AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

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

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AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials Las Vegas Hotels Las Vegas Shows Headliners and Concerts Limos, Airport Transfers Local Business Directory Easy Vegas Deals Access Vegas Twitter Feed Access Vegas Myspace Page

Featured Shows Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular Blue Man Group Jersey Boys Photos and Wallpaper Las Vegas Photos (Send A Free E-Card!)

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

Hello From Las Vegas! No question we are in a different climate zone than most of the U.S. Our own I.T. guy Robert works out of Northwest Alabama and is expecting a winter wonderland. Snow may stretch from the deep south up through New York, Boston, and beyond. Here in Las Vegas? We’re looking at temps in the 70’s (F) for the week and finally (hopefully) a break in the partly cloudy weather we’ve had most of February.

Dixie’s Dam Bar Re-Opens At Hooters – We continually hear your feedback loud and strong. You have no interest in going to an ultra-club and paying hundreds of dollars for a bottle of booze just to be able to sit at a table and look impressive for a few hours. Hooters Hotel Casino agrees!

Taking a page out of Coyote Ugly, the bartenders are called “Dixie’s Dancing Divas” and both pour the booze and dance to tunes from the jukebox. No bottle service but you can buy a mini-keg of beer for your table. Tables and booths are first come, first served and they note you better check your attitude at the door. There is a $20 cover. Worth it? We’ll tell you first-hand in a couple of weeks as we’re getting ready to do a photo-feature on the place.

No $15 Martini’s Or $90 Steaks Here – So says the owners of the brand new M Resort Casino opening in the very south part of Las Vegas over the weekend. Although the M is very much a Strip resort caliber property, it is family owned and they have been emphatic that they are going to do things old-school Vegas when it comes to both prices and customer service.

Their staff was hired on the basis of friendly, out-going personalities. Prices even at their high-end restaurants are going to be moderate. (Think more in terms of downtown pricing, not Vegas strip even though their rooftop fine-dining venue will have one of the best views in town). Drink stations throughout the casino promise complimentary coffee and soft drinks to everyone.

Is it worth checking out? We’ll let you know soon. Mark is headed down to do a photo-feature which should run in the next couple of weeks. We’ll find out if they have a free shuttle to and from The Strip as well. If they hold to their promises, everyone should make a point to visit and do some gambling and eating just to reward them for getting back to reasonable prices and a focus on the customer.

Cook E. Jarr Still Going Strong – Every once in a while, we get asked if Las Vegas legend Cook E. Jarr is still playing. Yes, still playing and yes, still worth checking out. Catch him at Harrah’s Carnival Court on Friday and Saturday Nights from 6-8 PM. Jimmy Kimmel once said “If you haven’t seen Cook E. Jarr, you haven’t been to Vegas.” I agree. More info at cookejarr.com

Hugo’s Cellar – A recent review of this venerable long-time Las Vegas fine dining establishment at the Four Queens brought it to my mind for the first time in years. Hugo’s Cellar has received raves from visitors for decades. With the demise of the Center Stage restaurant (Plaza) and The Burgundy Room (Lady Luck), Hugo’s Cellar soldiers on as an excellent slice of Las Vegas the way it used to be.

Cheap? Not really (check out their menu). But well worth it. Fine dining downtown on more of a budget? Check out The Flame Steakhouse (formerly Roberta’s) at the El Cortez.

Party Like A Local, With The Locals – Blue Martini in Town Square (about a mile south of Mandalay Bay) is offering local industry professionals a 50% discount from 11 PM to 5 AM, 7 nights a week. Jobs are tough to find, but if you live here (or are hell-bent on moving here despite the economy), getting a job is often all about who you know. This ongoing promotion is open to everybody (must be an industry professional with ID get the 50% off). Might be a good place to start networking.

Get Out Of Town! – Many of you have been reading our newsletter and visiting Las Vegas for years, and you’ve always thought about taking the day to see some of the gorgeous Desert Southwest scenery.

If coming in the next 2-3 months, this is the perfect time to do it! Temps will be neither too hot nor too cold and if you get lucky, you’ll catch the desert in springtime bloom. (No, we can’t predict when that will happen. It varies each year due to weather conditions).

Even if you only want to spend half a day, see Red Rock Canyon or Hoover Dam. Both are less than 45 minutes from The Strip. Hoover Dam is amazing. Even if you have seen it on TV and think you have no interest, you’ll be blown away. Pictures don’t to the size and scope of it justice.

Zion National Park

Have a full day? Zion National Park in Utah is about three hours away and will take your breath away. Take a virtual ride via Google. Closer to Las Vegas, the Valley Of Fire state park will make you feel like you are driving across the surface of Mars.

Valley Of Fire State Park

You don’t need to rent a car for your entire stay. Crack open the phone book in your hotel, and you’ll find that many of the major car rental companies have locations in hotels (and you avoid paying the airport taxes and fees when you rent).

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

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Rock Icon Paul McCartney To Headline Grand Opening Weekend At The New Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas – The legendary Paul McCartney will headline grand opening weekend of The New Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on Sunday, April 19. (Tickets) “I’m looking forward to Rockin’ The Joint!” said Paul McCartney. “We are honored to have the multi-Grammy award winning artist and rock legend, Paul McCartney, launch us into a new era of rock ‘n’ roll at the all new Joint concert venue scheduled to open at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in April,” said Randy Kwasniewski, President and COO of Morgans Hotel Group Las Vegas and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Click to Read The Full Story …

Comedian Vinnie Favorito Ups The Ante At Flamingo Las Vegas – Favorito Extends His Run With A Three-Year Contract – After continued success performing at Flamingo Las Vegas, comedian and celebrity roaster Vinnie Favorito has announced that he will extend his run for an additional three years. (Tickets) Favorito’s edgy, in-your-face style of comedy has made him a favorite among Las Vegas locals and tourists alike. “Anyone coming to Vinnie’s show should check their humility at the door, no one and no topic is off limits in his theater,” said Don Marrandino, President of Flamingo Las Vegas. “Vinnie never does the same show twice and audience members will never forget their turn in the hot seat, it’s a wild show.” Click to Read The Full Story …

Country Rock Legend Kenny Chesney To Play The New Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Saturday, April 25 – Country great Kenny Chesney will be bringing his Sun City Carnival 2009 Tour to Las Vegas this spring and will be joined by Miranda Lambert & Lady Antebellum. (Tickets) Chesney will play The New Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Saturday, April 25. Following his Poets & Pirates Tour – the most attended tour in any genre of music for 2008 according to Pollstar – the man who’s already sold out the home of the New England Patriots, Boston’s Gillette Stadium, in less than 10 minutes is looking to pick up the tempo, rock a little harder and increase the fun, friends and music. Click to Read The Full Story …

The OASIS Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch – The Oasis Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch is back every Sunday, 11a to 2p, at Panevino Ristorante. (Sunset Road one block of Las Vegas Blvd. literally 5 minutes from Mandalay Bay with a nice view of The Strip in the distance). Treat yourself to a glass of Korbel California Champagne, a delicious brunch and live Smooth Jazz! Call Panevino Ristorante for reservations at 222-2400.

