AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

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Archive for October, 2002

Access Vegas Insider Vibe - October 30, 2002

Welcome to Access Vegas News and Reviews! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas attractions, dining, and shows that YOU really care about.

If you receive this by mistake, please note the simple unsubscribe instructions at the bottom. Feel free to forward this newsletter to others. To subscribe, simply send a blank email to allvegastv@aol.com

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

Hello from Las Vegas! My apologies for the weather over the weekend. Last week I talked about the 85 (F) and sunny we had for most of October. Wouldn’t you know it — the very next day highs plummeted to the low 70’s and it rained overnight both weekend nights (although pleasant during the day). Today is a chilly 72 so I guess fall will be banging on the door in a few more weeks.

Someone wrote a recent letter to the editor of the Review-Journal (our morning paper) criticizing Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman’s endorsement of Bombay Sapphire gin. The $100,000 endorsement fee is going to charity.  The writer noted that he moved to Las Vegas from the east coast 10 years ago. I’m hoping he leaves soon. If you are thinking about moving to Las Vegas, move to Las Vegas. Accept Las Vegas. If the way we do things here isn’t your cup of tea, please move elsewhere!

Las Vegas News: Of Interest To Tourists

Floridian Nets $10,000 At Riviera - In town to attend the marriage of their niece at the Riviera Hotel and Casino’s wedding chapel, Mike and Elizabeth McGowen were dancing when their slot machine hit a $10,000 jackpot. The Clearwater couple was very, very happy to say the least. Mike, a retired policeman, stated, “we have no plans at the moment. Maybe a trip back to the Riviera to celebrate our niece’s marriage would be nice.”

Splash Welcomes Bronze Medallist - Splash at the Riviera Hotel & Casino welcomed back to the ice 1998 American Open Figure Skating Pro Championship Bronze Medallist Mikhail Panin with a new partner international skating champion Margarita Barber. With his new partner Barber, Panin now once again performing a breathtaking ice ballet with Barber - an enchanting ice dance of spirals and spins - as well as an acrobatic adagio routine that is leaving audiences sitting on the edge of their seats. Click here for full story.

New Year’s Eve - We have lots of new readers and everyone is curious about what the party capital of the world does for New Year’s Eve. I could tell you, but we have over 100 photos and streaming video from the last two years online for you at no charge. Go check out New Year’s Eve Las Vegas!

Coinless Slots - A major agreement has been reached for MGM/Mirage to convert to coinless ticket in-ticket out technology. Are you going to miss the “plunk, plunk, plunk” of coins hitting the tray, or do you like cashing out with a ticket you can use in another machine? We’ve posted the full story in our forums so you can read it and share your thoughts!

Jillian’s - has opened downtown at Neonopolis on the Fremont. St. Experience. A recent Friday visit showed a lively venue that is a lot of fun! Imagine a two story, upscale arcade, sports bar, lounge, and bowling ally and you have Jillian’s.

Construction Updates - Steve Wynn is scheduled to break ground Thursday October 31 on his new megaresort La Reve. Ground has been broken on the Hoover Dam bypass road and bridge. I can hear a big cheer for our friends who drive in from Arizona, New Mexico and points Southeast of Las Vegas. It won’t be done until 2007 but will cut serious time off of the trip when finished.

Phase 1 of the billion dollar Fashion Show Mall (just north of Treasure Island) is complete, introducing Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s Home to this area among the other well known department stores already part of the mall. We’ll keep you up on these projects as they progress.

Shopping - Speaking of shopping, we have just updated and expanded our Las Vegas Shopping Guide.

Calendar For Charity - Now is the time to get a 2003 Las Vegas calendar and help a good cause. These are the same high quality Las Vegas calendars you find in hotels and gift shops at or below the gift shop price with all proceeds going to charity. See the beautiful photos and purchase info at  2003 Las Vegas Calendar.

Subscription “Dues” - This newsletter is absolutely free! We enjoy bringing you great Las Vegas information. If you enjoy our newsletter, we ask two small things: Consider booking your hotels, showstours, and golf through AccessVegas.Com or the links in this newsletter. We have great rates and fantastic selection in every category. Also, turn your friends on to Las Vegas by suggesting they subscribe. They’ll thank you and we thank you.


