Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 14, 2007

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


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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Free Photos, Wallpaper, and Streaming Videos

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Running a few days late here. I’d love to tell you it was because of lounging around the pool in flip-flops with Jimmy Buffet playing, but I was a little under the weather. Doing better, and looking forward to enjoying our unusually warm weather.

Las Vegas Kings? – This weekend is the crescendo of the NBA All-Star game hype, which has driven intense speculation of Las Vegas getting an NBA team. The biggest buzz is the possibility of the Sacramento Kings moving to town. Kings owners are the same family that own The Palms and the city of Sacramento has been loathe to give them a new arena.

My take? I grew up in an NBA city loving the game. But the very reason that most cities chase a pro sports franchise is for the validation of being a “major league” city. It brings an identity, and gets your city lots of TV mention during the sports season.

People already know where Las Vegas is and what we are about. We don’t struggle for recognition! Add to that the fact that most people living here are transplants, and already have allegiances to their team from “back home.”

Would every game sell out? Absolutely. Probably with 40% locals and 60% visitors from the other teams’ city. This would add another 500,000 tourists a year (provided that every visitor was taking a trip here outside of their normal visiting pattern), but are the Las Vegas team players going to enjoy playing in front of a hostile crowd on their home court night after night? Just something to think about that no one has yet brought up.

Bottom Line: The longer Las Vegas begs for any major league team regardless of sport, the more it makes us look like a second rate city begging for a team to help our identity. Not needed.

Every Breath You Take – I’ve rarely seen a buzz like the one surrounding the Police reunion tour. They are stopping in Las Vegas on June 15, 2007. Tickets have sold out quickly but we do have limited tickets available for shows in most cities (not just Las Vegas): Police Reunion Tour Tickets

Enjoy This Issue!



The Mel Brooks Musical Comedy The Producers Sells Out First Preview Performance At Paris Las Vegas – Following in the tradition of the Broadway production, the MEL BROOKS musical comedy THE PRODUCERS (ticket link) at Paris Las Vegas announced today, yesterday’s first preview performance was a sell out. “When The Producers opened on Broadway they performed to sold out audiences in New York,” said Michael Weaver, vice-president of marketing for Paris Las Vegas. “We are thrilled the Las Vegas production is following the same pattern.” Based on Mel Brooks’ Academy Award-winning 1968 film of the same name, the show tells the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer, Max Bialystock (Brad Oscar) and Leo Bloom (Larry Raben), a mousy accountant. Together, with the help of their flamboyant director, Roger DeBris (David Hasselhoff), they hatch the ultimate scam: raise more money than you need for a sure-fire Broadway flop and pocket the difference. Click to Read The Full Story …

“Forever Plaid” Returns To The Gold Coast Casino For Encore Performances – Feb. 6 Through April 1 – The boys in plaid are, once again, heaven-sent to perform “‘Forever Plaid’-The Heavenly Musical Hit!” (ticket link) in the Gold Coast Showroom for eight more weeks, beginning Feb 6 through April 1, 2007. “Forever Plaid” is a story about an endearing harmony group whose dreams of musical glory ended suddenly one fateful night en route to their professional debut in 1964. The group was slammed broadside by a school bus of Catholic teens on their way to see the Beatles make their television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. Click to Read The Full Story …

Keith Urban’s “Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy World Tour” Lands At Mandalay Bay Saturday, June 9 – Keith Urban’s (ticket link) much-anticipated return to the concert stage is set for the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, June 9 at 8 p.m. The electrifying show will feature hits from Urban’s recent multi-platinum album, Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing, as well as many of the No. 1 hits that have defined his career. The Wreckers, featuring Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp, will open the evening’s performance. “I am looking forward to getting back on the road, reconnecting with everyone and to doing what it is that I love to do,” said Urban. Click to Read The Full Story …