“Hit Man: David Foster And Friends” In Concert At Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, May 9 – Back by popular demand, a concert celebration featuring music’s premier songwriter and producer David Foster will take place Saturday, May 9 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (Tickets). The event will pay tribute to the 15-time Grammy winner and will feature Philip Bailey from the chart-topping band Earth, Wind & Fire, Brian McKnight, Peter Cincotti and Oprah Winfrey’s protégé, Charice. Foster also will perform some of the hits he has written or produced during his 40-year musical career.. The event is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.Click to Read The Full Story….

Junior Welterweight Championship Fight To Take Place Saturday, May 2 At MGM Grand – Two of boxing’s biggest stars will meet in the ring for what could be the year’s biggest pay-per-view event. Five-division world champion MANNY “Pac Man” PACQUIAO and Ring Magazine and IBO World Junior Welterweight champion RICKY “The Hitman” HATTON, will fight for Hatton’s World Junior Welterweight titles Saturday, May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. (Tickets) These two boxing artists will have a 20′ x 20′ canvas on which to paint the black and blue masterpiece that the world has been waiting to watch. Click to Read The Full Story …

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Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Our last issue garnered a couple of very different responses, both of which have merit. For review: I’ve been quite emphatic over the past few months regarding the overblown national and international news accounts that would suggest that Las Vegas is on the verge of demise as a tourist destination. I culminated last week with a published report that Las Vegas was still the #1 U.S. visitor destination and would likely continue.

Responses ranged from those who say “OK, your point is made, move on” to those sharing their excitement about Las Vegas and plans to continue to enjoy the destination. What follows are two very divergent letters in response to last week:

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I absolutely love your newsletter for all the information that it provides and all of your insights. However, I do have a little bone to pick with you. You do not have to constantly remind us of how great Las Vegas is and that we should all ignore the gloom and doom that is in the news media. You are preaching to the choir. We get, and read your newsletter because we are interested in the goings on in LV. Stop cheerleading for LV. People will come because we like it there.

If the economy is terrible, well, people will still come, maybe just not as many. LV doesn’t have to be #1 to make it fun to come to. Too much of your editorial is spent on making sure that everyone knows that LV is great and that anybody who says it’s not doesn’t know what they are talking about. Yeah us!!! We get it. Please keep up the great work in informing us of the goings on in Vegas.

There is not a better source available on the web.

Kip Abelson

Ted Responds:

Your point is very well taken and I appreciate the constructive criticism. And we will be moving some of the “how is Las Vegas doing” to the new segment at the end of the newsletter. W

Yes, we have many long-time loyal readers are already sold on Las Vegas and very appreciative of the continued support of our newsletter. But, please keep in mind that we have a churn of readers with new readers all the time, many planning their first visit (or considering planning a visit here). They are truly under the impression that Las Vegas is a dying destination and perhaps they aren’t sure if they want to visit.

Yes, many you would visit regardless of how popular the city is as a destination. But… many first-time visitors (which are the backbone of tourism growth here) visit because Las Vegas is #1 and popular and feel that they should check it out if that many other people are interested in it. Similar to a restaurant or book or popular music artist that people check out because of the buzz. Because the restaurant got a top grade or the book or music artist is #1.

I’ve also emailed journalists and posted on blogs which have propagated the Vegas is dying stories to educate them on how tourism numbers have little to do with the local housing situation (or even our stagnant population growth). I’ve been somewhat of a lone voice on this, but am pleased to report that these types of stories have greatly diminished in the national media and I’d like to think that I played a pretty significant role in that.

Bottom Line: I do appreciate the patience you and other readers have shown with this. The nice thing about our newsletter is you can scan right over a section that isn’t of interest to you, but the continued Vegas is still #1 has obviously been reaching the targeted readers (new visitors and journalists).

As winter turns into Spring, we’re already headed out stronger than ever with our traditional coverage of all that Las Vegas has to offer and back to a 100% focus on the fun and the deals.

Once again, thanks for reading and thanks for the input.

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I found this newsletter about a year ago and I really enjoy to read all the news about Las Vegas every time!

At the end of may I will visit Las Vegas again for 3 weeks! I try to do this every year (to be honest, it’s the only reason for me to go to work). We had the first snow this year October 31st and today it’s still snowing. We do have tons and tons of snow and even can’t go outside with the car. Also the last few ’summers’ were not the best. The last really great summer we had was back in 2003.

I usually travel alone (nobody else stays for 3 weeks in Vegas) and my friends from Switzerland visit me and then travel to other places. This year my boss is in San Francisco and will drive with the car to Vegas for one week. And later another couple visits Vegas for 3 days and we will meet.

Last year I was staying at the Luxor in a tower room. It was so great there that I will stay there again this year. It’s also never a problem to book for such a long time. People here in Switzerland usually stay for 3-4 days in town and then drive or fly away. Back at home they jump in another airplane a travel to a Greek or Spain island and lay in the sun at the beach. That makes no sense for me. I can do all this in Vegas too. The pool areas are so great and relaxing.

Of course I was on several islands in Europe too, but when I went to Vegas the first time in 1998 it was clear for me: that’s the town I will return as often as I can, and it’s every time the best time of the year I have.