Rental Cars - Don’t pay top dollar! Enter the dates of your visit and compare prices from virtually every major rental car agency (most US cities). Book the lowest price company or your regular agency. Save the hassle and some money - Car Rental Savings Search. Few regret renting a car. Free shuttles and city bus rides can be slow and smelly. Taxis can cost what a rental car costs. Your vacation time is valuable — make the most out of it!

Restaurant Review: Alize

Top of the Palms Casino Resort
By Chef John Guinivere - ChefLive.Com

Well folks… I now have a new favorite restaurant here in Las Vegas and I can gladly recommend it. This new restaurant is a chef’s dream! It sits on the top of a beautiful hotel and has one of the best views in the entire city. The dining room has very high ceilings, which lets in even more for the eyes to see. The interior, from tables, chairs and carpet are all wonderful together. They could serve burgers and beer and you would thoroughly enjoy your visit. But they don’t server burgers; they serve some of the best food in town!

Click Here To Read The Rest Of This Review

Featured Tour: Hummer Desert Exploration

Hummer Desert Exploration Tour - The mysterious Desert…only minutes from the Strip… rough terrain and dry crushing heat destroys anything not especially equipped to be there. But you are in the most powerful, safest off road vehicle ever built … HUMMER! Keep cameras ready — we may encounter Big Horn sheep, wild Burros, mustangs and even the elusive Kit Fox. This is a three hour adventure, morning and afternoon departures available.

Additional Tours Including Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, City, Scenic, National Parks, and Adventure

Featured Golf Course: Man O’ War

Man O’ War - The Man O’ War course was the first built at Stallion Mountain and was a host course in 1991 for the PGA Tour’s Las Vegas Invitational. Chip Beck shot a 59 that year, joining Al Geiberger (at the time) as the only men in history to shoot that score. Recently, Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley redesigned it, creating a distinctive layout with undulating greens guarded by bunkering.

Additional Las Vegas Golf Courses and Golf Vacations


For comments or questions regarding Las Vegas, our content, or this newsletter please post to our message boards so that others may read and help or write us a “letter to the editor” at allvegastv@aol.com. We do certainly read them all and they help shape our content.

See you on the boards!

Live From Las Vegas,

Ted Newkirk

CEO
Senior Content Editor

New to the list? Click Here for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates, or better yet recommend it to friends with a chance to win $10,000! Click Here To Win

All contents copyright 2002 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
October 30, 2002 ISSN: 1529-2770

Access Vegas Insider Vibe - October 16, 2002

Welcome to Access Vegas News and Reviews! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas attractions, dining, and shows that YOU really care about.

If you receive this by mistake, please note the simple unsubscribe instructions at the bottom. Feel free to forward this newsletter to others. To subscribe, simply send a blank email to allvegastv@aol.com

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

Hello from Las Vegas! It has been a busy week, seeing David Copperfield, Frank Sinatra, Jr., a Sunday trip out to Hoover Dam and Monday Night Football at the Hard Rock. Sinatra was fantastic, our Copperfield and Hard Rock football reviews are in this issue.

The weather has been stunning with highs in the mid-80’s and cool evenings that don’t get cold. I put the Rams/Raiders game on the car radio (my Raiders finally suffered a loss), put on the sun glasses, put down the car windows, and headed out to Hoover Dam on Sunday. Although a security checkpoint for cars, they wave most people through and the lack of truck traffic has made it easier and quicker to get to the dam. We’ll have that story soon.

We’ll be mentioning the Las Vegas Calendars for charity every couple of weeks until the end of the year. No excuses — these quality big photo calendars are only $5 including shipping with proceeds going to a great cause. We will not rest until every reader gets one!

Las Vegas News: Of Interest To Tourists

Hard Rock Football - The Joint at the Hard Rock was truly rocking this past Monday night for the Seahawks/49′ers game! Outside of the various parties held at local strip clubs, this is possibly the sexiest Monday Night Football (MNF) party in town. This is probably also your cheapest chance to check out the venue that has hosted The Stones, The Who, The Eagles and a laundry list of classic and modern rock shows.

