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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, visit our Newsletter Site.

This Issue: Dirk Arthur: The New Art of Magic

Also In This Issue – February 26, 2003: Newkirk’s Notes, Hotel/Show Giveaway, News Of Interest To Tourists, Hiking – Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas Golf Club

 

 

 

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• 4 passes to Molly’s Buffet at Fitzgeralds
• 6 CD Box Set of Larry G. Jones plus video

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Las Vegas News: Of Interest To Tourists

Megabucks Will Be World Record – Nevada Megabucks is currently at $34,955,600 and will continue to increase until someone wins it. That lucky person will also become part of history in the next edition of The Guinness Book of Records. Read More …

Fire Safety – In light of the tragic Rhode Island fire, many wonder how safe entertainment activities are. Especially in Las Vegas where many production shows use pyro and so many concerts and events roll through town. Clark County (Las Vegas) has 35 inspectors handling the roughly 200 special events that apply for the use of pyrotechnics. Paperwork is filled out weeks in advance and inspectors preview all effects. The depth of the staff insures that someone is on hand no matter what time of day an event happens.

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity – NASCAR’s UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 invades the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend and the event has been sold out for weeks. No ticket? Stuck home? Note the 11:30 AM Pacific start time and tune to your local Fox station. The best way to get to the race? Take the Cat Ride Race Shuttle (run by our local public bus service). This is the only way to go, as these busses use special routes that get you to the speedway in 45 minutes. I’m rooting for home-town boy #97 but the #2 is a sentimental favorite.

Rio Abrupt Cocktail Change – When the Rio opened, it was famous for beautiful, young cocktail waitresses in outfits that weren’t much more than a one-piece thong swimsuit. Now they are scrapping the entire cocktail staff to hire drink servers who will perform singing and dancing choreographed routines throughout the gaming area.

Some feel this is a way to get rid of cocktail waitresses who may not look at good in the skimpy outfits as they did a decade ago. Others see it as part of a bigger world-wide resort trend toward performing bartenders and waitresses. You can read The Rio’s press release and let us know what you think in our Rio Replaces Cocktail Servers forum. Think this will fly? Sound like a good change or will you miss the current waitresses? Let us know!

Ticket Advice – We often get asked how to get tickets to the very popular shows like “O”, Mystere, Siegfried and Roy, Blue Man Group, and Danny Gans. Yes we have them (at face value). Yes, they go very quickly. The key is to buy well in advance, but keep this in mind: some tickets are not released for sale more than three months ahead.

Our advice? Once your travel dates are set in stone, visit our Las Vegas Shows page and check availability. If that hard-to-get show has tickets available, buy them. If not available yet, keep checking back every few days and specifically 85-90 days before your visit. Most Las Vegas shows are now reserved seating, so even if you aren’t trying for a tough ticket, buying in advance often insures better seats.

Cook E. Ain’t No Rookie – Infamous club and lounge performer Cook E. Jarr is back at his Harrah’s Carnival Court gig midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Cook’s 30′th birthday is probably a couple decades behind him, but his audience keeps getting younger.We were at the outdoor venue Friday night as he played to a packed bar area and ripped through both “old school” and recent dance and R & B favorites in his inimitable style.

The dance floor was packed and while the crowd skews younger, no age group is out of place. With the weather warming up, Cook E. Jarr is a party worth checking out. Plus, the Carnival Court bartenders are some of the better “flair” bartenders around. Check out our Cook E. Jarr Carnival Court photo section.

$5000 Palms Bingo Cash Giveaway – The Key West room at the Palms Resort offers bingo every Thursday: March 6,13, 20 and 27. Session times are 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Palms bingo players will receive an entry at each March session to win part of a $5,000 cash giveaway. The drawings for the $5,000 cash giveaway will be held at every session on Thursday, March 27, yielding 28 lucky winners. Read More …

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You Are Reading This – and so are over 30,000 others who love Las Vegas, travel, gambling, dining, shopping and enjoying life. People like you who own and use computers and the internet and are more likely to have higher income and education levels. People who enjoy finding information and purchasing products online. Sound good? We now offer advertising in this newsletter! Click For Advertising Details

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Featured Review: Dirk Arthur: The New Art of Magic

