surveillance cameras on them pretty much at all times.

However, it is a good reminder for people to check their stuff after they valet. If something is missing, security can roll back all the cameras that your car was on and probably catch who did it. If you know the license plate on the car you were driving, you can write the property and tell them your problem. Don’t delay as I don’t know how long they keep surveillance video.

In the future… for any theft on a casino property (purse/wallet theft or anything): Keep track of your stuff the best you can (so you know when it is missing) and report any theft as soon as possible. Pretty good chance they can roll some video back and try to see who did it. At the very least, they can then keep an eye out for the thief.

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:

  • 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
  • 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 28, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – December 6, 2000

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WELCOME to Access Vegas News and Reviews, now with subscribers in over 40 countries around the world! This is the official newsletter of http://www.accessvegas.com We talk about the Las Vegas attractions, dining, and shows that YOU really care about.

This is not spam. If you receive this by mistake, unsubscribe information is at the bottom. Click here: http://www.recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=826126 to recommend it to friends! This newsletter is free. To subscribe, simply send a blank email to below

Book Online and Save – Easy and Secure with Instant Confirmation:

* Discount Las Vegas Rooms : http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-discounts.htm
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* Discount Hotel Rooms – All Cities: http://www.lodging.com/affiliates/us_reservations.cgi?remote=tedinvegas
* Best Tours/Rates for Grand Canyon, Hoover, more: http://www.accessvegas.com/tours

HOTEL MESSAGE BOARDS – Help others and share your Las Vegas hotel opinions!

Read Opinions: http://boards.accessvegas.com
Post Opinions: http://boards.accessvegas.com

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This Issue: Hoover Dam

Curious about a show, restaurant, or other Las Vegas attraction that looks fun? Let us review it for you first! Suggestions are always welcome at allvegastv@aol.com

 

LAS VEGAS NEWS – of interest to tourists:

TERRIBLES HOTEL & CASINO – has just opened at Paradise and Flamingo (about a mile from Bellagio). It is the site of the former Continental, but bears no resemblance to that dive. The hotel has been completely renovated and transformed into an Italian Tuscany-style resort. Story at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Nov-30-Thu-2000/business/14911695.html and we have hotel info and rates at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-other.htm (Terribles Hotel link).

LAS VEGAS BOWL – UNLV and Arkansas both won games at the end of the season to become bowl eligible, and will meet up on Dec. 21 here in Las Vegas. The game will be televised on ESPN but rooms that week are running under $40 at some Strip hotels for those that want to see it live. Stories at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Dec-04-Mon-2000/sports/14956117.html and http://www.sportingnews.com/cfootball/articles/20001204/278065.html , rooms at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-discounts.htm , and tickets at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/EventInfo?pid=646650

BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS – hit the MGM last night. Full story at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Dec-06-Wed-2000/news/14975556.html and a list of winners at http://news.excite.com/news/ap/001206/02/ent-billboard-awards-list Britney Spears didn’t make a lot of friends at Gordon Biersch, failing to leave a tip on a comped meal. Story on that at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Dec-06-Wed-2000/news/14970702.html

MEAL DEALS – The day of the 99 cent buffet is long gone, but Las Vegas still has a few great meal deals around. The catch? Many of them are off the menu. Every few months, we mention the Hard Rock’s complete steak and shrimp dinner for $5.95 (available in the coffee shop). The R-J notes a number of others at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Nov-15-Wed-2000/living/14796640.html Print that article out and bring it on your next trip!

GOLD POINT GHOST TOWN – If you really want to explore the “wild west,” this one is for you. Multi-jackpot winner (some people have all the luck)! Herb Robbins used some of the cash to buy the ghost town of Gold Point, NV. He has spruced the place up just a little, and if you are willing to take the 3 hour drive north of Las Vegas, you can get bed and breakfast and take yourself back in time a bit. Story at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1999/Nov-14-Sun-1999/news/12286326.html , photos at http://www.ghosttowngallery.com/htme/goldpoint.htm , and info and reservations at http://www.goldpointghosttown.com

GUGGENHEIM – Two of the most prestigious names in the art world, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and the State Hermitage Museum of Russia, announced plans for an ambitious project in Las Vegas, including a seven-story museum. Full story at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Oct-21-Sat-2000/news/14653795.html

MONORAIL – The Strip monorail project is on track, and will run from the MGM to The Sahara. Interestingly enough, it turns east in the Vicinity of The Venetian, missing much of the upper Strip. Story and map at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Nov-10-Fri-2000/news/14795508.html

$25 HOTEL REBATE — you pick the hotel! Our partners at Hotel Reservations Network are giving you $25 back on any 2+ night stay in Las Vegas or any major city they reserve. Claiming your cash is simple:

1. Print out: http://www.accessvegas.com/100-rebate.htm
2. Book a room online at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-discounts.htm
3. Send in for your rebate when you get home.