Admission is free, and three huge screens show the game with the Michaels/Madden commentary and sound played over the concert quality sound system. Music is played during the commercials with scantily clad go-go girls dancing throughout the venue. Appetizers are available ($3-6) along with $1.50 Bud or Bud Light drafts to wash them down.

The event is always sponsored by a local radio station and not only draws plenty of locals, but a surprising number of women for a MNF event. While the Hard Rock is the place to see and be seen, this is serious football with plenty of loud cheering for both sides. Remember that MNF starts at 6 PM Pacific Time.

Club Rubber Halloween Costume Ball - Club Rubber and the N9NE Group presents a wicked party for the over 21 crowd. Costumes are mandatory.

  • Where: Rain in the Desert at the Palms
  • When: Oct. 31 at 9 p.m.
  • How Much: $25 (Women) $30 (Men)

Halloween Bingo Bash - Palms Casino Resort will host a special Halloween Bingo Bash on October 31 including cash giveaways.

Calendar For Charity - Now is the time to get a 2003 Las Vegas calendar and help a good cause. These are the same high quality Las Vegas calendars you find in hotels and gift shops at or below the gift shop price with all proceeds going to charity. See the beautiful photos and purchase info at  2003 Las Vegas Calendar.

Screamers Haunted House - is in the fourth year in operation. Designed and built by some of Las Vegas’ top scenic designers and illusion builders for the big shows here in town. Click for details on this fun magic-based fright experience!

Best Magic Show - You still have time to vote for your favorite Las Vegas magician in our “Best Of’ poll. Simply head to the main page of AccessVegas.Com and vote. For those wondering the ommission of a deserving David Copperfield (who spends about half the year playing Las Vegas), this time around we only included magicians who regularly headline their own show here year around.

Sexiest Ladies Night - in Las Vegas is advertised at Wednesday nights at Venus at The Venetian. Ladies drink from 11 PM -1 AM. Click for more details.

Showroom Cancer Survivor - Our friend Larry G. Jones with the great free show at Fitzgerald’s recently got a nice write-up in the local paper regarding his show and earlier battle with cancer.

Subscription “Dues” - This newsletter is absolutely free! We enjoy bringing you great Las Vegas information. If you enjoy our newsletter, we ask two small things: Consider booking your hotels, showstours, and golf through AccessVegas.Com or the links in this newsletter. We have great rates and fantastic selection in every category. Also, turn your friends on to Las Vegas by suggesting they subscribe. They’ll thank you and we thank you.



Show Review: David Copperfield - Portal

Note: David Copperfield just finished a brief run at the MGM but returns at the end of the month to play Oct 31. - Nov. 6 and again Dec. 24 - Jan. 1. Due to the popularity of this show and high ticket demand, you may wish to reserve your seats as far in advance as possible.

I’d like to call David Copperfield a living legend. If you are old enough to gamble you have seen him do everything from walk through the Great Wall of China to make the Statue of Liberty vanish on his famous television specials. However, I won’t. “Living Legend” sometimes connotes a a respected performer, past their prime, churning it out for the buck. Mr. Copperfield is still very much at the top of his game.

He’s either a great actor or still loves what he is doing (probably a bit of both) because from the minute he hits the stage, he’s having fun and that makes you want to like him. He could be a nobody just starting out and you would like him. But he gets right into it with an illusion that has him floating upwards through a plate of steel.

Click Here To Read The Rest Of This Review

Show Review Criteria: We understand that Las Vegas attracts visitors of varied budgets and interests. Shows are reviewed on the basis of value for dollar spent as well as to present the reader enough knowledge of the content to make an informed decision.

Featured Tour: Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon Tour by Bus - Just minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip lies Red Rock Canyon - one of the Mojave Desert’s most beautiful outdoor areas. The tour takes visitors into Spring Mountain State Park, a working ranch nestled at the base of the dramatic Wilson Cliffs that was once owned by eccentric millionaire Howard Hughes. The trip continues to the Red Rock Canyon National Recreation area with a stop at the visitor center followed by a leisurely lap around the 13-mile scenic loop.

Additional Tours Including Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, City, Scenic, National Parks, and Adventure

Featured Golf Course: Royal Links

Royal Links Golf Club - Royal Links Golf Club was built to honor the rich history and tradition of the game of golf. This links style course features holes inspired by the British Open rotation courses such as the “Road Hole” from St. Andrews and the “Postage Stamp” from Royal Troon. Carnoustie, Turnberry, Royal Liverpool, Prestwick, Royal Lytham, Muirfield and Royal Birkdale also provided inspiration for this unique golf course.