If Dirk Arthur’s name rings a bell, you may have seen the Bally’s Marquee over the past decade. Dirk was a featured act in Jubilee! and had his name in lights on the Las Vegas Strip. I’d seen him in the show, and he is good. His move to headlining status at The Silverton left people wondering if he could carry a show by himself and others wondering where The Silverton was!In an era with more shows than ever, trying their luck in just about every location and hotel you can try a show, it appears that Arthur’s gamble paid off. The Silverton’s showroom isn’t a converted lounge, but a full-sized, comfortable venue holding perhaps 400-500 people (my guess) and Dirk is filling it up on a consistent basis.

The show is aptly named The New Art Of Magic because Dirk’s specialties are huge scale illusions, the kind you often see with Lance Burton or David Copperfield. He levitates a Lamborghini and makes it vanish in mid-air. He puts a twist on the “saw the lady in half” by cutting her into nine pieces. He has an industrial size drill pierce right through him. And he makes white tigers vanish and switch places. Read More …

Featured Tour: Hiking – Red Rock Canyon

Hiking – Red Rock Canyon – We provide the transportation, water, and an interpretive guide. You choose from a selection of three of our favorite hikes in Red Rock, the White Rock/Willow Springs loop, Calico Hills, or Ice Box Canyon. For all hiking proficiency levels. Lunch is included. Additional Tours Including Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, City, Scenic, National Parks, and Adventure

Featured Golf Course:
Las Vegas Golf Club

Las Vegas Golf Club – A traditional favorite of Las Vegas, this layout provides a great environment for all golfers. One of the oldest courses in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Golf Club features numerous trees and is just a few minutes from the strip. 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. Include your city — we have readers worldwide!

See you on the boards!

Live From Las Vegas,

Ted Newkirk

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

Registering for the boards is simple. Plus, it has a side benefit: When you return, you can click one place and get a customized list of all new threads, posts, and news releases right at your fingertips. We don’t put you on a list or send you unwanted info. Simply go to the boards and click on the “Register” button on the upper right hand side.

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.
February 26, 2003 ISSN: 1529-2770

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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

Shows | Headliners | Tours | Dining | Golf | Rental Cars | Airfare | Packages

Print Out This Number! – Call (toll free) 866-828-9849 x143 to book all hotels, shows, tours, golf, and dining reservations. Bring number to Las Vegas for last minute reservations too! (New reservations only. Existing reservations use contact information given when reserving. Online room deals must be booked online).

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

Hello from Las Vegas! We wish many of you well who are digging out of severe winter storms. We had two straight days of much needed rain last week but it is back to sunny with mid-60 F temperatures.

Although this is a feedback issue, I wanted to mention this great show for a great cause this weekend. If you live local, or will be in town, what a great way to see many of Las Vegas’ top stars on one stage!

David Saxe Productions presents the 1st annual ALL-STAR LAS VEGAS SHOW with all proceeds benefiting the ALS Association Nevada Chapter, the only not-for-profit voluntary health organization in Nevada that provides direct, hands-on assistance to those suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Please purchase your tickets today to see many of Las Vegas’ finest entertainers perform together on one stage and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to help those suffering from ALS. Tickets purchased for this charity show are tax deductible.WHERE: Venetian Hotel
WHEN: Saturday, February 22nd 2003
COCKTAILS: 4:00 p.m. Each ticket includes one free cocktail
SHOW TIME: 5:00 p.m. $50.00 BALCONY, $75.00 MAIN FLOOR, $100.00 VIP
BOX OFFICE: (702) 933-4230
ONLINE SALES: www.vtheshow.com/als
SPECIAL APPEARANCES BY: The Cast of “V – The Ultimate Variety Show,” Clint Holmes, Bill Acosta, “Stars” of Showgirls, Ronn Lucas, Amazing Johnathan, and many more … 100% of revenue goes to The ALS Association Nevada Chapter

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* Book by: March 6, 2003 Travel Dates: March 4, 2003 – March 27, 2003

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Reader Feedback

Message Board Member “princess_teensy” wrote:

I’m so excited! 2 girlfriends and I are coming to Vegas and staying at the MGM Grand for a week! We are flying from Michigan. I have done quite a bit of online research, but sometimes it’s nice to get REAL opinions from people on what to do, etc.

