Access Vegas Insider Vibe – February 6, 2008

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Click Above Photo To View Complete Photo Set

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

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

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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


Feature Story:
Bellagio Gardens Chinese New Year Display


Click Above Photo To View Complete Photo Set

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

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

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

Chinese New Year Conservatory Facts:

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

Related Links:

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

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

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


More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events


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

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

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

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

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

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

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

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

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – June 13, 2007

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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

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

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Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online. This newsletter is free!

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


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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Free Photos, Wallpaper, and Streaming Videos

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

Hello From Las Vegas! We stopped by The Frontier (New Frontier, whatever) on Monday just for a final walk-through before they close it later this week. The Frontier never had that special distinction that The Sands or The Stardust had, but certainly a landmark none-the-less.

Treat Dadá To A Concert – Just a reminder that we have great tickets for sports and concert events nationwide, not just here in Las Vegas. Can’t think of that perfect Father’s Day gift? Nothing like tickets to his favorite band or sports team. Check out our huge selection at Tickets.AccessVegas.com

We are happy to answer questions… but: We very much appreciate reader feedback and questions. It helps shape our content and keeps this newsletter the very best it can be. However, a couple of important notes…

  1. Many times, we are asked about something discussed or linked to in a recent newsletter. We put significant hard work into gathering all of the information we send you. Please at least do us the courtesy of looking over the last few issues in our archives before sending in a question. You might be amazed that we already covered the topic (and many others you were interested in).
  2. Almost every week, people ask “When will (insert name of concert or show) tickets be on sale.” We publish as often as we do to get you the most fresh info possible. If we have tickets available, you know right away!Sidebar: A rumor of a pending performer (including but not limited to the perpetual rumor that Michael Jackson is going to have a show here) does NOT mean a show is pending or that tickets are available. Once again… if you are a regular reader, you find out about new shows and tickets as soon as we know!

Las Vegas Still Cigar Friendly – Although the (often flouted) smoking ban has attempted to impact both cigar and cigarette smoking, cigar aficionados and those who just indulge on special occasions still have places to enjoy the “long ashes” of a good cigar. The L.A. Times recent article Las Vegas cigar lounges roll out the welcome mat is a nice primer.

Legally, you can enjoy them outdoors, on the casino floor (including bars on a casino floor) and in nightclubs/lounges that do not serve food. As always, be polite and ask the bartender if cigar smoking is acceptable or simply patronize the places mentioned in the article. Also, a tip of the hat to the nationally syndicated, fine living oriented Cigar Dave Show who has our own gaming expert Victor H. Royer as a guest every year. (Click for audio archives of Victor H. Royer on the Cigar Dave Show).

Enjoy This Issue!



Michael Buble Will Perform Live At The MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, July 14 – The young singing sensation Michael Buble (Tickets) brings his 2007 tour to the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, July 14. In what many believe will be one of the hottest concerts of the year, Buble brings his irrepressible spirit, engaging humor and confident charisma to the concert stage. The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Click to Read The Full Story …

Fantasy Adds Provocative New Dance Numbers – Fantasy, the seductive adult revue at Luxor, recently added several dance numbers to the steamy production. (Fantasy Tickets) The new spellbinding routines captivate audience members as the beautiful cast acts out sensual fantasies nightly. Earlier this month, FANTASY introduced several numbers including a new opening dance routine and an original song entitled “Goin’ to Vegas” written and performed by FANTASY songstress Stephanie Jordan. In 2006, FANTASY introduced “Don’t Stop,” an upbeat number featuring an original song by Cris Judd and Darren Sher. Click to Read The Full Story …

Bernard Hopkins Battles Winky Wright Saturday, July 21 At Mandalay Bay Live On Pay-Per-View – When boxing historians look at the current era of boxing, two names will stand out among the finest of this generation û Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright (Tickets). However, for these fierce competitors, being one of the elite is not enough. On Saturday, July 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center live on HBO Pay-Per-View, Hopkins and Wright will battle one another to claim supremacy. “I’m back and my record speaks for itself,” said Hopkins, the former undisputed middleweight champion whose Ring magazine light heavyweight belt will be on the line in this 170-pound bout. Click to Read The Full Story …

Stoney’s Rockin’ Country – The Newest Place To Round Up – Nightspot To Become Hottest Destination For Country Fans – Stoney’s Rockin’ Country is the latest venue offering foot-stoppin’ good times for the cowboys and cowgirls at heart. Conveniently located on Las Vegas Boulevard, just north of the South Point Hotel and Casino, Stoney’s is the largest one-level nightlife spot in Las Vegas with more than 20,000 square feet dedicated to country fun. Scheduled to open late July, Stoney’s Rockin’ Country will feature weekly live entertainment on the 45-foot by 25-foot main stage using a state-of-the-art Meyers Concert Series sound system to amplify the sounds of local, regional and national talent acts. The elevated 2,500 square foot hardwood dance floor is flanked by two full-service bars, that at 40 feet and 50 feet ensure quick drink service. Other bar highlights include three 44-foot mini bowling lanes and four pool tables. Click to Read The Full Story …

Lance Burton Charity Work: Working With Children Can Be Magical – Nobody was more surprised and pleased then Lance Burton (Tickets) when he was named “MOST GENEROUS LAS VEGAN” by the editors of the 2007 Las Vegas Review-Journal’s 26th ANNUAL BEST OF LAS VEGAS POLL. He was in good company with Andre Agassi chosen by the readers. This was in addition to winning “Best Magician” for seven consecutive times in the coveted poll. The R-J staffers summed it up in a nutshell saying, “No matter how masterful a magician Lance Burton is, he can’t expand time. So the time and talent he contributes may be even more valuable than the financial support he lends to organizations from the Animal Foundation to the Shriner’s Zelzah Temple Transportation Fund, which buys vans equipped with wheelchair lifts to bring disabled children to The Shriner’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Click to Read The Full Story …