It doesn’t get any easier than that, and you get their low price guarantee
to boot!

 

Note: We have been remodeling! Our tours site at http://www.accessvegas.com/tours is now divided by types of tours (Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, National Parks, Scenic Tours) with photos, tour descriptions, and more. We have added headliner information to the Shows page at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-shows.htm

RESTAURANT REVIEWS – Recent reviews appearing in the media:

* Olives (Bellagio) – http://www.lvcitylife.com/dining/stories/00111601d.html

CONCERTS AND SHOWS:

SHOWS – See which shows are playing during your stay and book reservations EVEN if the tickets aren’t on sale yet. Let ShowVegas takes care of all your needs directly online! Search by dates at http://www.showvegas.com/svpricing.cfm?amid=3230&cscheme=1

EFX – Changes are afloat. Rick Springfield takes over the lead roll from Tommy Tune in two months, and plans to take the show in more of an energetic rock direction. Full story at http://tv.zap2it.com/news/tvnewsdaily.html?14349

AT THE COPA – is no more. The show has sold well, but rumors of conflict between producer (and star) David Cassidy and costar Sheena Easton have been in the air almost from day one. Full story at http://news.excite.com/news/ap/001202/01/ent-david-cassidy

GUNS ‘N ROSES – are playing Las Vegas New Year’s Eve at the House of Blues. Full story and ticket info at http://www.mtv.com/sendme.tin?page=/news/headlines/001206/story6.html Although I was a marginal fan of the group, I won’t be shelling out the $150 – $250 for a band who’s singer has a habit of wrecking shows with his tantrums.

SHOW REVIEWS – Recent reviews appearing in the media:

* Penn and Teller – http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Nov-10-Fri-2000/weekly/14768184.html

CONCERTS and HEADLINERS – Our listing is available online anytime at http://www.accessvegas.com/entertainment/index.htm

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LAS VEGAS WEATHER – This 5 day forecast is courtesy of Weather.Com:

Thursday – 64/42 Mostly Cloudy
Friday – 64/41 Partly Cloudy
Saturday – 62/37 Scattered Showers
Sunday – 56/30 Scattered Showers

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FEATURE STORY: Hoover Dam

hoover-dam.jpg (17845 bytes)Hoover Dam has often been referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World. If you have flown in from the east or the south, you might have seen it from the air, but nothing can compare to seeing it up close and in person.

Built between 1931 – 1935 to harness the flow of the Colorado River, Hoover Dam is primarily responsible for storing the water used by people and agriculture in the desert southwest including Arizona, California, and Nevada. California is entitled to 4,400,000 acre-feet, Arizona 2,800,000 acre-feet, and Nevada, 300,000 acre-feet a year from the river, and the dam stores it for constant release regardless of season. Sitting only 30 miles from the Strip, it is also a top tourist attraction for Las Vegas visitors.

Visiting the dam is a unique experience! With US 93 running across it, you are completely free to roam on the top of the dam. The view over the edge 550+ feet in the air and down Black Canyon on the Colorado River is worth the trip all by itself. For a $4 admission, the visitor’s center contains quite a bit of historical and interesting photos and exhibits. There is also a self-guided tour which you can print out online at http://www.hooverdam.com/service/Sgt2.pdf

However, the real fun are the two tours offered. The shorter tour is fine for most. Taking 30 minutes, you go down into the dam and view the generators and are taken at to the base of the dam, where you can peer down the canyon and up toward the top of the towering structure. However, if you have a sense of adventure or are more interested in the technical inner workings, the one hour Hard Hat tours is a must.

You descend into the side of the dam in an elevator cut through the volcanic rock, and after a short walk through a pure rock tunnel, emerge in the generator room. Unlike the short tour, you are taken via another elevator to the floor of the generating area where you stand next to the huge encased turbines.