We’ll gamble some, but really want to take in a show or two and tour the hotels, etc. We look forward to putting the diets aside and just living it up. I want to dance ’till my socks melt! Any tips for 3 women who want to burn the candle at both ends, swim and sun, see the sights and live it up?? Thanks!

We have quite the active discussion going on in our Coming to VEGAS for the first time thread in the forums. Co’mon ladies … spill the dirt for her. If you come to Las Vegas for “girls night out” or that bachelorette party, this is the place to talk about it.

When you register for the boards, we even keep your email private. (People can email you only through our system — we don’t post your actual email address). Past that, you are anonymous and choose whatever “screen name” you want!

Mardie Fehl of Wexford, PA wrote:

I have been receiving your newsletter for several years now and I find it to be very informative. My husband and I travel to Las Vegas twice a year and I am always prints bits and pieces of the letter. Even though we have been traveling there for seven years … the info in the news letter always comes in handy.

Thanks for the kind words. One of the great things about the internet is the ability to hit the print button! I do the very same when I travel, even bringing the pages on the plane with me to review activities and get all pumped up for the trip.

If you check out our main AccessVegas.Com page, you will see we have a new site design which will soon encompass every page of our site. One of the key factors with this redesign is that is is both more “printer friendly” and WebTV friendly.

Message Board Member “jayowen” wrote:

My wife and I have just returned to England after our 4th visit to Las Vegas in the last 5 years and I thought you may be interested in our opinions of some of the restaurants we visited this time.

He went on to write a great dining related trip report detailing Bootlegger Bistro, Sahara Sunday Champagne Brunch, Postrio (in The Venetian), Mon Ami Gabi (at Paris Las Vegas), Red Square at (Mandalay Bay), and the Rosewood Grille. Well worth the read. If you have visited any of the above, be sure to share your thoughts (agree or disagree).

In the same vein, the famed Robb Report (high end lifestyle publication) recently named Las Vegas “America’s most exquisite dining destination.” We, along with partners ChefLive.Com are looking at launching a monthly newsletter devoted to Las Vegas dining and we’ll keep you abreast. If you have any thoughts or comments on what the dining newsletter should focus on, hit us with a line: allvegastv@aol.com

Message Board Member “Laree” wrote:

I have no problem with other people smoking, and I know it is part of the gambling seen, but I myself prefer not to play where the smoke is so thick that I smell like smoke after 3 showers. Here on the east coast the only thing I can find is a few sets of machines and/or tables with a no smoking sign, but the neighbor tables and machines are for smokers. Does anybody know of any strip casinos (even off strip) where there is a legitimate nonsmoking area? Thanks!

Now that neighboring state California and many cities in the U.S. have outlawed smoking in public indoor places, some non-smokers are becoming increasingly aware that Las Vegas is a “smoke ‘em if you got ‘em” state. The newer hotels with their high ceilings and state-of-the-art ventilation have done a pretty good job at combating this issue. If you patronize a Las Vegas hotel because of their cleaner air or dedicated non-smoking section, share your thoughts about Non-Smoking Gaming.

Vernice J KIdd wrote:

I have read many reviews about the Imperial Palace – mostly bad. I am planning a trip to Vegas in May. I have stayed at the Flamingo Hilton and understand it is not that caliber. I am interested in an affordable hotel, AND CLEAN, ESPECIALLY THE BATHROOM AND CARPET. Please Advise.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The Imperial Palace is basically a Motel 6 (slightly better) caliber rooms with an incredible location at a very reasonable price. Many come to Las Vegas and only see their room when they are sleeping so they don’t care.

You are almost asking the impossible because hotels have cleaning and renovation schedules and you may be put in a room that was just gone over, or one that is wearing a bit. A basic rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for. They don’t call it Caesars Palace for nothing! No matter where you stay, always avail yourself of the opportunity to complain if you feel your room has issues with cleanliness.

Message Board Member “patsy” wrote:

I am planning a trip to Vegas. And we are planning on staying at the Boardwalk Hotel. How is this Hotel??