Sushi Roku Showcases The Midas Touch with Its Lustrous Cocktail Restaurant Creates Signature Drink For One Day Only, July 7, 2007 – Sushi Roku launches a signature drink, Shichi meaning seven in Japanese, designed for the luckiest day of the century: July 7, 2007. Sushi Roku’s Shichi cocktail is a superstar citrus blend that is sure to strike gold. Named after the seven Japanese gods of good fortune, this drink is assembled with 1 ounce of Hangar One Kaffir Lime vodka and Midori, a 1/2 fresh-squeezed lime, a splash of triple sec and 1 ounce of lemon sour. After the ingredients are mixed in a shaker, the liquid is strained into a martini glass and garnished with a 24K gold leaf-wrapped lime. Click to Read The Full Story …

Alexis Gershwin, Niece Of Composers George And Ira Gershwin, Pays Tribute To Her Uncles’ Timeless Music In “Gershwin Sings Gershwin” At The Suncoast Beginning July 20th Through July 22nd – A beautiful Gershwin will sing beautiful Gershwin music July 20th through July 22nd at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino’s Showroom located at 9090 Alta Drive, Las Vegas with showtime at 7:30 p.m. Alexis Gershwin, niece of famous composers George and Ira Gershwin, will perform the Gershwins’ memorable classics including “Embraceable You”, “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”, “Our Love Is Here To Stay”, and “S’wonderful,” among others. Click to Read The Full Story …

The Second City — Las Vegas Opens All New Revue At The Flamingo – Sin City’s Favorite Improv Comedy Troupe Launches Sixth Season Of Side-Splitting Laughs – The Second City and Jam Theatricals are proud to announce the opening of an all-new revue at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel on Monday, June 11th at 8pm. Under the direction of Jim Carlson, the Las Vegas edition of The Second City (Tickets) features a variety of scenes, songs and improvisation, including bad hypnotists, maniacal helicopter pilots and a rap inspired by the fall of Don Imus. Click to Read The Full Story …

Vegas Photo Set Of The Week: Tao Nightclub Las Vegas Photos – Located in the beautiful Venetian Hotel and Casino, Tao Nightclub (Info and VIP Passes) is a city to itself, an Asian city. This 40,000 square foot monster is a work of art. With tubs filled with naked ladies and rose petals to all the far east decor, to the 40 foot buddah, the partners of the New York Tao has successfully brought the Pacific Rim to the City of Sin. The nightclub is divided into three areas, the main room with the dance floor and the skyboxes, the House room and the Ultra Lounge downstairs.

Gambling Talk: Playing Middle Pairs In Tournaments – Part One – with Victor H. Royer. Middle pairs can be very troubling for a great many players, particularly in poker tournaments. Some of them tend to look very good, and as a result they can very often be misplayed. These are the pairs that are traditionally considered to be middle pairs. All of them are highly vulnerable to overcards, and therefore all of them should be played extremely cautiously. In late positions, you can play pocket 9s as if they were pocket 10s, but other than that any of these medium pears are usually a candidate for the muck. Click to Read Complete Article

Vegas Streaming Video Of The Week: Sunset Strip – “Sunset Strip” is a rockin’ band that fills the room with great sounds and funky beats. Bringing together some of the finest musicians and performers in the industry, “Sunset Strip” proudly presents two of the most talented vocalists to one stage. Lorena Peril and Sina Foley each possess unique styles and amazing vocal strength. Sunset Strip performs in the lounge of the Las Vegas Hilton.

  • Click To View Sunset Strip: Broadband (only)


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photos:

Attached is a photo of the Stratosphere-close up! This was taken from a Maverick Helicopter tour chopper on our way back from the Grand Canyon. The Stratosphere is where we got engaged, so it’s a special place for us. You just got to love Vegas!

Kent Richardson

á

Ted Responds:

We haven’t talked about Maverick Helicopter Tours much lately, so now is a great time to remind everyone that I consider it a “must do” on a Las Vegas vacation. I’ve done almost everything there is to see and do in town, and nothing compares to flying over the Las Vegas Strip in a Maverick Helicopter.

Those who take a Grand Canyon Tour get to fly over The Strip on their return from the Canyon. Maverick also offers stand-alone night flights over The Strip are are nothing short of amazing. (Note to self: I haven’t been up over The Strip in a Maverick chopper lately… arrange to do so).

Maverick isn’t a discount company. They are professional, top-notch, newest and most comfortable equipment, and no accidents or incidents. Also, their terminal is just south of Mandalay Bay so you spend more time enjoying your vacation and less time in transit. Click for Maverick Helicopter Information.

More Stratosphere Tower Las Vegas Photos

Here is my photo taken from my room at the Excalibur. Let’s call this one “Sunrise on the Strip”.Thomos Grossá

More Las Vegas Strip Photos

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


Dear Ted:We recently returned home from our umpteenth visit to beautiful Las Vegas over the last ten years, and I would like to make a comment about the so-called Californication of Las Vegas.One of the best things about your town, and Nevada in general, is its permissive, tolerant attitude. Now, we noticed, since the last time we were in Las Vegas in December, that suddenly there is no smoking in restaurants and also rest rooms, in most of the casino properties. This is simply stupid. There was never a big problem of people smoking in restaurants anyway, and smoking in rest rooms may have made it harder to keep the rest rooms clean, but now the people who maintain rest rooms just get smaller tips. Is this good for your economy?

For your info – I am a 53 year old pipe/cigar smoker who would never think of lighting up in a restaurant, since I wouldn’t want to offend anybody, because I am a polite person.

What we all need is a return to common courtesy, not legislating the Wild West out of Las Vegas. If they ever ban smoking in the casinos, we wouldn’t want to come visit anymore. Gamblers smoke – LIVE WITH IT!

Sincerely,

Kevin Cardiff
Baltimore, MD

Ted Responds:

I am someone who enjoys a cigar from time-to-time (only where appropriate), and we followed this issue in a huge way in our newsletter last year and earlier this year.

If you scroll down to the “More News” area with news links in our newsletter, we continue to stay on top of it. Rebellion and lawsuits are rampant, and certain businesses (and people) are thumbing their nose at this law that barely passed with 54% of the vote.