Additional Las Vegas Golf Courses and Golf Vacations


For comments or questions regarding Las Vegas, our content, or this newsletter please post to our message boards so that others may read and comment or write us a “letter to the editor” at allvegastv@aol.com. We do certainly read them all and they help shape our content.

Ted Newkirk

New to the list? Click Here for back issues and subscription info.

Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates, or better yet recommend it to friends with a chance to win $10,000! Click Here To Win

All contents copyright 2002 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
October 16, 2002 ISSN: 1529-2770

Access Vegas Insider Vibe - October 9, 2002

Welcome to Access Vegas News and Reviews! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas attractions, dining, and shows that YOU really care about.

If you receive this by mistake, please note the simple unsubscribe instructions at the bottom. Feel free to forward this newsletter to others. To subscribe, simply send a blank email to allvegastv@aol.com


Newkirk’s Notes - comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:Hello from Las Vegas! This is normally an “off” week for the newsletter, but so much great reader feedback and questions came in the past week that we are working overtime. No rest in Las Vegas!

If you missed last weeks issue, click here to read it in the archives. If you are new to the list, hang tight. Your first regular issue will arrive next week.

We Were Featured: Las Vegas Review-Journal “Online Guy” columnist Al Gibes featured our New Year’s Eve Las Vegas site in his recent article. Check out the article!

Reader Feedback

VegasJules wrote:

I love the new format! I’ve enjoyed reading your newsletter for a while now, and I always love getting the scoop on my favorite city. Even though I don’t have a trip in the planning (at the moment, but I’m always hoping!), I can always count on you for some great info! Thanks!

Shanny Aitken wrote:

The new look your newsletter is sporting is great! Thanks for all the helpful information. Each trip to Las Vegas, we arrive better informed than the trip before!

I want to thank everyone for the nice words and great response to our spruced up format. Same great info, same “tell it like it is” philosophy, but with a little more visual spice to bring Las Vegas to you!

Message Board Member “nn23″ wrote:

I don’t think kids belong in Las Vegas. Its an adult city, Alcohol, parties, gambling, adult entertainment… I would never bring kids to Las Vegas… I wish other people wouldn’t either. Take your kids to Disney, not Las Vegas… Let us adults have fun, an enjoy ourselves.

Readers, what do you think? Do you take your kids to Las Vegas or do you see it as an adult destination? Tell us your thoughts and experiences in our Kids In Las Vegas forum.

Jim O’Hara from Chicago wrote:

I have to agree with the poll, on the locals casinos, in the recent newsletter. About two months ago we visited the Gold Coast. How or why we went there I don’t know but we were pleasantly surprised. I had been in the Gold Coast a number of years ago ( a whole story in itself) and thought it to be rather shabby. We ate at the buffet, played for a number of hours and really enjoyed ourselves. It certainly didn’t hurt that I hit a royal.

If anyone missed it, go check out the poll results.

Richard and Barbara Paro wrote:

I just want to start off saying I love, love, love your news letter. I’ve only been getting it for a couple of months. I have two questions. One is on comped rooms. We are coming to Vegas in Nov. and are staying at the (name of casino withheld). We have been there before 2 times.

We get our room comped for three nights. We spend anywhere from a thousand to fifteen hundred a day. That’s our money not what we win in between. We would like to go to other places to see some of the things you talk about, and see if we could win at other casinos but feel obligated to spend our time and money where we get comped. How can we do both, and how much do we have to spend to still get comped?

Comps are the big question and source of confusion here in Las Vegas. I withheld the name of the casino involved here not because of any problems, but because this is a general issue.

First of all, casinos aren’t comping you because they are “nice guys.” They are comping you because they realize you will lose more than your comps cost them over time. Think about this: In return for giving you a room that probably would have gone empty and costs them a few bucks a day to maintain, you are giving them heavy play and not even leaving the place. That is no way to enjoy Las Vegas!