You also are taken down below the generating area where you stand just above one of the pipes feeding water through the giant electrical turbines, and can actually see the shaft of the turbine rotating. From there it is outside, for the same magnificent view of the canyon and up at the dam that you enjoy with the shorter tour. You are also taken into tunnels where you can see the huge pipes that were buried in the walls of the canyon.

A real highlight of this trip is touring the inside of the dam itself, which is lined with two miles of tunnels that serve both for drainage (all dams have a minor amount of seepage inside) and inspection. When looking down over the edge of the dam (and especially looking up from the bottom), you might notice a few vents on the side of the dam. Guess what — on the hard hat tour you can actually walk to the vent and peer out at the canyon from the inner center of the dam. Truly amazing.

The tours is not for the claustrophobic, especially the hard hat tour where you take 10 separate elevator rides with 20 people to each elevator car, and also walk the interior tunnels of the dam which are around 5 feet wide and 7 feet tall.

The visitor center is open from 8:00 AM to 5:45 PM. Tours start at 8:30 AM and run the remainder of the day. Parking on the Nevada side (in the garage) is $3.00. Parking on the Arizona side is free. The Traditional tour is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $2 for kids 7 – 16. The Hard Hat tour is $25 and includes a hard hat which you get to keep.

For those without transportation, we offer Hoover Dam tours at http://www.accessvegas.com/tours/hoover-dam-tours.htm If you have drove to town or are renting a car, the dam is easy to find. Head south on The Strip to I-215. Go east on I-215 for about 10 miles until the freeway ends at a set of stoplights. Continue straight about 1/2 mile (I-215 turns into Lake Mead Dr.) to the junction with US 93/95 and head south. Stay on US 93 for the next 20 miles or so (through and past Boulder City). US 93 crosses the dam so once on US 93, you can’t get lost.

An alternate, more scenic route is to skip turning off to US 93/95 and stay on Lake Mead drive. Just stay on it (there will only be one fork in the road: veer right) — it is named Lake Mead Drive for a reason! This route is about 10 miles longer but skirts the lake with some great views before returning to US 93 just a couple miles from the dam. There is a toll station collecting $5 per car on this route.

IMPORTANT: Hoover Dam is a very popular attraction and US 93 also carries thousands of cars each day as the main road southeast out of Las Vegas. Plus, the dam is at a lower elevation than Las Vegas, resulting in temperatures that can be 10 degrees hotter than in the city. This can be brutal late spring to early fall. Also, the tours are usually the least crowded and most available early in the day. Hit the road early. Grab a cheap buffet breakfast at the Railroad Pass Casino (on your left just after crossing the railroad tracks as you head out of town on US 93/95) and get there early to beat the crowds and the heat.

Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Scenic Southwest Tours – by plane, bus, or even helicopter! You’ve seen the glossy ads in the tourist brochures. You’ve thought about it. You come all the way to Las Vegas — why not see one of the some of the most famous landmarks in the world! Don’t by tricked by web sites & magazines that offer discount tours. Taxes, park fees, permits can almost double the price. Our prices are inclusive – no hidden charges! Best Las Vegas Tours

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Mike and Nancy P. wrote:

>Based on your review, we had booked tickets for Jerry Lewis through
>the service listed in your newsletter.á We paid a little extra and got
>2nd row center seats.á Jerry puts on a truly spectacular show.á I
>can’t believe how he can go on for 2 hours, and still close with
>energy.á Sitting up close is definitely worth the few dollars extra to
>pick up his facial expressions.á I was amazed that the Friday night
>show (Nov 17) was not sold out.á Everyone should see this show.
>
>We stopped by the Aladdin and were not impressed.á My wife thought it
>was gaudy and tacky.á And they still have 100 trailers out back loaded
>with more stuff to put inside.
>
>We also went to Mandalay Bay and thought that was nice.á Any comments
>on how the rooms there compare to the Venetian?
>
>Thanks for the newsletter, it’s great.

Thanks for the kind words. Everybody continues to note that the service fee is a small price for guaranteed tickets before you arrive. You can always punch in the dates of your visit at http://www.showvegas.com/svpricing.cfm?amid=3230&cscheme=1 and see which shows and headliners are playing and how much the tickets are.