Even though your visit is done, I encourage you to stay subscribed to our newsletter as we will continue to feature news links regarding this in the second half of our newsletter. Also, please do consider telling friends and family about our newsletter if they have any interest in Las Vegas. Sign-up is at no cost at AccessVegas.com.


Have a Vegas comment or question? Post To Our Message Boards!We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

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

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

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

  • Fathers Day June 17
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday (Canada) August 6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day September 1-3 (3 day weekend)
  • Columbus Day (USA), Thanksgiving Day (Canada) October 6-8 (3 day weekend)
  • Christmas December 25 (4 day weekend – Christmas on Tuesday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (4 day weekend – New Years on Tuesday)

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

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

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



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

All contents copyright 2007 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

June 13, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – April 11, 2007

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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


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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Free Photos, Wallpaper, and Streaming Videos

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

Hello From Las Vegas! From a cloudy, windy, and rainy Las Vegas. April is notoriously windy here, but rain is rare.

I Goofed – last week and we ran a couple of unfinished, un-edited, not-yet spell checked sections. For the record, this is the proper link to the Bellagio Botanical Gardens 2007 Chinese New Year Display.

Meet Your Favorite Vegas Celebs – Ben & Jerry’s at the Galleria Mall will be serving free ice cream cones to benefit the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum April 17, 2007. Local celebrities that will be at Ben & Jerry’s at the Galleria Mall include Mark and Mercedes from Mix 94.1, Norm Clarke from the Review Journal, Amazing Jonathan and Penny, Mosaic and The Scintas. I can state from personal experience that those donating their time are some of the nicest, most approachable people in town. Full details and directions here.

The Police Tour Tickets – Just a reminder that we have great tickets available not only for their June 15, 2007 show here in Las Vegas, but for their shows around the country! The Police Reunion Tour Tickets

Mac King At White House – Huge congratulations to Harrah’s headlining comedian magician (and all around good-guy) Mac King who performed at the Annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn on April 9, 2007. Mac has one of the few Las Vegas shows that almost all ages (perhaps 10 and up) will enjoy. We are wondering what the Secret Service thought of fig newtons and goldfish…

Prince Is Outta Here… Almost – Prince finishes performing here in Las Vegas at the end of this month (April 2007). We do still have a few tickets left. They aren’t cheap, but this is seriously a last chance deal. If you are in town this month and want to catch the end of this historical run, check out our Prince at Rio Las Vegas Tickets.

Enjoy This Issue!



Sushi Roku Japanese at
The Forum Shops (Caesars) Review

By Zabrina Rodriguez-Rapozo

Dimly it, bamboo trees and sexy black accents. Sushi Roku is everything you would expect of a hip and swanky strip restaurant. With black booths backed up to a magnificent view of Las Vegas Blvd twinkling below, this place is as elegant as it is earthy.

Our server suggested the Rock Shrimp which arrived piping hot and coated in a delicious semi sweet citrusy sauce. Wow! This is probably one of the best appetizers I have ever had. The tempura batter stayed crisp and light and the sauce that clung to the tender shrimp was both addictive and satisfying. Click to Read The Full Review …

Tim McGraw And Faith Hill Bring Their “Soul2Soul Tour 2007” To The MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, August 4; Jeep Signs On As The Tour’s Presenting Sponsor – Selected as Pollstar Magazine’s “Major Tour of 2006” ahead of industry powerhouses such as Madonna and The Rolling Stones, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (Tickets) bring their Soul2Soul Tour back to Las Vegas Saturday, Aug. 4. Due to overwhelming demand from fans who didn’t get a chance to witness history in the making, and for fans hungry to be a part of the experience yet again, the duo will perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with the concert scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Click to Read The Full Story …

Stomp Out Loud Lands In Las Vegas At Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino – New Production From The Creators Of The International Sensation Stomp – STOMP OUT LOUD (Tickets), the extraordinary new production from the creators of the international sensation STOMP, comes to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas this spring with a cast double the size of the original production and performed inside a new, $28 million theater specifically created for this production. Directed and created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, STOMP OUT LOUD began performances on March 24, 2007 with a grand opening slated for early April. Click to Read The Full Story …

Rita Rudner Extends Her Stay At Harrah’s For Three More Years – The Acclaimed Comedian Will Continue As The Strip Resort’s Headliner Until 2010 – Rita Rudner (Tickets), the accomplished actress, screenwriter, best-selling author and comedian, has announced an agreement in principle to extend her stay as headliner at Harrah’s Las Vegas until January 2010. “I love working here,” said Rudner. “I love all the people at Harrah’s, the theater is beautiful and the audiences have been fantastic. When they say I’ve been extended, does that mean I’m taller?” Click to Read The Full Story …

International Singing Sensation Martin Nievera Scheduled To Serenade Audiences At The New Steve Wyrick Entertainment Complex – World-class pop music performer Martin Nievera (Tickets) is proud to announce the opening of his show Martin Live performing daily, beginning February 14, inside the new Steve Wyrick Entertainment Complex in Desert Passage at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Martin Live is a show for children and adults. Nievera’s performance includes songs ranging from Broadway to Buble and a number of his own hits, all backed by an 11-piece band. Nievera also pays tribute to Las Vegas’ most famed crooners including Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and more. Click to Read The Full Story …

Bon Jovi And Tiger Woods Reunite In Las Vegas To Celebrate 10 Years Of Tiger Jam – Rock Superstars Bon Jovi To Join Golf Legend Tiger Woods At Tiger Jam X – Two powerhouses, Tiger Woods and Bon Jovi, will reunite for the 10th annual Tiger Jam (Tickets), presented by AT&T Saturday, May 26 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Marking 10 years of unforgettable concerts, Tiger Jam X will be a fitting tribute to the estimated 10 million young people Tiger Jam has helped by raising funds for the Tiger Woods Foundation. A decade in the making, this celebration will begin with exclusive live and silent auctions and a gourmet dinner. Following the dinner and auctions, Woods will welcome Bon Jovi to the Mandalay Bay Events Center stage for what promises to be an amazing show. Click to Read The Full Story …