Jay’s White Hot Diamond! – Since 2002, dozens of shows in Las Vegas have opened and closed each year. During this same period, Jay White as Neil Diamond (ticket link), with his powerful band, has continued to heat up the Riviera’s Le Bistro stage with a concert style performance that captivates all ages. Rumors seem to spread quickly in this town and the word is that Jay White is “Truly Amazing!” At least that’s the quote from Leeza Gibbons of “Entertainment Tonight” and the reviews are the same from Jay Leno to Neil Diamond’s mother. Even Diamond himself was quoted saying; “Jay’s tribute is my favorite!” and upon meeting, the original signed their photo; “Jay keep singing, so I can stay home and relax,” a true testament to White’s talent. Click to Read The Full Story …

Mural, Mural On The Wall – The Las Vegas Hilton is now home to the largest hand painted mural in Las Vegas, a 128′ X 56’10’ image of Hilton headliner Barry Manilow (ticket link) on display on the property’s main tower (South facing). The mural was installed over a five day period using a grid system to prepare the image and three painters using brushes and rollers Sky Tag, the company responsible for the mural, specializes in spectacular images in metropolitan areas. This is the biggest superstar mural the company has painted in Las Vegas.

Sorrentino Headlines ‘Legends in Concert’ At IP – Comedian Performs ‘Voices in My Head,’ Elton John Impersonation – “The Bitch is Back” û and with him are voices in his head. For the first time ever in its 24 years, “Legends in Concert” (ticket link) at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino will headline a comedian to host the show. Click to Read The Full Story …

Carlos Mencia To Perform At The Pearl Concert Theater At The Palms March 23 – Comedy Central Favorite To Bring Spice To Las Vegas With His Unique Brand Of Comedy – Carlos Mencia (ticket link) makes audiences laugh each week on Comedy Central’s “Mind of Mencia” with his unique blend of political, man-on-the-street, physical and sometimes racial humor. On March 23 Mencia will bring his melting pot of wit to The Palms Casino Resort with a performance at the newest hotel addition, The Pearl. Both provocative and thought provoking, Mencia takes comedy one step beyond socially acceptable and uses his point of view to express to diverse audiences the absurdity and humility found in our everyday lives. Click to Read The Full Story …

The 2007 Entertainment Book – $5 Off – This book has has great coupons and discounts for restaurants, cinemas, shopping and sporting events. This month the deal is for $5 off the regular price of the book. Get $5 OFF any 2007 Entertainment book!

Footwear Designer Donald J Pliner To Appear At His Signature Store Inside The Forum Shops At Caesars Palace – Event To benefit The Public Education Foundation – Shoe designer Donald J Pliner and The Public Education Foundation have partnered up to sponsor a fundraising event in association with Pliner’s upcoming appearance in Las Vegas. The event will be held on Thursday, March 15 inside the Donald J Pliner boutique at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Pliner will make a personal appearance from 1:00 p.m. û 4:00 p.m. to introduce his spring/summer collection and meet and greet his customers. Click to Read The Full Story …

Crazy Superbowl Bets That Paid Off – The Colts beat the Bears 29-17 this to claim the world title as Super Bowl champions. The Las Vegas Hilton SuperBook was jammed with fans for all the exciting action. There was a couple of ‘firsts’ in this year’s game. It all started right from the opening kick: The first time ever a team ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. The SuperBook has already posted the odds for next year’s champion. Some of the favorites include: San Diego 6-1, Indianapolis 7-1, Chicago 8-1, and the Patriots at 10-1. Visit the SuperBook for all the current odds.

Gambling Talk: Playing Internet Tournaments — Part 3 — Sit-n-Go – with Victor H. Royer. The other alternatives are the very popular Sit-n-Go tournaments. These take the form and structure of usually only one table tournaments, which in the game of Texas Hold’Em will mean a table of 10 players, and that is all that there will be for that tournament. This is the same structure that is usually used in the brick-and-mortar casino poker rooms and card rooms for satellite tournaments, usually referred to as one table satellites. These are also offered on the Internet in precisely the Sit-n-Go format, and they also can qualify players to other tournaments, including many of the land-based tournaments on the WPT and WSOP circuits. Click to Read Complete Article

Vegas Photo Set Of The Week: Artisan Hotel and Spa Las Vegas – The Artisan Hotel is Las Vegas’ first luxurious, non-gaming boutique hotel. Experience the Artisan Hotel where you’ll find an elegant atmosphere with exquisite fine art adorning the lobby, hallways and ceilings. View artworks from both contemporary and classic artists such as Cezanne, Chagall, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Renoir, Van Gogh, and more. They have 64 finely-appointed rooms of which all are non-smoking rooms. Smoking rooms are not available at the Artisan; however, smoking is allowed in the lobby and the Artisan Cafe.