I am in my mid-30’s and went to see Jerry Lewis to review the show and see a living legend, but not expecting much. Boy was I wrong! For those who missed my Jerry Lewis review a few months ago, it is archived at https://las-vegas-news-reviews.com/00-09-13.htm

I’ve only seen the Venetian rooms (very impressive true suites). Readers, have you stayed at both Mandalay and Venetian? Give us a room comparison at allvegastv@aol.com

Alyce Templeton wrote:

>I, along with a small group of friends recently returned from a week
>long visit to Las Vegas – my first visit – what a great experience.
>It is truly an amazing town to explore and it offers some great side
>trips out of town which we took advantage of, namely the West Rim of
>the Grand Canyon and a Hoover Dam tour.á I have been receiving your
>Vegas e-mail column for about 4 months now and from the feedback I
>have been reading – was a bit skeptical about using any taxi service
>when in town.á However, I must say the few times we used a taxi to
>save time, our experience was nothing but good.á Drivers were very
>friendly and helpful (although one had the driving skills of a New
>York City Cabbie – he was polite also).á I asked one taxi driver why
>he thought they had such a negative reputation and he responded by
>saying he has found that either a driver is very good or very bad –
>not much middle ground.á I guess we were very lucky!á Hope to return
>in a few years to see all the new additions and changes in the works
>for this interesting town.á Thanks for this great newsletter which
>helps me to remember a very memorable vacation!

We are glad you had a great time! Unfortunately, it is feast or famine with the taxi drivers. The cab companies, like many other businesses, are having trouble finding and keeping good help. If you are at all geographically inclined, it never hurts to buy a Las Vegas city map so you can have a clue whether they are taking you the best route. If you ever have a dispute or feel that you got ripped off by a cab driver, get the name of the company and the cab number from the side of the cab and call the Taxicab Authority at (702) 486-6532

>We visiting Vegas in January.á My husband was in a car crash in March of
>this year and broke both ankles.á He still has trouble walking very
>far, so we need a way to get around on the strip and downtown.á Any
>information will help.

http://www.vegasdisabilityinfo.com has quite a bit of info, and if you can’t find the answers there you can email their webmaster at inett@earthlink.net

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Your input is welcome. Write us a “letter to the editor” at allvegastv@aol.com While space doesn’t permit publishing every letter, we do certainly read them all and they help shape our content. Please include your name if you wish to have it published (stating your city is optional). Also, guest article submissions are welcome with full credit to you, your website, etc., if accepted.

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ONLINE POLL – How do you usually get from the airport to your hotel? Let’s hear your opinions at http://www.accessvegas.com — results will be published next week!

FREE CONTESTS:

RULES: (unless otherwise noted or link to outside contest): You may enter every contest, but only one entry to each. The 20’th entry in each contest will be the winner. Send a blank email to the specified email address — we’ll get your mailing address from you only if you win. Also, please do not enter if you have won within the past month.

LIVE LOCAL WEATHER & A FREE TRIP TO VEGAS!! – It now PAYS to keep an eye on the weather! Download and register your own weather bug today, know what your local weather, alerts, storm watches, local satellite, and INSTA-CAM shots from your town all from a single click of the mouse. Lets not forget the chance at a FREE TRIP TO LAS VEGAS! http://by.advertising.com/1/c/22838/8488//6025

LAS VEGAS VACATION – Frommer’s is giving away roundtrip air transportation for two between a major airport in the 48 contiguous states to Las Vegas, Nevada, five-nights accommodations at the Aladdin Hotel & Casino, tickets to American Superstars Show, a buffet lunch, and admission to the Stratosphere Tower Observation Deck. Enter at (contest closed)

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Have a request for a review? Boggled when you come to town and see the hundreds of dining, attraction, and show opportunities? Let us know what you’d like to hear about! Unlike the tourist magazines where all of the “articles” are really paid ads, we give you the honest scoop. If you appreciate this service, please consider booking your rooms and rental cars for ALL destinations with us at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-discounts.htm You get secure ordering with the convenience and savings of booking online!

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New to the list? Back issues and subscription info can be found on the web at: https://las-vegas-news-reviews.com

Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates,
but please ask for permission before reproducing the content in any
form — we would just like to know who you are, that’s all. Thanks!

All contents copyright MM Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
December 6, 2000 ISSN: 1529-2770