Dr. Buzz Aldrin Leads Ceremony For Historic First Walk At Grand Canyon Skywalk – Apollo 11 Astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin, known for making historic first steps on the moon, lead the “First Walk” on the Grand Canyon Skywalk on Tuesday, March 20. During the private ceremony, Aldrin made history again by taking the first steps onto the U-shaped glass walkway suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. Members of the Hualapai tribe lead by Chairman Vaughn and Native American Astronaut John Herrington will walk simultaneously from the opposite side of The Skywalk and join Aldrin in the center for a momentous event as the Hualapai nation unveils the vision of their future.á Click to Read The Full Story …

Dean Mauro Plays Tony From Long Island At ‘Sopranos;’ – After 15 Years In Las Vegas Thespian Joins ‘Most Fun Dinner Theatre Experience In Las Vegas’ – Where else would you find the perfect Tony Soprano actor but in “The Sopranos Last Supper” (Tickets) at The Empire Ballroom on The Las Vegas Strip. His name is Dean Mauro and his uncanny resemblance to James Gandolfini is remarkable take away an unhealthy weight problem. He said, “I grew up in Long Island until I was age 14 and we moved around a bit. I lived in Los Angeles and then Texas and now I’m in Las Vegas. I’ve only been here less than two years to do a film called `The Casino Job.’ I want to live in Las Vegas for now.” Click to Read The Full Story …

The Wings of Freedom Tour of the WWII Vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator, and North American B-25 – The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour Brings Extremely Rare Bomber Aircraft for Local Living History Display as Part of 130-city Nationwide Tour Participating in the Collings Foundation’s WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” WWII Heavy Bomber, Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” WWII Heavy Bomber, and the North American B-25 Mitchell WWII Medium Bomber, will fly into North Las Vegas Airport in Las Vegas, NV for a visit from April 18 to April 20. Local citizens will have the opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history. Click to Read The Full Story …

Manilow Fund Helping Las Vegas – The Manilow Fund for Health and Hope will be a presenting sponsor of the 2007 AIDS Walk Las Vegas, an annual fundraiser for AFAN (Aid for AIDS of Nevada). The Walk will be held in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15. All the money raised will go directly to educational outreach, housing assistance, transportation, the Lisa B Grocery Center, and other AFAN services and programs. Barry Manilow headlines with Manilow: Music and Passion (Tickets) at the Las Vegas Hilton through 2008.

Vegas Photo Set Of The Week: Jubilee! at Bally’s – There’s A-1 tune-crooning, million-dollar sets, and the most glitter this side of Hollywood with costumes by Bob Mackie. Jubilee! is one of the longest running extravaganzas in Las Vegas. It continues to rate as one of Las Vegas’ finest production shows. With incredible sets, costumes, and special effects, Jubilee! is a must-see attraction for any Las Vegas visitor.

Gambling Talk: with Victor H. Royer will resume next issue. In the meantime, please enjoy the Victor H. Royer Casino Gambling Archived Articles.



Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photo – Kathy Glover submitted this great photo of Bellagio Conservatory:

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


Hi Ted!Love the newsletter, my boyfriend and I went to Vegas for the first time last year and we absolutely loved it! We’re going back again in May for his birthday and we have a feeling it’s going to be a yearly event for us =).

We’re from Massachusetts, and as you may or may not know, we on the east coast live by the slogan “America Runs on Dunkin” (Dunkin Donuts, that is). So you can imagine our shock when we couldn’t find any out in Vegas. We were wondering if there are any plans to put a Dunkin Donuts anywhere on/near the Strip anytime soon, as that was my boyfriend’s one (and only) complaint about our trip.

I’m sure all of us East-Coasters would be thrilled with the addition of one in Vegas…and it offers a cheaper, and just as delicious (if not more!) alternative to Starbucks when searching for your caffeine shot. Thanks and keep up the good work!

Kristen

Ted Responds:

I checked a couple of different sources and found no Dunkin’ Donuts here in Las Vegas. Believe it or not, Krispy Kreme (which is struggling in many parts of the country) continues to do amazingly well here, with locations in Excalibur, Venetian, and Circus Circus on The Strip.

I do understand how Dunkin’ Donuts is revered in other parts of the country, and with a large contingent of east coast visitors and transplants, I agree it seems strange that we have no locations here. We know a number of hotel management types read our newsletter. Consider your request delivered!


My wife is very upset with the new anti-smoking laws in Nevada and swears she will not go back to Vegas because of them.Is anyone fighting for smokers rights out there? If smokers stop coming there will be a drop in revenue – maybe Nevada will have to impose a State income tax like everybody else? Sorry to complain but I am a non-smoker but I don’t mind people smoking around me. And I LOVE VEGAS!

Thurman R. Reed Jr.

Ted Responds:

We have continued to post links regarding the latest news in our “More News” section in the second half of each newsletter, but I will summarize where things are at this point:

Our local police department (Metro) is not charged with enforcing the ban. With our fast-growing population, they have more important things to do. The task has fallen to the County Health Department which doesn’t have the funds or manpower to enforce it. Many bars and other similar establishments have posted “no smoking” signs but basically turn a blind eye to smokers. Basically, a white flag has been raised regarding enforcement until 2009 when various legal entities will revisit the issue.

What does this mean to our visitors?

Click to read the rest of my response in our forums (too detailed to fit in the newsletter) and feel free to post your own thoughts as well!


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

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

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

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


More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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

  • 2007

  • Victoria Day (Canada) May 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 26-28 (3 day weekend)
  • Mothers Day May 13
  • Fathers Day June 17
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday (Canada) August 6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day September 1-3 (3 day weekend)
  • Columbus Day (USA), Thanksgiving Day (Canada) October 6-8 (3 day weekend)
  • Christmas December 25 (4 day weekend – Christmas on Tuesday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (4 day weekend – New Years on Tuesday)

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

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

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



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

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

All contents copyright 2007 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

April 11, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – November 08, 2006

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

Need to contact us? Send feedback to AllVegasTV@aol.com

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

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


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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Free Photos, Wallpaper, and Streaming Videos

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

Hello From Las Vegas! We had a short absence between newsletters. Every time we push the two week mark, many of you write and wonder if you missed one. We appreciate your loyalty, and if you read the October 25, 2006 edition, you have missed nothing since. New reader or not sure? Click on the above link to enjoy our previous issue.