I can’t tell you how much I look forward to may 28th when the plane starts!!! There are so much more things to do in Vegas than the Casinos. I travel with empty suitcases and buy as much as I can carry. Then the Motorspeedway is a must too! We also like to walk a lot or drive to Arizona or Utah and visit the National parks. This area is also very interesting. Sometimes I think 3 weeks is not enough….

Barbara Eichhorn from Switzerland

Ted Responds:

Thanks for the great letter! Sometimes, new readers (who have never been to Las Vegas) will write and say “We are coming for three days… what should we see?” I politely tell them that they could stay for a month and not run out of things to do or see as there is plenty for almost every interest. Simply reading our newsletter is the best way to find out what is currently happening.

May is a great month to be here as our 100 degree (F) temps generally have not hit yet, but it no longer gets cold at night. Every day is a perfect day to hang out by the pool or go see some of the amazing scenery of the beautiful Southwest U.S. and every night is perfect for strolling in the neon or taking in a show.

Thanks again for reading and telling your friends. We have a very loyal international readership base (about 25% of our readers) and are very appreciative of the time and effort it takes to visit us regardless of what part of the globe you transverse to get here.

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

• Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!
• Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

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More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

• Tower Of Power, ‘Motown’s Soul Band’ Coming To The Orleans Showroom March 6-8

  Tower of Power Tickets

• Terry Fator Store Opens At The Mirage

  Terry Fator Tickets

• MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris Welcomes Kristal D’Arc, The First American Dancer To Join The Prestigious Troupe

  Crazy Horse Paris Tickets

• ‘Come On Get Happy!’ – The Cowsills Coming To Suncoast Showroom March 6-8

  The Cowsills Tickets

• Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular Offers First Ever Talk-Back Workshops For Student Groups

  Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular Tickets

• Envy The Steakhouse Serves Up Music And Mimosas With Sunday Brunch Featuring Pianist Wes Winters

• MGM Mirage Partners With NASCAR For The 2009 Shelby 427 Las Vegas Race Week – Autograph Sessions Highlight 2009 NASCAR Event

• ElevenSpa Brings Hollywood Glamour To Las Vegas

• Upcoming Events At Krave Gay Nightclub Las Vegas

• Terrible’s Primm valley Casino Resorts Is ‘Doin’ It Well’ With Hip-Hop Icon LL Cool J Feb. 11

• Exhibit Brings Call To Arms To Winchester Gallery – Chad Brown’s ‘Your Move’ Opens Feb. 17

• John Huntington Set To Open High End Tattoo Lounge Inside The Palms Casino Resort

• Come Together For “Fab Thursdays” At Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel

• Children’s Heart Foundation Presents 6th Annual Walk With The Heart Of A Child Saturday, February 28, 2009 At Fashion Show Mall

• Studio At The Palms Continues To Be At The Forefront Of Technology Offering Immediate, Live Content To Patrons

• “Louis Prima, That’s My Dad!” Starring Lena Prima At Cannery Casino & Hotel

• Juicy Couture Opens New Retail Location In The Forum Shops At Caesars

• The Village And Buckbean Brewing Company Host First-Ever Village Craft Beer Festival Saturday, March 14

• Skylofts, First-Time Winner, And Joël Robuchon At MGM Grand Shine Brightly With 2009 Mobil Five-Star Honors

• M Resort, Spa And Casino Officials Unveil Taste Of Food And Beverage Offerings

• Elton’s Piano Leaving Las Vegas

  Elton John The Red Piano Tickets

• Paul McCartney books The New Joint gig

  Paul McCartney Tickets

• Cher says she’s living `like a nun’ in Vegas

  Cher Tickets

• ‘Folies’ doing what it can with limited resources as it limps to the end

  Folies Bergere Tickets

• Danny Gans starting new chapter in his career at Encore

  Danny Gans Tickets

• Gordie Brown stays busy with Nugget return

  Gordie Brown Tickets

• Ventriloquist Terry Fator talks about his puppets on the eve of his new Mirage show

  Terry Fator Tickets

• Bellagio home to world famous pastry chef (with video)

• Nevada ranks bottom in nursing shortage (with video)

• SCasinos losing millions over bad gambling debts (with video)

• Foreclosure Crisis Hitting Condo Renters (With Video)

• 50 Year Anniversary of Historic Endurance Flight (with video)

• Station Casinos Seeks Restructuring Support (with video)

• Stigma attached to Las Vegas business trips? (with video)

• Conventions Mean Big Business for Las Vegas (with video)

• Meet Java the leopard at The Mirage (with video)

• Renters Hurt from Foreclosures (with video)

• Money for high speed train could soon be coming to Las Vegas (with video)

• Fewer conventions having ripple effect on other businesses (with video)

• S.I.’s sexy cover girl flying high (with video)

• Vegas airport- Fewer passengers in 2008 than 2005

• Nevada lawmaker proposes Vegas brothels

• City council approves downtown Vegas casino plans

• Critic’s former doctor keeps it in the family at The Sicilian Caffe

• Economists Urge Support For Yucca Mountain Site

• Hard Rock Tops Second Tower

• January’s unemployment rate of 7.6% is a 17 year high

• Sports betting in Las Vegas on the Super Bowl declines

• Las Vegas is one long happy hour

• Vegas giving royal deals during downturn

• Mayor of Las Vegas pushes downtown project

• Ensign wants more tax breaks for businesses in stimulus plan

• Developers of condominiums are renting instead of selling

• Tower Rising in Las Vegas but Now, Not So High

• Mayor Goodman defends misunderstood Vegas against bully Obama

• Vegas water pipeline discussed

• Siegfried & Roy prepare to say farewell to Vegas

• Five-month bowling event may pump $100 million into Las Vegas economy

• Kai does the ever-entertaining teppanyaki dinner well – and cheaply

• Vegas No. 1 In U.S.’s Most Abandoned Cities

• Las Vegas city hall plan moving ahead

• Las Vegas worries its image hurts business travel

• Card counting Iphone app gets Vegas in a flap

• Las Vegas Restaurants On Recession’s Front Lines

• Vegas water watchers raise drought fears

• In slump, low end treated like high end, but to what end?

• Explosive tabloid report coming?

