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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!

• Nevadans Vote For Increased Restrictions on Smoking

• 4 & 5: Voters blow through smoke – More restrictive of two initiatives passes, paving way for smoke-free restaurants, bars

• Las Vegas Tavern Owners Concerned Over Smoking Ban

• Nevada Voters Pass Anti-Smoking Ban

• Business owners ponder ban on smoking

• Nevada voters reject marijuana measure

• Voters Want Strip Club Limits In North Las Vegas

• Nevada bucks national wave, sends Republicans to Washington

• Harry Reid, New Senate Majority Leader : Proponent of Gambling

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:

• Riviera shifts tactics, aims for customers

• New ‘Tropicana’ owners planning $2 billion makeover

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, 2006 – Luxor 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.

• Click To Read Full Details and Garden Viewing Holiday Info

• Ethel M’s Chocolate Wonderland Las Vegas Computer Wallpaper (larger version of photo above, click to view)

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.

• Chippendales Las Vegas Photos

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)

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 !

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!

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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

• Fremont Street Experience Entertainment Calendar

• MGM Mirage Opens Citycenter Residential Gallery At Bellagio – Stunning Architectural Model Delivers First Views of CityCenter’s Residential Offerings

• George Lopez, Sarah Silverman, Triumph The Insult Comic Dog, Jim Gaffigan, Jim Norton And Jeffrey Ross Are Some Of The Talent Added To HBO & AEG Live’s “The Comedy Festival” At Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, November 14-18, 2006Comic Relief 2006 Tickets and Info

• The Rampart Casino Presents Moments to Remember with The Four Lads and The Diamonds on November 12

• Rampart Casino at The Resort at Summerlin Features Thanksgiving Day Dining Specials

• Enjoy Delectable Dishes, First Class Entertainment And Spectacular Views At Viaggio’s Jazz Night

• Grubstake Dinner And Shows Two More To Go

• Country Superstar George Strait Returns To MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, February 3, 2007George Strait Tickets and Info

• Black Eyed Peas To Perform At Mandalay Bay Events Center Friday, Dec. 29Black Eyed Peas Tickets and Info

• Grotto Ristorante Is Newest Element In Transformation Of Golden Nugget Las Vegas

• The Miss America Organization Announces National Panel of Judges for the 2007 Miss America Pageant

• Luxor Extends Hot Dance Show Burn The FloorBurn The Floor Tickets and Info Call 800-696-5721

• Roseanne Barr, Lewis Black, Louis C.K., “Desperate Housewives” Cast Members, “Entourage” Cast Members, Mike Epps, Susie Essman, D.L. Hughley, Jimmy Kimmel, George Lopez, Bill Maher, Howie Mandel, Ray Romano, Rebecca Romijn, Rita Rudner, Steve Schirripa, Sarah Silverman, Jon Stewart And Stephen Colbert, Triumph The Insult Comic Dog And Debra Wilson Added To Lineup Of Comic Relief 2006, To Be Seen Saturday, Nov. 18, On HBO And TBSComic Relief 2006 Tickets and Info

• Jackson Perdue Headlines Award-Winning Riviera Comedy Club, Nov. 13-19

• The “Mel Brooks Musical Comedy The Producers” At Paris Las Vegas Announces Television Superstar David Hasselhoff To Play “Roger DeBris” In The Smash Hit Production’s Vegas Premiere

• Hogs & Heifers Saloon, Employees, Customers And Do-gooders!

• If You’re A Jazz Lover, Please Don’t Miss This Event!

• Cranberry Special At The Spa At Imperial Palace – Body Scrub, Butter Cream Treatment Refresh for Thanksgiving

• Rampart Casino and Sunny 106.5 FM Continues Wine Down Wednesdays

• Afternoon Tea And Brunch At The Carmel Room Returns Every Sunday This Fall

• The Sensational Lisa Donovan Returns To Las Vegas

• Las Vegas’ Version Of Central Park A Model Of Sustainability

• Merced, Visalia flights to Las Vegas scheduled for Nov. 19 takeoff

• Gearing up for the downtown Grand Prix

• Gaughan giddy after assuming ownership of South Coast

• LV officials do some Seoul searching – Korean flight used to push for tourists from China

• Vegoose 2006: Killers frontman says there’s no place like home

• Too dangerous to live in Las Vegas?

• President Bush Taps Wynn For Appointment

• Downtown tax break under discussion

• Wynn employees sworn to lifetime secrecy – Attorneys question breadth, enforceability of pact

• Softening housing market, exotic loans may mean some homeowners owe more on mortgages than homes are worth

• South Strip’s first luxury tower on the way up – Five towers planned for One Las Vegas

• MGM Mirage to sell 3 southern Nevada casinos to Herbst

• Las Vegas number two for stolen cars

• Lady Luck reopening delayed

• Neonopolis makeover getting discussion at Las Vegas City Hall

• Las Vegas Water Park Becomes Eyesore

• Pho at the Coffee Shop brings taste of Vietnam to Strip

• City needs new arena more than new team

• Former Stardust performer Thomas heads to The Orleans

• Residents may be used to them, but there are some weird things here

• Las Vegas, the chameleon city – From gaming to tourism to entertainment — Sin City is anything it wants to be

• StripSteak Opens Inside Mandalay Bay

• Las Vegas-Paradise area lands at top of list of dangerous metropolitan areas

• Boom Madness – Those were the days back in 2004. The housing boom in Las Vegas was at a fever pitch

• Water rate increase on tap in Las Vegas area

• SEMA 2006 hits Las Vegas

• Bleeding Las Vegas

• Southwest airlines planning to build bases in Las Vegas

• Pampas Churrascaria – Moveable Feast: Pampas Churrascaria does meat right, one skewer at a time

• More airport hearings sought – Ivanpah Valley project causing concerns

• Henderson annexes area including slice of south Las Vegas Strip

• Home sales drop dramatically

• Monorail extension to be proposed tonight

• Volleys fired in airport fight – Greens will attempt to scuttle Ivanpah project

• Las Vegas Bowl tickets selling fast – Less than 4,000 available for Dec. 21 gameLas Vegas Bowl Tickets and Info

• Public gets chance to size up students’ work – Fashion design pupils gain exposure during runway event at Strip venue

• Like it or not, Las Vegas will keep growing

• Sinatra disc focuses on Las VegasSinatra: Vegas (Box Set, 4CD/1DVD) Info from Amazon

• Illusionist settles into Luxor suite

• Chris Angel plans to float above Luxor

• Sprint Introduces Faster Mobile Broadband Network In Las Vegas

• Eating for a good cause

• Las Vegas Big Smoke Saturday Seminars – Anniversary Cigar Tasting

• Las Vegas union may be a player in the 2008 race

• The Tao of Joe – MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough and his producers can’t get into Tao, the hottest club in Las Vegas (streaming video)

The Closing of the Stardust Stories

• Final Farewells to Las Vegas’ Legendary Stardust

• Workers, patrons bid the Stardust a fond farewell

• Stardust’s imminent implosion another blow to Strip affordability

• Stardust Memories: Longtime Employees Reflect

• Stardust Memories: Milestones

• Boyd helped end era of mob control of Las Vegas casinos

• Stardust set to close doors on Wednesday (video links with story)

• The Stardust saw its share of stars

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!

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

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All contents copyright 2006 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

November 8, 2006 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us

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