Last week was a scheduled week off (from publishing). We went and paid homage to the Stardust and scouted some of the huge new construction at Venetian, Wynn and CityCenter. We’ll have updates over the next few weeks.

This week we delayed publishing 1. To not compete with the national elections which had many people riveted and talking and 2. We wanted to bring you as much information as possible to what happened in Nevada that may or may not affect you as a visitor and Las Vegas tourism in general.

Regular readers know that we are not a political publication. Hence, I am going to refrain from any commentary. Below you will find links to the major stories about the various issues related to Las Vegas and Nevada. Not into politics or just don’t care? Scroll on… this newsletter is jammed with the latest Las Vegas information you need to know!

I have been continuing to predict the following for quite some time: With all of the upscale new hotels and condo-tels, a couple of Las Vegas Strip properties are renewing their commitment to focus on the more moderate budget traveler:

Although the Tropicana is going to build a bunch of new towers and give the old casino and towers a big-time makeover, they won’t be attempting to compete with Wynn Las Vegas or Venetian. And after a year (or more) of The Riviera’s attempted sale, rumors of a sale, and plenty of speculation, they are digging in their heals to really remind people that they are an affordable option on The Strip.

The weather has been stunning, pushing 80 F and sunny on a regular basis. I’ll be spending the weekend by the pool. With major winter-type storms hitting the Midwest and flooding rain in my native Pacific Northwest, it is a great time to sneak away to Las Vegas!

Don’t miss our special section with links to stories about the closing of the Stardust at the end of the newsletter. Truly the end of an era.

Enjoy This Issue!



Review: Second City Las Vegas

by Nancy Dickinson

When life’s clutches seem to squeeze the soul for it’s last drop of vitality, it’s definitely time for a change of scenery- a reminder to make fun of it all and not take ourselves too seriously- a trip to experience Second City. This relatively scriptless, improvisational comedy show tucked secretly in a comfy showroom inside the Flamingo, packs a unique comic punch of which it’s knuckles don’t fail to graze anything- young, old, straight, gay, and grotesquely yet beautifully human. The final product is a show that literally puts all the fun back into mankind, dissecting the human condition relentlessly while exploiting everything at a satirical level off the charts. Click to Read Complete Review

Prince Opens 3121 Club And 3121 Jazz Cuisine Inside The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino – 3121 — Live entertainment venue and club schedule. Wednesday nights may feature special guest performances by friends of Prince and special guests. Fridays and Saturdays: Live performance by world-renowned artist Prince. Click to Read The Full Story …

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary Event with $2 Food & Drink Specials on November 15 – RA Sushi Bar Restaurant located at the Fashion Show Mall is celebrating two years in Las Vegas. In celebration on Wednesday, November 15, RA Sushi will be offering $2 food and drink specials to all those who arrive dressed in RA’s signature colors – red and black. The following items will be available from 8 p.m. until close for only $2: California Rolls, Tootsy Maki, Pineapple Cheese Wontons, Chicken Yakitori, Barrosa Chardonnay, Screwdrivers, Kamikaze shots and Bud or Bud Light beer. Click to Read The Full Story …

Luxor Resort And Casino To Be Home To Third Season Of “Criss Angel Mindfreak” On A&E Network – Filming To Begin Monday, November 6, 2006Luxor Resort and Casino will be the home for the third season of A&E Network’s “Criss Angel MINDFREAK.” The critically acclaimed show will air on A&E Network beginning in the Spring of 2007. In its first two seasons, “Criss Angel MINDFREAK” garnered critical acclaim, delivering the biggest ratings numbers in A&E Network’s history. In each episode Criss Angel demonstrates his visionary approach to the art of magic that escapes the confines of tradition and gives birth to a new breed of modern mysticism. The third season of the show will feature Criss performing demonstrations and illusions in and around the numerous attractions and features of the Luxor Resort and Casino as well as various locations at other MGM MIRAGE properties. Click to Read The Full Story …

Bellagio, Picasso And Le Cirque Receive 2007 AAA Five Diamond Award – Bellagio Continues To Shine As Only Hotel In The Country With Two Five Diamond Restaurants – For the sixth consecutive year, Bellagio has received AAA’s prestigious Five Diamond Award as did Julian Serrano’s renowned restaurant, Picasso. Additionally, Le Cirque received the distinction for the fourth consecutive year, making Bellagio once again the only hotel in the United States to be home to two AAA Five Diamond restaurants. “These AAA distinctions are a tremendous honor and recognize the commitment each of our employees makes every day,” said William P. McBeath, president and COO of Bellagio. “We consistently strive to maintain the highest level of quality for our guests. Recognitions such as AAA’s tell us that we are succeeding in that area.” Click to Read The Full Story …

Magic And Comedy Collide In Comedy Central’s Latest One-Hour Stand-Up Special “The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong On Every Level” Debuting Saturday, November 18 At 10:00 p.m. – COMEDY CENTRAL viewers, step right up! The Amazing Johnathan works all-new comedy magic in the World Premiere of COMEDY CENTRAL’s one-hour special “The Amazing Johnathan: Wrong on Every Level,” debuting on COMEDY CENTRAL Saturday, November 18 at 10:00 p.m. (Eastern, check local listings). From “Pick a card, Any card” to swallowing razor blades like they’re candy, audience participants join The Amazing Johnathan and his delightfully ditzy assistant, Psychic Tanya, in performing illusions — even though some of the tricks may not turn out as planned. It’s an all-new hour of can’t-believe-your-eyes comedy with surprises around every corner! Click to Read The Full Story …