You have a number of options. One is to split your play on your next visit between this casino and another two or three that you are interested in. The odds are that the first casino won’t cut your free nights right away. If you were to visit time and time again and not gamble much there, then they would probably pull back the comp offers.

Play at other places and see if you win, and if they offer you anything. Or come to town and take $50-100 of that daily gambling budget and buy a room so you don’t feel obligated and you can go test the waters elsewhere.

Another new option that many take advantage of is the ability to see right away online what casinos are giving away what comps for what level of play. Playsis lets you enter the amount of your bet, how long you play, and they will offer you a comp level at various hotels right up front. No phone calls, no negotiating, no hoping that “Vinnie” at the casino will smile down upon you. So you might want to check out Playsis.

Message Board Member “mytrn41″ wrote:

Glad to here you are not tiring of Vegas anytime soon. Hope to retire there some day. Not a gambler, but love the weather, mountains and the mystery of the dessert.

Look forward to your newsletters, keep up the informative mailings. Visit often, but for different reasons. Enjoy driving up to Mt Charleston, or to Red Rock Canyon. Even a trip to a local Wal-Mart with the beautiful Mountain setting behind, something you cannot experience in our town of Hebron, Illinois.

I could not agree with you more. I too like to see an area when I travel, and not just the resort areas. There is so much more to do here than gambling! Mt. Charleston and Red Rock are stunning and we have some great tours where you can see them in a few hours.

For those thinking of moving here, we have two new pages of info:

Message Board Member “fla5h2001″ wrote:

My my favorite last fine dining experience was on VOODOO Cafe on top of the RIO! The service was superb and the food, OH my GOD is was truly to die for!

Check out more info on the Voodoo Cafe and tell us about your best (or worst) Las Vegas dining experiences in the dining forums at our Message Boards.

Live From Las Vegas,

Ted Newkirk

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


New to the list? Click Here for back issues and subscription info.Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates, or better yet recommend it to friends with a chance to win $10,000! Click Here To Win

All contents copyright 2002 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
October 9, 2002 ISSN: 1529-2770

Access Vegas Insider Vibe - October 2, 2002

Welcome to Access Vegas News and Reviews! This is
  the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We
  talk about the Las Vegas attractions, dining, and shows that YOU really care about.

  If you receive this by mistake, please note the simple unsubscribe
  instructions at the bottom. Feel free to forward this newsletter to others. To subscribe,
  simply send a blank email to allvegastv@aol.com


Newkirk’s Notes - comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:Hello from Las Vegas! Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. We’ve done a little face lift on the newsletter. Don’t worry … no drastic changes. We moved hotel specials back to the top to give you easy access to them and added the “What’s New” section to highlight the great stuff we add all the time.As usual, we were out all over the place last week. We ran into a reader at Tequila Joe’s (Imperial Palace) which we always enjoy. When at a resort area bar or lounge, I never tell anybody who I am or what I do so I can get people’s honest views of Las Vegas. It is always fun when I find out the person is a reader.Steve and his wife Maria from Windsor (Ontario, Canada) had noted his frustration with cocktail service at some slots. I shared some tips with him and he wrote me a couple of days ago to say hello and thank me. The letter is in feedback along with my tips. We enjoy being able to help!

Las Vegas News: Of Interest To Tourists

Calendar For Charity - Now is the time to get a 2003 Las Vegas calendar and help a good cause. These are the same high quality Las Vegas calendars you find in hotels and gift shops at or below the gift shop price with all proceeds going to charity. See the beautiful photos and purchase info at  2003 Las Vegas Calendar.

Best “Local’s” Casino - You voted and the results are in! Here are the top Las Vegas local’s casinos (casinos away from the tourist areas usually frequented by residents):

  1. Sam’s Town - Newly remodeled, Sam’s Town appeals not only to the country music fans, but those who want a comfortable place where the rules are good, the food is better, and Mystic Falls indoor park is one of the nicest faux outdoor places to enjoy a cocktail.
  2. The Orleans - Just a mile east of The Strip on Tropicana, The Orleans boasts a comfortable atmosphere, good buffet, great specialty restaurants, regular headliners and concerts, and one of the hottest cocktail waitress outfits in town.
  3. Sunset Station and Gold Coast (tie). You can’t go wrong with either. If you haven’t been in the Gold Coast the past year, you have not been. Remodeled and upgraded to compete with The Palms (across the street), they continue to have great gaming, cheap rooms, and a new buffet that is the best in town for the money.Sunset Station was the top-of-the-line of the Station Casino group until Green Valley Ranch opened. However, few must have made it up to Green Valley Ranch (a favorite of ours) and Sunset gets the win.