• Wynn wins praise for cuts – Job-saving measure called morale boost

• Son singing as dad in tribute act

• Clark County turns 100, and the festivities get rolling

• Joint Memories – As venue prepares to shift gears, entertainment writers look back

• Crüe gets in final shout – The now almost grown-up band closes The Joint

• Canceled corporate trip an anti-stimulus

• Expecting ‘09 recovery for gaming? Don’t

• Developer builds fortune with four steps: buy, improve, raise rents and sell

• Officials eye details, aiming to make furniture-mart show shine during slump

• As they do every two years, lawmakers take another look at creating state lottery

• UFL sets October kickoff – Las Vegas-Los Angeles one of four franchises for inaugural season

• Forecast grim for Southern Nevada – Economic index falls for third straight month

• Window open to see Death Valley wonders

• Race handle down statewide as TrackNet blackout lingers

• In search of mob money – Federal pork for a Las Vegas museum project?

• Street of Dreams event about to come true – MacDonald Highlands prepares for 2011

• Job hunt begins for ‘Folies’ juggler

• Company lures potential porn stars

• Rain at the Palms attracting crowds with its star power

• Operator reaffirms interest in Strip property

• Ignoring slump, new Hard Rock Cafe chugs on

• Sheriff slams on the brakes about idea of legalizing prostitution

• Museum yearns for Ol’ Blue Eyes

• There’s no place like Vegas for production designer

• Pussycat Dolls Lounge offers music, dancing, stripper pole

• Harvey Fierstein rips Las Vegas – some locals not amused

• Michigan bowler caps wire-to-wire win

• Mobster’s biographer scoops clueless Illinois detectives, fingers 1981 killer

• Las Vegans don’t have to travel far to play in the snow

• Singer Connie Francis enjoyed the glamour and stars of Vegas in the ’60s

• Options open for drag show future

• Pawnshop scheduled to star in reality TV show pilot

• Police are taking unprecedented steps to keep prostitution offenders off the Strip

• LV home prices fall to level not seen since 2003

• They’re calling it a day at ‘La Cage’

• Obama swipe at corporate trips to LV draws response

• Annual gaming revenues suffer sharpest drop in state history

• Bowling’s popularity in area stays strong over decades

• Yucca workers try to save jobs amid predictions of 500 layoffs

• Budget cutbacks could reduce funding for Nevada’s state parks

• Commission OKs search for financing for new Las Vegas city hall

• Proposed hot line on complaints about LVCVA scrutinized

• TrackNet telecasts ready to resume

• Foreclosures in Las Vegas drop in January

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:

• St. Patrick’s Day March 17
• Easter Sunday April 12
• Cinco de Mayo May 5
• Mother’s Day May 10
• Father’s Day June 21
• Canada Day, Canada July 1
• Independence Day July 4
• Civic Holiday, Canada August 1-3 (3 day weekend)
• Labor Day, U.S September 5-7 (3 day weekend)
• Labour Day, Canada September 5-7 (3 day weekend)
• Jewish New Year September 19
• Halloween October 31
• Veteran’s Day November 11
• Thanksgiving Day, U.S November 26-29 (4 day weekend)
• Hanukkah Dec. 2 – Dec. 9
• Christmas December 25
• New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 2 (3 day weekend)
• Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 18-20 (3 day weekend)
• Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
• President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 13-15 (3 day weekend)
• Chinese/Lunar New Year February 14
• Valentine’s Day February 14
• Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22

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

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

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

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

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

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

February 25, 2009 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

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

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AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials Las Vegas Hotels Las Vegas Shows Headliners and Concerts Local Business Directory Las Vegas Nightlife (VIP and Table Reservations) Access Vegas Myspace Page

Featured Shows Blue Man Group Jersey Boys Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular Photos and Wallpaper Las Vegas Photos (Send A Free E-Card!)

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

Hello From Las Vegas! I usually like to start out by telling you how great the weather is (and it usually is). Not this past 14 days or so. Rain (and snow-capped mountains ringing the Las Vegas Valley), clouds, sprinkles, and high temperatures in the 50’s (F) on the Las Vegas Strip.

Oh, wait… that is still warmer than the vast majority of the United States during the same period. (Florida had freezing temperatures about a week ago… where is global warming when we need it). Nevermind! Temps looking to be closer to 70 as this newsletter goes out.

Las Vegas Still #1 – From the Orlando Business Journal:

Las Vegas, long considered Orlando’s top tourist destination rival, topped the Orbitz reservation service’s list of most popular 2008 tourist destinations.

Here’s the complete ranking: Las Vegas, first, New York, second; Chicago, third; San Francisco, fourth; Miami, fifth; Los Angeles, sixth; Orlando, seventh; Washington, D.C.; eighth; Boston, ninth; and Atlanta, 10th.

I keep bringing this stuff up, but at the end of the day the media (in general) has tried to pile on with the “Las Vegas… Nobody Is Visiting… Doom And Gloom” angles. It is getting pretty old.

#1 is #1. And… I’d be shocked if we aren’t #1 once again in 2009. Especially with the very low Las Vegas room rates available right now.

Bellagio Gardens Display Schedule – Most of you planning are planning to visit this year (or already live here). The Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens’ have released their schedule for the 2009 displays:

• Chinese New Year: Presently Showing through February 28
• Spring: March 8 – May 16
• Summer: May 24 – September 12
• Fall: September 20 – November 29
• Holiday: December 6 – January 2, 2010

New Newsletter Segment – I’m starting a new segment called Las Vegas Economy, Housing, and Politics that will appear down below More News, Concerts, and Events. We have significant demand for this information. We aren’t just read by visitors but by everyone from those with a second home here in Las Vegas to investors, hedge fund people, local gaming executives and more.

I’m coming up on 16 years here in Las Vegas. Significantly longer than most local TV and print journalists. This gives me a “big picture” perspective and sometimes angles you won’t read elsewhere.

However, we know that most read for the great travel and tourism information we produce each week. Hence… we’ll move the hard news commentary to a separate part of the newsletter.

Billboard Touring Awards Calls The Colosseum (Caesars Palace) The Top sub-5000 Seat Venue For 2008 – No surprise here on the continued strength of Bette Middler, Cher, and Elton John’s many successful shows. Speaking of, Elton John is hanging it up (The Red Piano Caesars shows), but Better and Cher are still going strong. Side note: Rumours of Cher’s show having ended are obviously not true.