Vegas Streaming Video Of The Week: KA – Cirque Du Soleil – KA, the unprecedented new theatrical show from Cirque du Soleil at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, brings together astonishing acrobatic performances, the thrills and action of martial arts from all over the world, plus astonishing innovations in puppetry, multimedia and pyrotechnics. Together, they tell the epic story of a set of twins on a perilous journey to fulfill their shared destiny. KA brings the visual language of cinema to a dazzling live event that is more about storytelling than any previous Cirque production.

  • Click To View KA – Cirque Du Soleil: Broadband (only)


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!


Dear Las Vegas Newsletter Editor,

My husband will be in Las Vegas for about four days from in 24- out28 March 2007. It is part of a 40th wedding anniversary holiday we are taking. We are staying at the Bellagio Hotel and have heard that Cirque De Soleil O is very good to see.

We are very interested in hearing some good jazz and as it doesn’t feature in any of your newsletters so far, can you tell us if there is anything good on in jazz at that time? Also, we both like swimming. I am assuming there will be indoor pools. Is there any aquacize classes available in the Bellagio pool if there is one? Sorry to be so ignorant, but have no real information on Las Vegas at all. We are also interested in the desert and its features.

Penelope Toltz.

Ted Responds:

Las Vegas is a great place to spend an anniversary, and congratulations on your 40’th. What a milestone!

You didn’t mention whether you were interested in traditional jazz or smooth (modern) jazz. We do have a traditional jazz radio station KUNV 91.5 FM which you may want to tune to when you hit town. If smooth jazz is more your taste, 105.7 FM Smooth Jazz website lists a number of events. Sorry… neither stations stream at this time. An updated list of all jazz related events usually appears here: Smooth Jazz Hotspots

No indoor pools at any of the major resorts last time we checked. Pools in Las Vegas are geared toward relaxation and recreation, not so much exercise. While I certainly applaud your commitment to exercise, this is a special occasion and it is OK to come here and enjoy letting yourself go for a few days! If anyone


Is there anyway you can create your links to articles so that they do not hijack the web page? When I click on most of your article links they go to your web site for the article which is fine, but when I am finished reading the article and I hit the back button, most of the time the article will re-appear rather than sending me back to the newsletter.

If I go to the history for the back button and click on the occurrence before the article link, it takes me completely out of my email account and I have to re-log in.

Gail Heverly-Smith

Ted Responds:

I’m guessing you are among the growing number of people who read their email online (on a web page, not using an email program) and certainly more and more people are doing so. While most of these services open up links to other web pages in new browser windows, yours evidently doesn’t. There is a simple solution:

When putting your mouse arrow (on your screen) over a web page link, click the link with your RIGHT mouse button, not the usual left button. A small menu will appear. Choose “Open In New Tab (or Window) or similar command depending you your setup. This will open the story link without closing your email!

We don’t purposely create our newsletter to “hijack” any web pages. What is happening is that when you click to read the stories, you are simply “surfing” to the page with the story and away from your email. We will consider what we can do in the future to rectify this on our end. In the meantime, the above tip is useful in any internet surfing situation where you don’t want to completely leave the present page you are on.

Hope This Helps!


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

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

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

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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

  • 2007

  • St. Patricks Day March 17 (Falls on a Saturday)
  • March Madness (NCAA Basketball Playoffs) March 15-18, March 22-25, Final Four March 31-April 2
  • Victoria Day (Canada) May 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 26-28 (3 day weekend)
  • Mothers Day May 13
  • Fathers Day June 17
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday (Canada) August 6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day September 1-3 (3 day weekend)
  • Columbus Day (USA), Thanksgiving Day (Canada) September 6-8 (3 day weekend)
  • Christmas December 25 (4 day weekend – Christmas on Tuesday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (4 day weekend – New Years on Tuesday)

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

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

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



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

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

All contents copyright 2007 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

February 14, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 11, 2004

Featured Story:
David Brenner

Also In This Issue – February 12, 2004: Newkirk’s Notes, NASCAR Las Vegas, NFL vs. Vegas, Ray Horn Update, Casino Merger, Donald Trump Licensed, Free Streaming Golf Lessons, more …

Book online or over the phone! Call (toll free) 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas hotels, shows, tours, golf, and dining.