Phat Chance You Won’t Enjoy Phat Strad – Imagine sipping champagne in Tempo, the Las Vegas HiltonÆs high-energy lounge, and beautiful women playing strings walk by your table. This is not a dream. This is Phat Strad, a unique international group of classically trained women who perform rock music arranged for a string quartet, playing futuristic electronic instruments, with an industrial strength techno drum groove. Definitely unique. Hours: Wednesdays-Saturdays, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

MGM Grand Shines Among The Best – Skylofts At MGM Grand And Joel Robuchon Earn Prestigious 2007 AAA Five Diamond Award – AAA has awarded SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand and Joel Robuchon with the highly coveted Five Diamond Award, an accolade that recognizes these establishments among the most elite hotels and restaurants in the world. “The AAA Five Diamond Award is among the highest compliments a hotel or restaurant can receive,” said MGM Grand President & COO Gamal Aziz. “For SKYLOFTS and Joel Robuchon to earn this distinction reflects MGM Grand’s commitment to delivering superior products and experiences to our guests.” Click to Read The Full Story …

Second Annual World Salsa Championships to be Held in Las Vegas – The Salsa Seven Inc., the company responsible for the World Salsa Championships, announces the 2nd annual World Salsa Championships December 13-16 in Las Vegas at the new South Point Hotel, formerly known as the South Coast Hotel & Casino. Salsa dancing has taken off as an international phenomenon as competitors from more than 20 countries on six continents are set to compete in the 2nd annual World Salsa Championships. Click to Read The Full Story …

Look Out Times Square, Las Vegas Counts Down New Year’s Eve With The Nation When DIRECTV’s CD USA Broadcasts America’s Party Live From Fremont Street – Move over Times Square! Las Vegas is the new place for New Year’s Eve as DIRECTV’s exclusive live music performance show, CD USA takes over the famous Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas during America’s Party for its live, nationally televised celebration featuring today’s hottest music artists and special celebrity guests. This explosive, four-hour plus celebration will air exclusively on DIRECTV’s channel 101 starting at 11 p.m. ET (8 p.m. PT) with a lineup that includes live performances from chart toppers Five for Fighting, All-American Rejects, Rockstar:SuperNova, Smash Mouth, OK Go and Chicago. Each year, hundreds of thousands of tourists and locals alike gather in Las Vegas for the world-renowned New Year’s Eve celebration known as America’s Party. Click to Read The Full Story …

Las Vegas Entertainers Society of Seven with Lani Misalucha To Light Ethel M’s Chocolate Wonderland on November 15: – Renowned performers Society of Seven featuring singer Lani Misalucha, will serve as the special guest hosts for the Ethel M Chocolates’ 13th Annual Holiday Cactus Lighting.

The spectacular holiday light show will be free for public viewing from November 16, 2006 through to January 1, 2007. During the five-week-long “Chocolate Wonderland,” held at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson, families can stroll down the illuminated cacti pathways of the Botanical Cactus Garden and experience the sights, smells and sounds of chocolate from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., seven days of week.

Over The Barrel (Tasting) – Beaujolais Nouveau will be making its journey from the Beaujolais area, located in the Southern part of France, to all parts of the world, with more than a million cases moving on the third Thursday of November. More than 65 million bottles will be distributed and drunk around the world. It has become a worldwide race to be the first to serve this wine of the harvest. It has been carried by motorcycle, balloon, truck, helicopter, jet and elephant. Fortuna, a coffee and wine experience at the Las Vegas Hilton, is barreling forward with a new tasting of this wine on Thursday, November 16 at 6 p.m.

Kellie Karl Plays Tony’s Psychiatrist In ‘The Sopranos Last Supper’ – New Orleans’ Southern Belle Sings, Dances, Acts And Even Impersonated Stevie Nicks – Kellie Karl may be one of the most versatile entertainers on the Las Vegas Strip and presently can be seen nightly in “The Sopranos Last Supper” at the Harmon Theater at the Aladdin’s Desert Passage. She said, “I play Tony’s psychiatrist in the musical at the Harmon Theater. I’m from New Orleans, the city that used to be and is no longer. My entire family is from there and came here during the storm. Her house survived but my other relatives lost everything. My mother could not wait to get back home.” Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: Poker By The ATC Method – with Victor H. Royer. I have been witness to poker plays which defy all logic, mathematics, reason or sense. Was it sheer bravado, or just pure luck? Was it really good play? How is it that many players can play with such aggressive abandon and win, and win, and win? Throughout the year I have thought about this. I have played in games and saw with my own eyes how players employ this way of playing and I was astounded by the frequency of their wins. I have tried this myself, and even with me it worked – some of the time. I surely am not an expert at this type of play. At least not yet. Click to Read Complete Article

Vegas Photo Set Of The Week: Chippendales Las Vegas – Sinful schoolboy charm. Naughty fantasy colliding with the boy next door. This is the winning combination that has solidified Chippendales Las Vegas as the premier brand in women’s entertainment. This is the sexual recipe that has turned this internationally known brand into a household name across the globe. This is the Ultimate Girls Night Out. Chippendales, The Show recently opened the doors to it’s custom designed home at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino. 21,000 square feet designed by women for the pleasure of women, this new night spot is a veritable oasis in the desert.

Vegas Streaming Video Of The Week – New Years Eve 1996 Hacienda Hotel Implosion In 1996, The Hacienda Hotel was imploded live on the Fox Network for their nationally televised New Year’s Eve special from Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay now sits on that property.

  • Click To View New Years Eve 1996 Hacienda Hotel Implosion: Broadband (only)

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!

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Readers Write:

I know the Stardust is closing > might you know if and when they are going to implode the hotel. Do you know if they have set a date for the implosion ? I would love to see it !

PS > Any tips on where the loosest 25 & 50 cent slots are located in Vegas.