Ticket Info:

• Bette Midler “The Showgirl Must Go On” Tickets

• Cher Caesars Palace Las Vegas Tickets

Girls Night Out Vegas Tip – When I moved here in 1993, Las Vegas was a “guys” vacation spot. Most female visitors were here with a husband or boyfriend. Oh how times have changed, and Las Vegas is a very popular “girls getaway” spot.

My tip? Smooth Jazz Ladies Night atop the Stratosphere Tower in the Romance Lounge (Level 107 of the Tower). From 7-11 PM on Wednesdays, ladies enjoy half-price martinis and other drink specials, plus the chance to win a designer purse. Other giveaways include a $100 gift certificate to Top of the World, a $50 gift certificate for Romance Lounge, $25 in free slot play, tickets for two to American Superstars and tickets for two to Bite. All in attendance can enjoy live jazz by the William Moran Jazz Trio.

Although slated through at least March 11, 2009, this popular event is likely to continue. My advice? Check with Smooth Jazz 105.7 before your trip to find out event status.

Flickr Users Beware – While not Las Vegas related, I imagine we have a significant number of Flickr (public photo sharing website) in our audience. Flickr is a very popular service, but don’t count on them to keep your photos or care what happens to them. This is especially important to those of you who upload your photos to Flickr without also copying them to your computer:

We here had a paid Flickr photo account and had uploaded around 3000 Las Vegas photos to their site. They were all ours (or a handful of PR photos we had permission to use). No copyright violations or content violations. In addition, we didn’t use Flickr to spam our information. IE, we didn’t post links to our site under the photos.

We DID spend well over 100 hours working to be an upstanding member of the Flickr community. We added descriptions to our photos, geotagged them (put on a map where they were taken) and were active in the Flickr community.

Without warning, Flickr deactivated our account. A paid account. To add insult to injury, it took nearly a month to get a reply as to why (and only after a repeated requests). Their support person was downright rude and pretty much simply said that they don’t have to tell anyone or give a reason for deactivating an account. Could it have been done by mistake or by someone overzealous who failed to check that we owned the photos and they don’t want to own up to the mistake? We’ll never know.

What we do know is that our photos vanished and over a hundred hours of hard work to be part of the Flickr community vanishes as well. From a paid account. Without warning. A web search found instances where this had happened to others as well. My advice? Use Flickr to post photos at your own risk. If you wake up one day and they are gone (including any community contacts you have created), Flickr won’t notify you or care. Even if you have a paid account.

Still unpacking and organizing from the move. New photo sets (not to be placed on Flickr) and other newsletter features coming soon. Stay subscribed.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

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Las Vegas Is On Sale!
Get Great Rates At All Hotels:

Aliante from $30, Boulder Stn from $29, Fiesta H from $28, Green Valley from $80, Palace Stn from $25, Red Rock from $90, Sunset Stn from $40, Texas Stn from $29, Wild Wild W. from $23, More Savings At All Vegas Hotels!

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Fleetwood Mac MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, May 30 – The legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac has added 29 shows to its upcoming Greatest Hits “Unleashed” tour in April and May. The added tour dates come on the heels of the first leg of dates announced in December, which have nearly sold out. The “Unleashed” tour will make a stop in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, May 30. (Tickets) The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. The tour will include all of the bands’ greatest hits from the course of its extraordinary career. Click to Read The Full Story …

Twin Creeks At Silverton Casino Lodge Goes Bananas With The Monkey Business Cocktail – Swing into Twin Creeks at Silverton Casino Lodge to try Monkey Business ($10) during February 2009, an original cocktail creation from Master Mixologist John DuPont. Monkey Business contains a silky blend of Van Gogh Dutch chocolate vodka, Godiva chocolate liqueur, Godiva white chocolate liqueur, Nocello walnut liqueur and Crème de Banana. The concoction is served in a chilled martini glass and garnished with a chocolate and walnut sprinkled banana. After receiving a $3.7 million redesign, Twin Creeks boasts an innovative new menu, signature boutique bourbons, extensive wine list and restyled interior and exterior. Designer lighting throughout three distinct dining areas produces the ideal ambiance to enjoy exciting new menu creations. High top tables in the bar area provide casual dining and conversation, while custom designed booths offer seclusion and privacy. New finishes throughout the restaurant such as wood floors, ceiling beams, sheers and candle niches are all part of Twin Creeks’ transformation into one of the best dining options in Las Vegas. Twin Creeks is open for dinner 5 – 9 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday and 5 – 10 p.m. Friday – Saturday.

Dave Matthews Band With Special Guest Jason Mraz Friday, May 8 & Saturday, May 9 MGM Grand Garden Arena – Dave Matthews Band returns with its first studio album in four years and a 2009 spring tour, which will include a stop at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for performances Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. (Tickets) Fans will experience the group’s first-ever live performances of songs from the new album. The concerts are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. with special guest Jason Mraz. The band’s yet-to-be-titled album is being produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) and will be released by RCA Records. Click to Read The Full Story …

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Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I’ve been coming to Vegas for many years and have visited at least twice a year in the past 5 years. I love Vegas and I don’t even gamble. We visit during New Years mostly, bet on Bowl Games, flew in from Pittsburgh just to be with a great crowd at Caesars when WE won the Super Bowl year before last. It was spectacular, we were offered a lot of money for our terrible towels. Didn’t sell them. They’re originals from the Iron Curtain days.

Anyway, I am so happy to find this site. Don’t know why I never found it before. I love to hear all the info there is about Vegas. We stay at the Flamingo. It’s affordable and right in the middle of things. I always beg for a room with the a good view of the strip (and thankfully always get it). I open the drapes and see the Fountains at the Bellagio and the beautiful front entrance of Caesars and the big flashing billboards and I know I’m in Vegas and I’m in heaven.

Last year a saw the Family Stone (Sly) at a casino off of the stirp. It was really a great show. If anyone gets a chance to see it GO it was one of the most affordable shows I saw in Vegas. I enjoyed Earth Wind & Fire and the Venetian last New Years Eve.