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

Hello from Las Vegas! I’m proud to announce a second newsletter coming in the next week or two. Trying to put everything in this one is walking too crazy of a tightrope.

Some of you want to hear every rumor, all the dirt, be informed right away about specials and events and similar. Others might find that overkill, and are very happy with getting the basics every week or two so you can plan a better vacation without being overwhelmed.

We’ll soon announce the new newsletter which will be much shorter, a little more edgy (opinion and commentary), and delivered almost daily. Current subscribers will not automatically be put on the new list. We’ll tell you how to get signed on when we debut it.

Lots Of Excitement – happening with plenty of great headliners on the way over the next few weeks:

Everybody stops and plays in Las Vegas. What a great excuse for a trip and the excitement of your favorite headliner or band here in Sin City! Click to our Concert Calendar for complete listings.

NASCAR Las Vegas – If you don’t know what “Boogity, Boogity, Boogity” means, skip to the next story. If you do, we are getting revved up for race weekend March 5-7. If you don’t get off your duff and decide to go now, you can deal with the pangs of watching it on TV while viewing all the special Las Vegas excitement that comes to our Nextel Cup race.

We have a limited number of tickets, packages (ticket and hotel to guarantee you are set), and special hotel deals for those already with tickets. Click to our complete NASCAR Las Vegas 2004 page. Me? I was a Rusty Wallace #2 fan until hometown guy Kurt Busch #97 hit the Cup. Gotta like #77 Brendan Gaughn, another hometown guy. One of the sales guys here lives and dies with the #20 Tony Stewart.

Remember, you can bet on the race every week at all the sports books, including betting the Las Vegas race before you go watch it live. Hot spots to watch all races? NASCAR Cafe at the The Sahara (of course) and Brendan’s Irish Pub, a large pub in The Orleans. The pub was named after casino magnate Michael Gaughn’s son Brendan. Same guy driving the Kodak #77 now.

No Fun League – The NFL pulled the plug on many Las Vegas Superbowl parties. This is part of a long-standing feud between the league and Las Vegas. They won’t let the Convention Authority (LVCVA) buy ads on the Superbowl broadcasts, claiming distance from gambling. (The proposed ad highlighted Las Vegas as a resort destination and did not mention gaming).

Taking it one step further, they sent legal letters to shut down many of the Superbowl parties, claiming copyright violation if the game is shown on a screen bigger than 55″. The Palms was going to show it in one of their movie theatres! The NFL also had a reported problem with hotels charging for admission to these parties.

Reality check: The game was on free broadcast TV and one could watch it for all over every casino for free: Sports books, bars, and some casinos had TV’s set up in gaming areas. The charge for the special parties covered food, booze, bikini girls, pro player appearances and similar arranged by the hotel for party attendees.

What’s next? The NFL won’t let you invite a few guys over to watch Monday night football if everybody is giving you a few bucks to take care of the food and booze for the evening? We got even. The LVCVA bought non-network time during the game in major markets like L.A., Dallas, Chicago, and others!

Roy Horn Update – Roy (Siegfried and Roy) Horn reportedly took a couple steps over the past weekend. We wish him well in his continuing recovery.

Huge Casino Merger – Boyd Gaming (Stardust, Main Street Station, Sam’s Town, etc.) merged with Coast Casinos (Barbary Coast, Gold Coast, Orleans, Suncoast) to form a major player in casino gambling. Coast will be operated as a subsidiary with Michael Gaughn continuing as the CEO, so don’t expect any major changes right away.

The power of the combined companies does clear the way for the Stardust to be expanded into a mega-resort without significant outside financing.

With Wynn Las Vegas being built across the street from Fashion Show mall (between Treasure Island and Stardust), we may see the “hot” part of The Strip moving back north after being concentrated at the south end of The Strip for the past few years.