Like the Imperial Palace, the Boardwalk has a great location and reasonably modest prices, a lower limit gaming, and plenty of free lounge entertainment. If you have stayed there, help Patsy (and all the other readers) by posting the good or the bad of Boardwalk and other hotels on our Las Vegas Strip Hotels board. This is your chance to make your voice heard!

Message Board Member “poolplayer” wrote:

I’ve heard a lot about the Green Valley Ranch, one of the new hotels in Las Vegas. But can’t seem to find it on the map. I know its off the strip aways and was wondering how to get there. Do they have a trolley or is a cab ride in our future???

You are looking at a cab ride. Better yet, rent a car for the day (or your stay) as the cab ride round trip will run you what a day of rental car will cost. Las Vegas is thought to be The Strip surrounded by a few dumpy apartments and the desert, but in reality 1.5 million people live in the Las Vegas area and it is quite spread out.

Green Valley is one of the nicer parts of town, located 10+ miles southeast of The Strip. For those with a car, you can find Green Valley Ranch by heading south on The Strip past Mandalay Bay, past the Las Vegas sign, and to the “beltway”, also known as 215. Head east on the beltway (freeway) for about 6 miles and you can’t miss Green Valley Ranch to the right. Take the next exit called “Green Valley Parkway.”

If you have visited or stayed at Green Valley Ranch, give us your thoughts in our Green Valley Ranch forum.

Richie wrote:

Well Ted, here’s and idea to check the mileage of those rip off taxi drivers out there.. and save the passenger money. I do this when ever I go on a trip… go to Mapquest before your trip and put in the address values of where you are going to go, to and from. Print them along with turn by turn directions, then bring them with you and tell the taxi driver to follow these directions on the route, exactly. The print out also gives the precise mileage of each destination figured.

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Taste the World’s Best Wines and get FREE Wine and Wine Accessories! Click here to learn how. http://mocda.com/1/c/22838/87277/245804/245804

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See you on the boards!

Live From Las Vegas,

Ted Newkirk

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

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. Include your city — we have readers worldwide!

Registering for the boards is free and simple. Plus, it has a side benefit: When you return, you can click one place and get a customized list of all new threads, posts, and news releases right at your fingertips. We don’t put you on a list or send you unwanted info. Simply go to the boards and click on the “Register” button on the upper right hand side.

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.
February 19, 2002 ISSN: 1529-2770

All material in this message is protected by US Federal Copyright law. All Rights Reserved.

Comments Off

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

Shows | Headliners | Tours | Dining | Golf | Rental Cars | Airfare | Packages

Print Out This Number! – Call (toll free) 800-696-5721 x143 to book all hotels, shows, tours, golf, and dining reservations. Bring number to Las Vegas for last minute reservations too! (New reservations only. Existing reservations use contact information given when reserving. Online room deals must be booked online).

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

Hello from Las Vegas! A strong wind blew through town Sunday morning blowing our warm weather somewhere else. Low to mid 50′s this week. Hey … we don’t have lake effect snow! Curious about our monthly average temperatures? Check out our Weather FAQ.

Las Vegas News: Of Interest To Tourists

Megabucks – The second-largest slot jackpot in gaming history is still up for grabs at 158 Nevada casinos. The current jackpot is over $30,000,000 and continues to increase. The only slot jackpot total larger than this is the world-record $34.9 million Megabucks jackpot that was hit at the Desert Inn on the Las Vegas Strip in January 2000. Read More …

Valentine’s Day With Tony and Tina’s Wedding – On February 14, 2003 the Rio All-Suite Hotel is offering free admission to brides and grooms with Valentine’s Day wedding licenses to “Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding,” the second longest running show in Off-Broadway history. Read More …

Playboy Playmates Promote Playmate Slots – On Saturday, February 22, from 6-7:30 p.m., Imperial Palace will host September 1998 Playmate Vanessa Gleason and January 1996 Playmate Victoria Fuller as they sign autographs and hand out limited edition Playboy Slots T-shirts to guests who play the new Playboy Slots! Read More …

Temptations, Celine Join Legends – Two new acts have joined Legends In Concert:

The five performers that make up TRIBUTE have almost 100 years of entertainment experience among them, including working collectively or individually with the likes of The Jackson Five, James Brown, Lou Rawls, The O’Jays and the Indigos. Read More …

She is on “top of the world” now! Brigitte Valdez brings her amazing Celine Dion tribute center-”Strip,” joining the world-famous “Legends In Concert” multi-million-dollar live celebrity spectacular at Imperial Palace Las Vegas. Read More …

Craftsteak Honored With Epicurean Award – Craftsteak, MGM Grand’s newest restaurant, was named “Best New Restaurant” in Las Vegas at the 2003 Epicurean Awards. This is the second consecutive year that an MGM Grand restaurant was bestowed this honor. NOBHILL received the same award in 2002 proving MGM Grand has established itself as a formidable dining destination. Read More …

Hypnotist Terry Stokes – You may have seen him at the Calgary Stampede, State Fairs, or other venues all over the world. We saw him last night, and while our review won’t run for a few weeks, this is one show worth taking the 5 minute walk off The Strip to the Bourbon St. Hotel to go see. Read More …

CCSN’s 8th Annual Wine Tasting – Wine, Spirits, non-alcoholic specialty drinks served in souvenir glasses and a cornucopia of hors d’oeuvres will be presented, and featured artists’ work will be displayed. Live Jazz by Woody Woods Quartet. Silent auction gifts include round trip airline tickets for two, shows, dinners, and golfing at major golf courses in the Las Vegas area, and vacation packages. Read More …

Las Vegas Commerce – If you live here and do any kind of internet related business (or your business sells online), let me urge you to join the Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce. No cost, and a great opportunity to network with others in Las Vegas who actually know how to turn on a computer.

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, shows,  tours, 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.

Featured Review: Sixtiesmania Rocks The Castaways

By David Berman
dberman@concentric.net

Every decade can be characterized by the music of the era, music that we often feel nostalgia for because of the events in our lives at the times specific tunes were popular. And few decades were as rich as the 1960s. You could start and end with The Beatles, of course, and that would almost be enough to make the ‘60s unforgettable.

But there were many others who burst upon the scene to enrich the lives of those who lived through the decade, including The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, and so many others whose “greatest hits” still resonate today.

A group called Sixtiesmania, currently performing in The Castaways’ Windjammer Lounge, exploits and celebrates the music of the ‘60s in a way that is building audiences so fast that many nights are standing-room only.

Sixtiesmania is not just a band; it is a SHOWBAND presenting a two-and-a-half-hour review that spans the decade through the use of multimedia, dancing, many costume changes, near-perfect impressions of legendary performers, and excellent musicianship which does not rely on lip-synching or recorded soundtracks. Read More …

Featured Tour: Hoover Dam Tour (Suburban or Jeep)

Hoover Dam Tour (Suburban or Jeep) – This tour offers ample time for exploring this National Historic Landmark and engineering wonder of the world. See live presentations, a fascinating film on the Dam’s construction and history, exhibit gallery, observation deck, and venture down to the observation room in the power plant to view the massive generators. Additional Tours Including Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, City, Scenic, National Parks, and Adventure

Featured Golf Course:
Desert Rose Golf Course

Desert Rose Golf Course – Desert Rose offers an alternative to the higher green fees of the Las Vegas’ premiere resort golf courses. Located 15 minutes from the Las Vegas Boulevard, Desert Rose is easily accessible and will satisfy your golfing needs. Designed by Joe Lee and Dick Wilson, who also designed Doral, the course annually hosts the Clark County Amateur. Palm trees, water hazards and bunkers decorate the 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 help or write us a “letter to the editor” at allvegastv@aol.com. Include your city — we have readers worldwide!

See you on the boards!

Live From Las Vegas,

Ted Newkirk

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

Registering for the boards is simple. Plus, it has a side benefit: When you return, you can click one place and get a customized list of all new threads, posts, and news releases right at your fingertips. We don’t put you on a list or send you unwanted info. Simply go to the boards and click on the “Register” button on the upper right hand side.

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.
February 5, 2003 ISSN: 1529-2770

We are “reprint friendly” to other websites and newsletters — please do ask if you would like to use our news, reviews, or contents from our websites. All material in this message is protected by US Federal Copyright law. All Rights Reserved.

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