I am looking for some good places to eat that won’t cost very much. We’ll splurge a few nights on dinner but will have to watch our money. I still going to Vegas and I’m sure there are places I can go, not spend to much and have a good time. Any one with some actual experiences of good affordable places to eat and or places to go, please post it. I will be checking this site often.

Bebe

Ted Responds:

This letter actually came in before this most recent Superbowl (hence the references to the game from three years ago where the Steelers also won). Becuase of our move, we’re a little backed up on Memebers Mania letters.

Just a reminder to everyone looking for Vegas deals: Remember, our EasyVegasDeals.com has been up and running a number of months now. We post various Las Vegas deals and specials as they break. We’ll also soon be launching a separate Easy Vegas Deals newsletter (which has been slightly delayed due to technical issues… we need to upgrade our servers to handle volume).

Readers often comment “I can’t believe I didn’t hear about you earlier!” This is where all of you readers come in. We are a smaller outfit without the huge advertising budget of other travel sites. Our money goes straight into the information and research we provide.

Because of this, we continue to rely on you to tell all of your family, friends, co-workers… hell, tell your worst enemies about our newsletter if they have any interest in travel and Las Vegas! Signing up is free and simple: They simply need to go to our main site AccessVegas.com and use the newsletter sign-up form at the top of that page.

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Wanted to see if you can help me with your knowledge of Vegas. I am recently engaged and we are thinking about maybe having our wedding in Vegas however I am wanting to know if any of the hotels or any other places out there happen to have a big suite with a terrace or balcony with a view of the strip where we could have our wedding at and enough people could fit probably like 50+ people. Something totally different instead of a banquet hall setting or what not. Or do you know who I can contact to find this information out?

I know MGM Grand has suites but they are only 1300 sq feet with a terrace and view of the strip.

Thanks,

Alisha Sumpter

Ted Responds:

I absolutely agree that this is a great wedding idea, and many do prefer to get married in a suite with a view instead of the traditional wedding chapel. A suite that large with a terrace is going to be few and far between (and if so, be a very high roller type of suite that will be very expensive). Voodoo Lounge at The Rio has an amazing view and could fit the bill, but renting that out (even for an afternoon) might also be quite costly.

Readers, have you seen (or stayed in) a room that might fit this bill? Or any other thoughts? I’m racking my brain but there must be something I’m overlooking. Email us at the address below.

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Hi Ted and Crew,

I live in the UK and love Las Vegas. I have visited three times with friends and family and if I lived in the US I would be out there every other month. My first visit was as part of a tour and Las Vegas just happened to be one of the stops – I was not that fussed either way before we got there and our tour guide said you will either love it or hate it. Well I loved it. I am visiting again in April in a group of 6 and hubby is coming for the first time.

My second visit we stayed at the wonderful Stardust which sadly had gone by our third visit two years ago so we booked into the Orleans which we loved and where we are heading back to this year.

Love your site and use it to research all shows and activities for our trips.

Keep up the good work!

Cheryl from London England

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

• Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!

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More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

• Bill Engvall Performs His Hilarious Comedy At Treasure Island Thursday, February 26 And Friday, February 27

  Bill Engvall Tickets

• Comedian Vinnie Favorito Ups The Ante At Flamingo Las Vegas – Favorito Extends His Run With A Three-Year Contract

  Vinnie Favorito Tickets

• Godiva Chocolatier Inside Miracle Mile Shops Gives Valentine’s Day Shoppers The Chance To Win The Ultimate Chocolate Fantasy

• Owner, Director And Creative Force “ND” Announces The Launch Of “ND’s Fuego – The Evolution of Nightlife” At Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino In Las Vegas

• Rok Vegas Nightclub Launches 360° Sundays Featuring The Best Local And World Renowned House DJs Every Sunday

• Zapp, Rose Royce And Tierra Headline An Evening Of R&B, Soul And Funk At KLUC’s Love Affair At Orleans Arena On Valentine’s Night

• The Second Best Oscar Party In The Country Takes Over Rain Nightclub At The Palms Casino Resort, February 22

• Bob Anderson, “The Best Singing Impressionist In America,” To Perform At Cannery Casino & Hotel

• The Fab To Perform The Beatles’ Legendary Rooftop Concert At Cannery Casino & Hotel On January 23

• “King of Diamonds” Rob Garrett To Take the Stage At Cannery Casino & Hotel

• Goodbye ‘Folies,’ hello ‘Peepshow’

  Folies Bergere Tickets

• Wayne Brady, known as improv comic, drawing attention for his music

  Wayne Brady Tickets

• Relocated ‘Caveman’ thoughtful, but doesn’t forget cheap laughs

  Defending The Caveman Tickets

• Will the Super Bowl & UFC boost Las Vegas’ economy? (with video)

• More Layoffs Hit Southern Nevada Residents (with video)

• Nevada Unemployment Hits 9.1 Percent (with video)

• Economists Look to Fix Las Vegas Recession with video)

• NHL moves awards ceremony to Las Vegas

• Las Vegas airport has biggest passenger decline since 1981

• It’s still happening in Vegas, despite slump

• Michigan airport to add Vegas flights

• AeroMexico Starting Las Vegas-Mexico City Service

• An only-in-Vegas economic indicator

• Developers of Plaza in Vegas get loan extension

• Study – Las Vegas to lose 4 percent of work force

• Adventures in strip club transportation

• Bland ambition – Ibo’s Mediterranean eatery has everything but the flavor

• More local law offices look to lay off staff, fold

• Vegas To Lose 35K Jobs, Survey Says

• Proper outlook for gambling’s future somewhere between exuberance, panic

• Is Obama’s stimulus a wise plan for Nevada?

• Las Vegas Business Owner Questions Stimulus Package

• It’s Still a ‘Wynn-win’ situation these days in Las Vegas

• IRS raids Vegas casino as part of investigation into former Fry’s executive

• Slot giant sees rough going but forecasts survival

• Economic turmoil fuels apartment demand

• City Council to hear comments on proposal to widen Las Vegas Boulevard

• Las Vegas puts on the dog to lure celebrants in Year of the Ox

• Miss Indiana takes Miss America crown

• Other mayors oppose Goodman’s call for debate on brothels

• Off-season houseboating makes for a relaxing vacation

• Observers see quiet times after current projects come on line

• Poll shows Reid ‘extremely vulnerable’ in 2010 election

• Mayor’s idea for a mob museum sleeps with the fishes in Washington

• World Series of Poker adds $40,000 buy-in game

• It’s an incredible year to be Miss America!