Trump Licensed – The Donald got his ticket to run a gaming operation here in Las Vegas. No specifics yet, but he is also hinting at a Trump Tower. Not a bad move in a city where Turnberry (and Turnberry style) high end residential towers are sprouting up. (And I’m just one Megabucks pull away from buying one, damn it)!

Streaming Video Golf Lessons Part 7: Shadow Golf – We’ve teamed up with Revere Anthem Golf Club Director of Instruction Chris Eastman (in conjunction with ChefLive.com) and put together a series of eight streaming video golf tips.

Chris starts with fundamentals like aim and grip, and works through some of the finer points of the game. This week: Lesson 7 – Shadow Golf. Click To View All Streaming Lessons


See the Grand Canyon in a Jet Helicopter! For years Maverick Helicopters has been providing a true VIP Helicopter experience of the Grand Canyon. We do things a little different than any other helicopter Company. We give you an adventure of a lifetime and not just another tour of the Grand Canyon. Las Vegas Strip tours plus Helicopter Weddings also available!

Las Vegas Events, News, and Feedback

Click To Read Latest News:

Learn What People Are Saying On Our Travel Boards:

Travel Agents – We have a special offer of you. Please read it at the end of this newsletter.


Vegas Deals from $151
Lowest Rates on America West Air

Make a spring escape to Las Vegas. As little as $151 gets you roundtrip air and 2 nights in the entertainment capital of the world. Plus, when you book at any of these hotels, you’ll receive a Connection Values coupon book with over $400 in savings. Click To Book Now! (Special note: Because of code-sharing agreements, these special offers may be available in cities not served by America West).


Featured Story:
David Brenner

Our not-so-young-anymore readers will remember David Brenner as the innovative comedian who made a record 158 guest appearances on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. Our “just turned 21” readers are probably going “someone hosted the Tonight Show before Jay Leno?”David Brenner was an inovator in observational comedy (“I read in the news the other day …”) and hasn’t lost his touch. His show should be required viewing for up-and-coming comedians.

Brenner has settled in for a year-long stint at the new Westin Casuarina, taking time off from the road to be with his family (a la Celine Dion) but it hasn’t slowed his work ethic. He combs the newspapers, cable news, reality shows, and just about everything else in news and pop culture assuring that his show has punch, is up-to-date, and doesn’t let up.

I won’t give away the jokes, and I couldn’t because you never see the same show twice. But I will tell you that I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time, literally being brought to tears twice!

This is a chance to see a famous legend still in his prime, and well worth the (very) short trip down Flamingo Road to the Westin Casuarina. (The Westin is closer to Bellagio than The Rio and Palms are, although in the opposite direction from The Strip).

Brenner is not a dirty comic but occasionally uses adult language to punctuate a point. I’d probably suggest 16 and over to view the show. The only people who should avoid it are those clueless about current events. If you don’t live in a cave somewhere, you’ll probably enjoy Brenner.

Click for David Brenner ticket information or Call 800-696-5721 (toll free) to book all hotels, shows, tours, golf, and dining.


Click For Great Las Vegas Hotel Values


Vegas Questions? Post to our message boards and get great advice from people who have been here and done it. And don’t forget our comprehensive Las Vegas Frequently Asked Questions area.

For comments or questions regarding Las Vegas, our content, or this newsletter write us a “letter to the editor” at allvegastv@aol.com. Include your city — we have readers worldwide!

Live From Las Vegas,

Ted Newkirk

CEO
Senior Content Editor
http://www.accessvegas.com

New to the list? Click Here for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

Attention Travel Agents: Tired of fighting the airlines and internet travel eroding your business? Let us help! What if you were guaranteed respectable commissions on not just hotels, but shows, tours, golf, dining and more? Not just in Vegas, but resorts across the US including Hawaii!No starting costs, maintenance fees, or minimums. Oh, and we won’t steal your customers. Our “customer for life” policy guarantees you get paid even if they book direct, time after time. Email us now: allvegastv@aol.com Subject line Travel Agent, include your name and phone number. We’ll get the details right to you.

All contents copyright 2004 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
February 12, 2004 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us