Andrew Colton


Ted Responds
:

Andrew,

Although rumored for a New Year’s Eve implosion, the latest word is of an early spring implosion, using it for a grand kickoff to the construction of replacement Project Echelon Place. A New Year’s Eve implosion certainly would have been nice. However, the extra expenseá (crowd control and security) would have to be offset by a TV deal to broadcast it live on a network TV New Year’s Eve special. One can’t yet rule it out.

This is not without precedent: In the late 90’s, The Hacienda was imploded on New Year’s Eve to make way for Mandalay Bay, broadcast nationwide as part of Fox’s New Year’s TV special. We have that video for you in our streaming video section earlier in the newsletter.

Generally speaking, the loosest slots are in the “local’s” casinos around the Las Vegas Valley (you can’t clean the locals out as quickly, or they won’t keep coming back). Tightest are on The Strip, and downtown falls in between the two (according to regular state gaming reports which do not chart specific casinos). And generally speaking, the nicer the place, the tighter the slots. Those nice surroundings cost more to maintain!

Having said that, anyone can have good or bad luck in the few days of a visit. Play where you feel or seem lucky. Trust me, if I knew exactly where the hottest slots were, I’d be down playing them.

One last note: Sometimes slot attendants (what few that are left) or bartenders will point out “hot machines.” Bull. If they actually knew which machines were ready to pay, don’t you think they would be calling their friends, mate, or anyone else they knew to get in and play the thing? They only do that because if you actually do hit, you’ll feel obligated to give them a bigger tip.

Live From Las Vegas,

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, and use some of them on our Radio.AccessVegas.com Streaming Broadcast! (Don’t worry … we never broadcast your personal information. All calls used are edited to insure caller privacy).
  • Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!

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

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

The Closing of the Stardust Stories

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:

  • Thanksgiving November 23-26 (4 day weekend)
  • Christmas December 22-25 (3 day weekend – Christmas on Monday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (3 day weekend – New Years on Monday)

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!

Sign-up now to receive your Free collection of Rachel Ray cookbooks. This and other Great Free Stuff, Bargains, and More on our AccessVegas.com Advertiser Deals page. Click there now!



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 2006 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

November 8, 2006 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – October 25, 2006

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

Need to contact us? Send feedback to AllVegasTV@aol.com

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

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


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

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Free Photos, Wallpaper, and Streaming Videos
Free Online Games!

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Happy Birthday to me, celebrating my 41’s wild ride around the sun from the real sunshine state of Nevada. Spending it with you as we have an unusually large amount of late-breaking and important Las Vegas information you need to know!

Did you know that Halloween is a State Holiday here in Nevada? No, it’s not to honor “Sin City” as one would think. October 31 is Statehood Day, and schools and state government have the day off. It is also a great night to be out on the Las Vegas strip as many visitors are on costume, and many of the nightspots are doing special events.

Apologies to those who had a hard time getting through to our message boards to read or post comments about the possible Nevada smoking ban. Our ancient software and servers are struggling under the weight of our explosive growth, and we are putting in an entire new system to handle it at the end of the year. You can get through now, but some pages on our site might take a few seconds to load for the next couple of months. Thanks in advance for your patience.

To those who missed the comments (or haven’t heard about the story), here are the links:

The monorail continues to tank. Originally, it was blamed on the rough start (mechanical problems that kept it shut down for weeks at a time), but now they have to face the music: The high price, non-service to the airport, and inconvenient route make it unattractive to most.

Many ask if a bus route serves The Strip from the airport. Yes and no. There is no one-bus service (and there should be). You can grab a bus at the airport (Route 108) south from the Airport for a five minute ride to a transit station, where you can catch The Deuce double decker buses that run The Strip.

However, your time is valuable when you factor in what you spent on air and hotel just to get here. If cost is an issue, catch one of the shuttle services for about $5.00 a person. Shuttle info and stops are well marked in the baggage area at the airport.

Enjoy This Issue!



Sting Debuts in ‘Legends’ at Imperial Palace – Tribute Artist from German ‘Stars in Concert’ – German native Andreas Krumkuhler makes his U.S. debut as legendary rocker Sting in “Legends in Concert” at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino. The Berliner will perform a medley of “Message in a Bottle,” and “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da” plus “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,” “Every Breath You Take,” “Desert Rose” and “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free.” Click to Read The Full Story …Las Vegas Getting a new Water Park–Becoming Family Friendly? Las Vegas Wet, LLC has plans to build the largest indoor water park in North America right here in Las Vegas. In this water park the company plans to include an indoor snow park called the Snow Dome. A determined park attendee could “snow ski” in the morning and “surf” in the afternoon. Click to Read The Full Story

It’s ‘Scary-Okee’ at Imperial Palace Karaoke – Third Annual Halloween Party for Guys and Ghouls – It’s time to sing “Love Potion Number Nine.” And if you’re a gypsy with a gold-capped tooth, the place to sing the fright night favorite is the Karaoke Club at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino. Click to Read The Full Story …

Harrah’s looks at bridge, expansion at Paris-Las Vegas – Although it is officially noncommittal on its plans for the Four Corners area — pending a much-anticipated master plan — Harrah’s Entertainment has mapped out substantial changes for Paris-Las Vegas. If realized, these would entail a significant rerouting of pedestrian traffic in front of the Parisian-themed resort. Click to Read The Full Story …

Reinventing The Wheel – People love “Wheel of Fortune,” the TV show and the video slot machines. How about “Wheel of Fortune” on steroids?” The Las Vegas Hilton is looking to October 30 as the date when it introduces Wheel of Fortune — Super Spin Video Slot Machines. Nine machines are centered around a super spin wheel that features custom wide seats at each machine for a player and a friend (love seats?). The entire machine is more than 15 feet in diameter and will be located at the foot of the new steps into SpaceQuest across from the Manilow Store.