This goes to show that we don’t rig our polls! You readers and other site visitors visit AccessVegas.Com and cast your votes, and our double-redundant system insures that nobody can stuff the ballet box. This month, we want to know “What is the best Las Vegas magic show”? Vote now on the main page of AccessVegas.Com

Sahara Korean Barbecue - Chef John recently enjoyed his visit and noted “The Kun-Mandu are beef pot stickers served with an excellent dipping sauce and our other main entree was Kalbee a.k.a. barbecued pork” and  “a Korean restaurant would also be a very good stop for a vegetarian looking for something beyond a tofu burger.” This restaurant is close to The Strip. Read the review with photos.

Larry G. Jones - continues his great, free show at the Fitzgerald’s downtown. So successful has he been, that the hotel has expanded and upgraded the showroom to meet demand! Jones is the “Man of 1,002 Voices.” Go see him now before the hotel figures out it should be charging much more than the one drink minimum to see him. For more info including show times, click to Larry G. Jones - Man of 1,002 Voices.

Readers Are Winning! - Message board members “kimimurad” and “kay” separately reported on recent jackpots here in Las Vegas. “kimimurad” hit at the Luxor for $1600 and $1200 and “kay” played Roaring 20’s slots at the Stardust for 8 hours on a $20 bill and walked away $750 ahead. Tell us about the big jackpot or the nice run you had at the slots in our Gambling / Jackpots forum!

Ladies Day Out - Treat Yourself to Something Special! Spend a fun-filled day doing what we love to do most and are great at…shopping, dining, and relaxing. More details at Ladies Day Out

Nellis Air Show - Nellis Air Force Base will host a two-day air show called Aviation Nation Oct. 5-6. The objective of this event is to give our friends and neighbors throughout Southern Nevada and visitors from throughout the world a behind the scenes look at America’s Air Force.

The air show will also depict the history of American aviation through numerous additional military and civilian air demonstrations and ground displays. Nearly 100 aircraft from a replica of the original Wright Flyer to some of the nation’s newest military aircraft will be on display. Details at Nellis Air Show.

Legal Pot - You may have heard that Nevada will legalize marijuana. Maybe, but it won’t be this year. A measure on the ballot would basically legalize 3 oz. or less. It is trailing in the polls, but conjecture is that people don’t answer poll questions of this nature honestly. The bottom line: Nevada law requires constitutional measures to be passed twice to become law. So if it passes this time, another two year wait is ahead.

Subscription “Dues” - This newsletter is absolutely free! We enjoy bringing you great Las Vegas information. If you enjoy our newsletter, we ask two small things: Consider booking your hotels, showstours, and golf through AccessVegas.Com or the links in this newsletter. We have great rates and fantastic selection in every category. Also, turn your friends on to Las Vegas by forwarding a copy to them and suggesting they subscribe. They’ll thank you and we thank you.


Rental Cars - Don’t pay top dollar! Enter the dates of your visit and compare prices from virtually every major rental car agency (most US cities). Book the lowest price company or your regular agency. Save the hassle and some money - Car Rental Savings Search. Few regret renting a car. Free shuttles and city bus rides can be slow and smelly. Taxis can cost what a rental car costs. Your vacation time is valuable — make the most out of it!

Show Review: V The Ultimate Variety Show

Las Vegas is home to some of the greatest entertainment on earth, and because of that many great entertainers and entertainment groups make their home here. Many work in the shows, but what do the rest of them do all the time? Many do well performing private corporate events or home base out of here while spending time on the road.

Producer David Saxe found himself in an interesting situation lately. He had produced Melinda - The First Lady of Magic at The Venetian for the past few years and Melinda recently retired to start a family after a long successful career. Having been a successful Las Vegas show producer, he was familiar with all of the great acts around town and a light bulb went off: Why not bring Las Vegas a show full of cream of the crop acts for an entire show?