• Comedy club franchise fills previously dark stage at Palace Station

• Allegiant Air parent posts higher earnings, lower fuel expenses

• Encore’s Botero does steak, but prides itself on seafood, too

• Las Vegas just might go ‘Mad’

• Lawmaker proposes bill that targets boozing construction workers

• Airport traffic tumbles 7.7 percent in 2008

• It’s tougher these days for lounge acts to land recurring gigs

• Ups and downs in January for gaming stocks

• Station Casinos said to be near brink of default

• Virgin Enterprises targets Las Vegas company in trademark lawsuit

• Taxable sales fall across Las Vegas, state

• Developer proposes casino downtown

• Local businesses struggle with products of school district

• TrackNet not a necessity for Nevada’s race books

• Shrinking jobless fund might force Nevada to borrow from federal government

• Major power users seek to speak out in rate case

• Amid tough economic times, legislators open 2009 session

• Taxing prostitution distracts lawmakers from the real issue – Fixing the system

• Spanish Trail Golf club studded with star-like qualities

• Valley apartment construction stalls

• Binion grandson learned to hedge his bets with loyalty, good deeds

• Vegas relying on tried and true

• Columnist John L. Smith talks to retired undercover agent about life in the FBI

• Nevada’s bed and breakfast inns offer cozy lodging

• Developer hopes M Resort is magnetic

• Money remains TrackNet hurdle – State pari-mutuel group still at odds over TV signal

• Tabu focuses on great music, party atmosphere, quality customer service

• MGM Grand, Wynn restaurants receive awards

• Super Day for Steelers – Sports books busy, with results mixed

• Wynn statement raises questions

• Toll lane plan for Las Vegas would allow private funding

• Stations seeks restructuring – Company asks for bondholder approval

• Cormorants eat their fill at Lorenzi Park pond

• UNLV fan Maddux gets jersey, ovation

• The bookmaker likes color of money; the fan loves black and gold

• Caution clips Super Bowl bets – $81.5 million total down 11.5 percent in rough economy

• World of Concrete attendance expected to fall

• Mint 400 expanded through the Fremont Street Experience

• Jobless finding more competition – December figure is state’s highest in 25 years

• UNLV rally aimed at cuts – Protest to include students attending other state colleges

• Vegas has edge over Broadway

• Las Vegas showing off – Ad campaign trying to lure more visitors

• LVCVA takes steps to tighten oversight – Flap over charitable donation leads to changes

• Octavius opening postponed – Harrah’s halts tower completion as room demand dwindles

• California tax changes may hurt LV tourism

• Grim news on the gaming front – Is now really a good time to raise the room tax?

• Net income in fiscal 2008 fell as downturn worsened

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Las Vegas Economy, Housing, Politics

Obama Says “Don’t Visit Las Vegas” – President Obama’s recent remarks that companies involved in receiving federal bailout money shouldn’t be having business meetings in Las Vegas stirred some anger in both Republicans and Democrats alike (including Mayor Oscar Goodman, D-Las Vegas).

While trying to sound a populist note, the sting of this one may not soon be forgotten. Consider the following:

1. Companies with offices all over the U.S. (and world) routinely need to conduct meetings in central locations. It is simply a fact of doing business.

2. Las Vegas literally is one of the cheapest places to have business meetings, conventions, and events.

Don’t take my word for it. Pick a random few weekdays in the next couple of months and go to our travel partners I4Vegas Discount Las Vegas Reservations and see what rooms here are going for. Even top-end rooms at Wynn/Encore, Venetian/Palazzo and Bellagio. The go to any national travel site and see what upscale hotel rooms are going for in San Francisco, Chicago, or New York cost.

One of the companies chided by The President’s remarks actually canceled their trip here and rescheduled it for the much more expensive destination of San Francisco!

3. Obama won Nevada largely on the backs of unionized hotel labor. The very same people are are being laid off because Las Vegas travel is down from last year. Although a small state in population, Nevada is a state that Democrats must keep out of GOP hands in close Presidential races. Will the union members forgive and forget? Be interesting to watch.

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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:

• Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
• St. Patrick’s Day March 17
• Easter Sunday April 12
• Cinco de Mayo May 5
• Mother’s Day May 10
• Father’s Day June 21
• Canada Day, Canada July 1
• Independence Day July 4
• Civic Holiday, Canada August 1-3 (3 day weekend)
• Labor Day, U.S September 5-7 (3 day weekend)
• Labour Day, Canada September 5-7 (3 day weekend)
• Jewish New Year September 19
• Halloween October 31
• Veteran’s Day November 11
• Thanksgiving Day, U.S November 26-29 (4 day weekend)
• Hanukkah Dec. 2 – Dec. 9
• Christmas December 25
• New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 2 (3 day weekend)
• Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 18-20 (3 day weekend)
• Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
• Chinese/Lunar New Year February 14

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

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

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

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

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

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

February 18, 2009 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

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AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

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

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AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials Las Vegas Hotels Las Vegas Shows Headliners and Concerts Limos, Airport Transfers Local Business Directory Las Vegas Nightlife (VIP and Table Reservations) Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties Las Vegas and Grand Canyon Tours Access Vegas Myspace Page

Featured Shows Jersey Boys Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular Blue Man Group Photos and Wallpaper Las Vegas Photos (Send A Free E-Card!)

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Doom and gloom, doom and gloom… you would think that people have simply quit visiting Las Vegas if you listen to the national media. And a few new-resident bloggers who only have the past couple of years as their reference base.

Nothing could be farther from the truth! If your visit is planned, you won’t be lonely or find a shortage of amazing things to do. If you are holding off visiting, someone else WILL be enjoying that great room (and at a rock-bottom room rate) instead of you.

In fact… the bargain rates won’t last forever. Soon, people will realize that the sky is not falling and everyone is going to start to want to vacation at once. My advice? Book your Las Vegas room now before that crowd starts driving up rates again.

My Personal Trip Report – To ease things during the recent move (which was a combination of personal and business move combined), I spent a couple of dirt-cheap nights in a pretty nice hotel casino. I’ll put those details down in Members Mania including the $20 trick and other advice.