Third Annual Las Vegas Parade of Homes Opens To Public – 2006 Home Tour Highlights Unique Builders, Designers And Architecture In Luxury Living – The third annual Las Vegas Parade of Homes highlighting never-seen-before, unique and diverse multimillion dollar houses throughout the Valley takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Friday, October 20 and continuing every weekend through Sunday, November 5. This installment of the Parade of Homes features 10 spectacular examples of luxury living for the public to tour in some of the most exclusive communities in the area. Click to Read The Full Story …

$15 Billion Purchase of Harrah’s faces Challenges – On October 2, 2006 two hedge funds, Apollo Management and Texas Pacific, together made an unsolicited, all-cash offer to buy Harrah’s Entertainment, the world’s largest casino company, for $15.05 billion or $81 per share, which was a 22% premium above its price of $66 a share on that Monday. Click to Read The Full Story …

Rob ‘Rocco’ Marrocco Plays Christopher In ‘The Sopranos Last Supper’: Bostonian Performs In Las Vegas’ No. 1 Dinner Show At The New Harmon Theater In KRAVE – Rob “Rocco” Morrocco is now playing Christopher in “The Sopranos Last Supper” at the new Harmon Theater in KRAVE at Desert Passage at The Aladdin. Tony’s nephew has some big shoes to fill but this Boston native does it with ease. He talks about his life outside of show business. Click to Read The Full Story …

Sushi Is Sushi, But Then There’s Monkfish – Leave it to Chef Shuichi Tsukada of Teru Sushi at the Las Vegas Hilton to offer monkfish at the popular sushi bar. Monkfish, always in demand in Europe and Asia, has become popular in the United States over the last several years. The tail is composed of firm, white flesh that holds up extremely well while being cooked and has a mild flavor. The livers are in high demand in Japan.

Should Nevada Legalize Marijuana? – The TV ads and billboards have a lot of people talking about legalizing marijuana, but advocates on both sides say you’re not getting all the facts. They’re very different arguments, but they both agreed on one thing, that people should not drive under the influence, and people that do should be punished severely. Click to Read The Full Story …

Sirens Of TI Hot As Ever With New Winter Hours – Celebrating three years as TIÆs sauciest vixens, The Sirens of TI will heat up Sirens Cove with new winter hours. (Please note that the show will be closed November 27 through December 20 for maintenance). From daring swordplay to high-diving acrobatics and eye-popping pyrotechnics, the Sirens of TI is packed with countless thrills. The music, dance, excitement and seduction in this modern musical-meets-action-movie spectacular captivate viewers nightly. The Sirens of TI can be seen at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino nightly at 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Click to view Sirens of TI Photo Gallery

Barbra’s Newsy “F” Bomb Attracts Business To The Riviera – “When Barbara Streisand laid the ‘F’ word on a heckler in her concert at Madison Square Garden recently, little did I realize she’d be helping the act,” crowed Sharon Owens, who portrays the famous singer in Barbra & Frank, The Concert That Never Was! currently playing to SRO houses at the world-famous Riviera Hotel and Casino. “Everyone knows how Barbra feels about President Bush, so when a Bush impersonator bantered on stage as part of the show and began a parody duet with Barbra, the audience felt uneasy. The comment made national news.” Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: Video Slots – Marilyn Monroe – with Victor H. Royer. As the song says: “I wish I could’ve know you, but I was just a kid, your candle burned out long ago, your legend never did.” I’m not ashamed to say it, I was in love with Marilyn Monroe. Probably just like most boys and men the world over. I was eight years old when she died, and I only began to appreciate who she was much later in life, when I grew up and started to watch these great old films. Click to Read Complete Article

Vegas Photo Set Of The Week: Rio Las Vegas – The Rio stands in a class by itself. The beautiful hotel-casino offers the extravagance of suite living, the excitement of first-class shows and lounges, the action of non-stop gaming, and the luxuries of the world’s top resorts. The Rio is one of Las Vegas’ hottest entertainment destinations, where you can find comedy, celebrity entertainment, afternoon amusement, and interactive theater…all in one great location just minutes from the Strip!

Vegas Streaming Video Of The Week – New Years Eve Fireworks 2003-2004. Missed being in Las Vegas this past New Year’s Eve? Every year, Las Vegas puts on a fireworks show like no other, all up and down every mile of the Las Vegas Strip! New Years Eve rooms are filling up fast, and the price rises day after day even with months to go. Visit our discount room partner Las Vegas Hotel Dealsand book now for this year!

  • Click To View New Years Eve Fireworks 2003-2004: Broadband (only)


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Readers Write:

Hi, Just returned from Vegas and want to say a big thank you I booked shows tickets and a limo through your site and I was thrilled with both so was my son who was celebrating his 21st birthday.
Madeline Alvey

Hi Ted,

As you probably have heard before, love your radio broadcast. Just one thing, just received your latest e-mail, but your broadcast is an old one for the 26 July How often do you update these?

Thanks again for the great work.

Manny Jung from Downunder


Ted Responds
:

á

Always happy to hear that we help our readers have a great time while in Las Vegas, especially for celebrating big birthdays and other fun life events! One of the best “bangs for the buck” is to rent a limo, either for your ride from the airport to your hotel, or to live it riding all up and down The Strip seeing the sights. Probably the best splurge in town!

I kind of jumped the gun by starting them this year at a time when we are expanding our core product.

The plan is to re-launch it later this year as a shorter weekly program. Outside of listing it in iTunes, we have done absolutely no promotion for the show and still consider it in beta stages.

We do appreciate all the great feedback from listeners, and I’m looking forward to bringing it back at full strength after the first of the year!

Live From Las Vegas,

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More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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

  • Halloween October 31
  • Veterans Day November 10-12 (3 day weekend – Friday off)
  • Thanksgiving November 23-26 (4 day weekend)
  • Christmas December 22-25 (3 day weekend – Christmas on Monday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (3 day weekend – New Years on Monday)

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http://www.accessvegas.com/xml/whats-hot.xml

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

The X Girls from X Girls The Show Sent Our Readers This Halloween Tribute Photo!


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!

For comprehensive regular updates of Las Vegas news concerning visitors, events, entertainment, hotels, gambling, real estate, and tourism, please visit our Las Vegas News Update Site and enter your email address there to subscribe and stay informed!Vegas Comments and 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.

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All contents copyright 2006 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

October 25, 2006 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us

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