Click to read the rest of our review

Show Review Criteria: We understand that Las Vegas attracts visitors of varied budgets and interests. Shows are reviewed on the basis of value for dollar spent as well as to present the reader enough knowledge of the content to make an informed decision.

Featured Golf Course:

Rio Secco Golf Club - Set among the rolling foothills of the Black Mountain Range in Las Vegas, Rio Secco Golf Club provides a world-class golf experience unlike any other.   Designed by Rees Jones, Golf World Magazine’s 1995 “Golf Architect of the Year” and mastermind behind over 100 of the world’s most fabulous courses, the Rio Secco provides both stunning scenery and challenging play.

Additional Las Vegas Golf Courses and Golf Vacations

Featured Tour:

Hoover Dam Express - If you’re short on time, we offer a Hoover Dam Express Tour. You’ll have two full hours at the dam, and your step-on guide will be available to assist you throughout your trip.Our specially designed tour gives you comfort in a customized vehicle where you’ll view a complimentary movie on the construction of the Dam on your way.

Additional Tours Including Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, City, Scenic, National Parks, and Adventure


Reader Feedback

Steve from Windsor, Ontario wrote;

I took your advice and sat down on quarters slot machines to see if the drink service was any better than when I sat down on a nickel machine. I tried this at the Palms and knowing my luck it was no better so I went to the Rio and the service was excellent. I couldn’t even drink the first one fast enough and she was back with another one. I tipped her a dollar every time she came around and after the third one she didn’t even bother to ask me if I wanted one she just brought me one and kept doing so until I told her I was leaving.Why was I leaving a place where I was in my glory you might ask, because the Red, White, and Blue two coin machine I was playing hit on the Double, Red 7, Red 7 so I cashed out. I only had put 20 dollars into the machine and had been playing it for quite some time. Then I went to the Strat to try my luck. I sat at a nickel machine right near the bar and the service was excellent. At the Sahara I played one dollar craps and service was excellent. Actually at Slots Of Fun and Casino Royale where they also had dollar craps the service was good, so I think from my experience your advice worked on where to go to get good drink service.Looking forward on returning to Vegas in January. Keep up the good work on the newsletter as I look forward to seeing it.It was great to meet Steve and his wife. He was telling me how bad cocktail service had been in the nickel areas of various casinos. Turns out that he was often playing the nickel games “loaded” (full coins in — couldn’t get good enough cocktail service to get loaded the other way). Some of those nickel machines take 45 coins ($2.25) a pull and nickel machines are generally the tightest in the casino (letting you win the least).

I noted the simple fact that nickel areas often get the worst cocktail service because nickel players have the reputation for being the worst tippers. Don’t blame the messenger here. That is the perception of cocktail waitresses who work the casino floor day in and day out. I suggested that instead he move up to quarter or even dollar machines.

You can play many quarter machines loaded for 3-5 quarters, and some dollar machines are loaded at $2. This gives you a much better shot at great cocktail service, you are actually playing less per pull than nickels loaded, and the higher denomination machines are usually looser! Of course, tipping the waitress $1 each time doesn’t hurt (which he had already been doing). Speaking of, check out our new In-Depth Tipping Guide.

Gulf Coast Question - Message board member “GulfCoast” is headed here with his wife this fall from the Panama City, Florida area and is wondering if he should fly out of there, Pensacola, or even Atlanta. I know we have readers in the great Southeast and Gulf Coast regions (and we are hoping many of you aren’t harmed by the approaching Lili). Help a neighbor out by letting them know which city you fly here out of in our Travel Questions/Trip Suggestions forum.

Watching The Fireworks - Message board member “me me” asked us about a good place to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks. Read our suggestions or tell us where you watched them from in years past at our New Year’s Eve forum. Check out our Las Vegas New Year’s Eve page to see what all the fuss is about New Year’s here with photos and free streaming video.

Buffets - The buffet discussion is getting hot and heavy in the forums. If you are a new visitor, stop by and get some great opinions. And if you have been here … co’mon … you know you hit a couple of buffets. Good or bad, go for it in our Interactive Information Forums (message boards). Get on board!

Live From Las Vegas,

Ted Newkirk

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

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All contents copyright 2002 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
October 2, 2002 ISSN: 1529-2770