39,000,000 – This is the number of people projected to visit Las Vegas this year, 2009… in the midst of a “terrible” recession. (Actually, some note that the recessions of the 70’s and early 80’s were possibly worse when you look at economic contraction to date).

Just to compare, remember 2006? The red-hot year when everybody from no-name Florida developers to George Clooney were talking about building in Las Vegas because the city was so hot as a destination? Guess how many people visited in 2006: 38,9000,000. Which means…

More people are projected to visit Las Vegas this year than visited during the tourism “boom” year of 2006.

So why are all the gaming companies going broke? Two reasons:

1. They overbuilt. MGM Mirage has CityCenter (too ambitious), Harrah’s built onto Caesars and bought a ton of land at top-of-the-boom prices, and Station Casinos built Aliante smack-dab in the middle of one of the newest (and most highly foreclosed upon) areas of North Las Vegas. For 50 years, people have been saying that Las Vegas would get over-built. It happened.

2. They strayed away from value. When you think you are getting a deal (whether it be on food or good gambling odds or whatever), you actually spend MORE money. How many times have we gone into Target (or even the grocery store) to buy a sale item and end up walking out with a $100 worth of stuff we never intended to buy? Such basic marketing, and yet so lost on many major gaming companies. Which brings me to…

Don’t Be THAT Visitor – Local writer Corey “Oops, I forgot to mention Access Vegas Insider Vibe blog in a recent article” Levitan wrote a humorous piece about what it is like to live here and entertain out-of-town guests. If you live here, you’ll get a kick out of it. If you don’t live here, but regularly come to town to shack up with (and party with) friends that do live in Las Vegas, please… please read It’s deja vu all over again when friends come to visit Las Vegas (and don’t be “that guy” when you visit).

89110 Booziest Zip In Las Vegas – According to a recent article in the Review-Journal, local zip code 89110 has 56 liquor outlets. More than twice of any other Las Vegas zip code. This is an urban/suburban zip code about 3 miles from downtown, not a sprawling rural area. Needless to say, officials are looking to reduce that number. I live nowhere near that area, but I say “What better way to keep people from drinking and driving than to have a bar every two blocks!”

Still Not A Good Time To Move – We always have new readers, some subscribing because they are considering moving to Las Vegas. And we continue to say… Don’t. Unemployment is headed toward 12% (as the construction bust has resulted in empty mini-malls city wide), anyone hiring will first hire locals who are out-of-work, and the federal economic stimulus package has nothing for the gaming/resort industry that drives our economy (not that it should).

Treasure Island New Ownership Means… – We reported on this a few weeks ago, and I’ve been meaning to comment on it but the past few weeks have been a little chaotic around here.

As many of you know, financier Phil Ruffin bought Treasure Island (TI) from MGM Mirage. This could be the first in a number of casino sell-offs as some of the gaming giants are temporarily cash-strapped. And let’s face it: With CityCenter opening later this year, did MGM Mirage really need Treasure Island? Does Harrah’s really need all of their properties with all that great land they own to expand on?

This is a good news for the consumer. Do you know why downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street Experience) has so many better food deals and better gambling odds than The Strip? They have to. Almost every downtown casino is owned by a different owner. Tons of competition, pure and simple.

If (and that is a big IF) more sell-offs diversify hotel ownership on The Strip, expect a return to the heavy competition that established Las Vegas as a bargain resort destination that offered a world-class experience. If you missed this story completely a few weeks ago, reference:

• Treasure Island deal set – Ex-New Frontier owner to buy casino
• Ruffin itching to get back on Strip – Former New Frontier owner loves location, theme, shows
• Shows at casino likely to stay put

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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

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Las Vegas Is On Sale!
Get Great Rates At All Hotels:

Aliante from $57, Boulder Stn from $29, Fiesta H from $28, Green Valley from $125, Palace Stn from $24, Red Rock from $125, Sunset Stn from $50, Texas Stn from $29, Wild Wild W. from $23, More Savings At All Vegas Hotels!

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Jersey Boys Is Las Vegas’ Number One Show – Jersey Boys Takes The Top Spot In Las Vegas Review-Journals’ 2008 Top Ten List – The smash hit Jersey Boys at The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino has been named the number one show of the year by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevada’s largest newspaper. In a year of stiff competition, JERSEY BOYS claimed the top spot for entertainment in 2008 ahead of such celebrated productions as Bette Midler “The Showgirl Must Go On,” Cher and Donny and Marie Osmond. Click to Read The Full Story …

Wolfgang Puck Satisfies Dessert Cravings with the New Seasonal 15-Layer Carrot Cake – Wolfgang Puck invites patrons to indulge in the 15-Layer Carrot Cake, a unique take on the traditional dessert. Director of Pastry Kenny Magana created this mouth-watering temptation which is composed of fifteen savory layers of cake and adorned with candied walnuts, filled with a delectable cream cheese filling and complemented with ginger ice cream. For $12, the seasonal dish is available at Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois and Spago, located inside The Forum Shops at Caesars, as well as at the Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, located inside MGM Grand. Click to Read The Full Story …

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Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Ted’s “Trip Report” – Living here, the one thing I admit we cover the least is the actual hotel experience. Fortunately, many of you write in with your experiences to share with everyone. We’ll get back to those next issue and you can always write in your Vegas experiences to us at allvegastv@aol.com

Having spent a couple of recent hotel nights, I’ll briefly share my experiences:

Needing to “get out of the way” (of movers, maintenance/construction people and everything else), I looked for three things in a hotel: Good, cheap, and near The Strip. Palace Station came to mind, and a quick search of their site showed a $25 a night rate. Not bad!

However… you should never book anywhere else without checking our friends at I4Vegas Discount Las Vegas Reservations. Guess what… they were doing Palace Station at “stay one night, get one free” for much of the month of January. My total for two nights with tax? $30 and change. Not bad for a place literally one mile from The Strip (The Sahara to be specific, but Sahara has a monorail stop that will get you just about everywhere else).

Now… Palace Station has their older courtyard rooms and their newer tower rooms, both of which have been extensively remodeled. Usually, booking the rock bottom rate will get you in the courtyard. