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Newkirk's Notes - comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:
Hello From Las Vegas! The Super Bowl is looming and we always get a flood of "What is happening Super Bowl Sunday" emails. I'd love to tell you... but we've heard very little. No, Las Vegas didn't forget how to party for big events. However, the NFL (No Fun League) certainly did, and has used court orders and legal threats the past few years to keep our resorts from throwing the once famous huge events surrounding the big game.
Specifically, admission can't be charged for any event displaying the game, and the game can't be shown on TV's larger than would be used for normal home viewing. (This came as a result of The Palms plans to show the game in one of their movie theater screens one year).
This is really a complete shame. In the past, casinos threw these lavish events where one fee would cover an open bar, food, tons of giveaways, the Miller/Bud/Coors girls and tons of fun for a pretty modest fee. Profit wasn't the goal. The goal was fun!
Do not despair! Las Vegas is still the best place place in the world to watch the game (short of attending the game live). Every TV in every casino is tuned to the game, millions of dollars are bet, and every play generates unmatched whoops and excitement. You still have time to book a trip here. Visit our friends at I4Vegas Discount Las Vegas Reservations and see what rooms they still have.
The game is February 3, 2008. If you really want to splurge, we do have a few Big Game Tickets available. If you really, really, really want to splurge: Buy tickets to the game, book a Friday - Monday room here in Las Vegas, fly down to Phoenix on Sunday to see the game in person, then back for the evening in Las Vegas!
P.S. I can hook you up with a stadium suite at the actual game in Phoenix for around $200,000. Serious inquiries only on this one to ted.newkirk@gmail.com (and don't delay... this will be snapped up quickly).
Palazzo is fully open, generating more world-wide publicity for Las Vegas. The combination of Venetian and Palazzo (two hotels operating under one roof and jointly run as one hotel) along with the Sands Convention Center is being billed as the largest indoor complex of its type (in terms of square feet) in the world.
My advice: Visit Palazzo and Wynn Las Vegas back-to-back. They are just across the street from each other. Doing this creates an interesting compare/contrast in the styles of two of the biggest casino titans of the modern era. Missed last week's issue? Then you missed our exclusive sneak peak. Check out Palazzo Las Vegas Photos
Palazzo Las Vegas News Stories
Palazzo opening signals Las Vegas' upscale turn
Presenting Palazzo - Shiny new hotel-casino packed with comfort, cuisine
New Vegas casino shifts Strip action northward
Sands' Adelson still bullish on Las Vegas
Palazzo Opening Signals Las Vegas' Upscale Turn
You heard it here first... our political caucuses were a joke. (As usual, skip this section if no interest). This will be the last we talk about this, but last week I noted just some of the surface problems which I anticipated with our Presidential political caucuses and why to not read too much into the results. The sparks are still flying and my comments follow:
On the Democratic side, the entire system was geared to get Obama the nomination. This included a union endorsement from that union that 80% of the Strip resort workers belong to, and nine "special" at-large caucuses in actual Strip hotels. Let's see here... a very powerful union, caucuses at the union's job site, and a caucus format that makes one's vote very public. Nothing strange about that? (Correction from last week: The Democratic caucuses were at 11 AM. Also, the legality of these special caucus sites was still being disputed when I wrote last week).
The Clinton's fought back with a vengeance. Hillary campaigned heavily and publicly in working class neighborhoods likely to have a high percentage of hotel workers. Bill spent much of the week walking (working) the "back of the house" at numerous Strip properties and visiting a number of hotel caucus sites.
On the GOP side, only Mitt Romney and Ron Paul actively campaigned here. Both poured a ton of money and time into Nevada. However, the time of the GOP caucus (Saturday morning at 9 AM) was tailor-made for Romney's voters. The Mormons and Evangelicals who made up a large chunk of his support here were most likely to actually be up at 9 AM on a weekend. Ron Paul's base of libertarians and younger people (both groups most likely to party into the wee hours on a Friday night) may have suppressed his vote. (Disclaimer: None of the candidates I've mentioned from either party are my first choice for the Presidency. I'm just speaking as a pundit).
Those who want to read more can check out the numerous letters to the editor or our local paper from earlier this week: Next time, Nevada should try a primary. I couldn't agree with them more.
Quick Amazon Tip - This isn't Las Vegas related, but a very cool idea I stumbled across. If you are like me, you go to Amazon.com for one or two items on a regular basis. This leaves you short of the "free shipping on a $25 purchase" deal they have. What do I do? Simply add some printer ink to my order. It is something I know I'll need. Plus... it puts me over the free shipping limit.
Enjoy This Issue!
Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor
Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs
Sammy Hagar To Perform At The Pearl Big Game Weekend - Legendary Rocker Makes A Stop In Las Vegas At The Palms On February 2 - While thousands are in town for football, some have good ol' fashion rock 'n' roll on their minds. This Big Game weekend, The Palms will be chock full with festivities, including a headlining concert with one of the most distinctive voices in rock, Sammy Hagar. (Tickets) The singer truly began to be a household name in the mid '80s when he fronted the already formed Van Halen, replacing David Lee Roth. Hagar comes to The Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms on Saturday, February 2, 2008, at 8 p.m. for what is sure to be a winning performance. Click to Read The Full Story ...
American Superstars Show At The Stratosphere Casino Hotel And
Tower Adds Rod Stewart Tribute - The American Superstars show at the Stratosphere
Casino Hotel and Tower has added veteran tribute artist John Anthony as Rod
Stewart to its line-up of celebrity tributes to yesterday's and today's hottest music
stars, announced American Casino & Entertainment Properties officials. (Tickets)
"Rod Stewart has a look, voice, and energy level that are uniquely his own. It takes
an accomplished performer like John Anthony to nail a tribute that is sincere and accurate
while covering the scope of Stewart's enduring career," says Mark Callas, who
produces American Superstars with his Springtime Productions partner, Donny Moore. Click
to Read
The Full Story ...
MGM MIRAGE Restaurants Awarded Michelin Stars Highlighted by Only Restaurant to Receive Three Star Honors, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand - The November 2007 debut of the Michelin Guide in Las Vegas is a European nod to Las Vegas' evolution into one of the world's top dining destinations. Sixteen restaurants were honored with at least one Michelin star, and seven of those restaurants are within MGM MIRAGE properties. Receiving top honors is the Michelin three-star restaurant, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand. The only Las Vegas recipient of this well-respected distinction, Joel Robuchon represents "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey" according to Michelin's three-star criteria.
Earning an impressive two stars is Chef Julian Serrano's Picasso at Bellagio. Two stars is defined by Michelin as "excellent cooking, worth a detour." Rounding out the honors and capturing one star for "a very good restaurant in its category, offering cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard" are five impressive restaurants -- L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand, Le Cirque at Bellagio, MICHAEL MINA Bellagio, Aureole at Mandalay Bay and miX atop THEhotel at Mandalay Bay.
AOL Names 'Crazy Girls' 'Las Vegas' Sexiest Topless Revue' - In
Its 22nd Year The Riviera Show Is Now To Be Featured In A Series Of New Movies -
"Crazy Girls" has appeared on hundreds of magazine covers and has proven itself
as the best long-running show as well as "Las Vegas' Sexiest Topless Revue" time
after time and now a series of movies are being made about the famous revue. (Tickets)
No show in Las Vegas' history has raised so much controversy as the "Crazy
Girls" at the Riviera
Hotel & Casino by virtue of performing and entertaining the 10's of
millions of visitors who flock to Las Vegas each year with the type of style of
entertainment that made "The Entertainment Capital" the success that it is
today. Click to Read
The Full Story ...
Gambling Talk: Video Keno - Part Three - with Victor H. Royer. I have often written that knowing the pay tables for machine-based gambling games is essential, and paramount to your ability to win money. While powerful profits are possible even on games whose statistical profile distinctly classifies them in the "not so good" category, knowing this before playing is equally as important as knowing the information that statistically so classifies them. Just as important is knowing the odds on such machines, and the payback percentages. Click to Read Complete Article...
Members Mania - We Love Our Readers!
Got a couple of great responses to last week's question about coat-check and what to do with your coat in Las Vegas during the winter:
Hi Ted & Others,
Re this question in your latest column, being a woman, I'm "hot and then cold"
while in Vegas (both weather-wise and luck-wise, for that matter). I try to layer a couple
of sleeves. That way I can take off a sweater or jacket once I'm inside if the casino's
too warm. But I wouldn't recommend putting a coat or sweater on the back of a chair,
especially if you're playing the slots. Most of us machine-hop fairly often, and what are
the odds you're going to remember that coat or sweater on the back of a chair? I've had to
try to retrace my steps to locate a sweater (in that case) that I left on a particular
chair.
In wintertime Vegas, the daytimes are most often sunny, and it means you won't need
a heavy coat. But a couple of layers of sleeves is a good idea, especially if you're
walking from property to property on The Strip--quite a distance in some instances.
Another thing that works for me is tying my sweater/jacket sleeves around my waist after I
remove the sweater/jacket. No easy answer, but wintertime Vegas beats summertime heat for
me, without a doubt! Have a great time,
J. Steele
from the Texas Hill Country
At Delmonico's in the Venetian they offer to take your coat. Where they put it I
don't know, but of course we all got our coats back after dinner!
Barbara Smith
Russell, PA
Hi Ted,
Like many other readers I enjoy your newsletters. I have to ask......I haven't seen any
mention of any Mega Buck winners for almost a year now. Think the last big news was a
nickel machine at the Golden Nugget a long while back. Has the ticket in ticket out put a
drought on the winners?
Regards, John
Great question! It seems like there were record jackpots a few years ago, and people were hitting them every few months. A check with Megabuck creators IGT Gaming shows that someone hit $1.00 Megabucks for $10,762,067 in May of 2007 at The Fremont downtown. The current jackpot is over $16,000,000.
Some conjecture that the machines were tightened up to create the series of record jackpots. A downside of tighter machines? People give up and stop playing them.
More Las Vegas News - Concerts - Events
Juanes To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo Weekend With His La Vida World Tour At Mandalay Bay Events Center Friday, May 2
Juanes TicketsDef Leppard To Perform At The Pearl April 25 - Special Guests REO Speedwagon Add To The Vegas Stop
Def Leppard TicketsReigning CMA & ACM Vocal Group Of The Year Rascal Flatts "Still Feels Good" Tour With Special Guest Kellie Pickler Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, March 8
Rascal Flatts TicketsStomp Out Loud Named One Of Top 10 Shows Of The Year By Las Vegas Review-Journal
Stomp Out Loud TicketsStylists for 'Spamalot' ensure everything's in its proper place
Spamalot Tickets'Caveman' star marks performance milestone
Defending The Caveman Tickets'Hats!' director says show balances substance, entertainment
Hats! TicketsMop Top Mania: 'Fab Four' balances authenticity with wise-cracking fun
Fab Four TicketsCanyon Ranch Spa is a departure from its Vegas surroundings
Venetian Resort Hotel Casino Info and ReservationsHalf-Mile Chorus Line Comprised Of Wildly Clad Red Hat Ladies To Take Over The Las Vegas Strip, Jan. 26
Mayor Oscar Goodman Exchanges Keys With Penthouse Pet And Club Key Girls
Come Together With Get Back! Cast Of Beatlemania
Soulful, Southern Singer And Songwriter Michael Grimm, To Perform At The Club Inside The Cannery Casino & Hotel
Hang Out Down On The Corner With Creedence Clearwater Revisited At The Cannery Casino & Hotel On Saturday, April 12
Southwest adding flights this spring from Buffalo to Vegas
Surviving a trip to Vegas
Fantasy cars for rent in Vegas
Chartering Jets To Las Vegas Is Not Only For The Elite
First Time a Las Vegas Three Story Penthouse Is Listed for Sale
Your Vegas is Showing
Las Vegas jury to rule on Plaza name
On the Edge of Common Sense: Las Vegas puts rodeo in orbit
Industrial market softens in fourth quarter
Water Reclamation District launches $1.3 billion in projects
County faces lawsuit over newsrack fees
Downtown Business Owners Have a New Tool to Fight Crime
Viva Las Vegas
$3 billion Cosmopolitan casino project faces foreclosure in Vegas
Eclectic joint Sen of Japan is a hit, and deservedly so
Casinos Report $2.3 Billion In '07 Profits - Hotel-Casinos Post Highest Net Income Ever
Metro Targeting Real Estate Fraud
Vegas Court Rejects Injunction Over Plaza Name
LV 'party house' ordinance suspended; law to be improved
New center still awaits three anchors
Police see fall in some crimes
Increase in break-ins forces LV police to shift manpower
County shooting park to open March 2009
Get your blues on at the Sand Dollar
Visitor tally flat for LV - High-profile events lacking in November
Condo auction won't happen - Lender takes over Newport Lofts
Rules for air quality might get tougher
Gaming tax rate petition argued
Lake Mead eagles soaring - Record high of 116 spotted in Jan. 7 count
Monorail extension going nowhere fast
If you've dined at one Eiffel Tower ...
Heart attack sufferers' best odds may be in casinos
Online betting whiffs in Nevada - Study says 96 percent of residents don't play
Mayor pals with 'Las Vegas' cast
Casinos suffer double-digit drop
Poker player faces bomb threat and extortion charges
Bigger and bigger, maybe not better - Some observers wonder if CES is worth trouble and cost
Coming Hot Holidays - The following dates are huge times to be in Las Vegas, and rooms are in high demand. Booking in advance is the best way to save. Visit our friends at I4Vegas Discount Las Vegas Reservations and spend one of the following hot dates having fun in Las Vegas:
- Chinese/Lunar New Year February 7
- Lincoln's Birthday February 12
- 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)
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All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights
Reserved.
January 23, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About
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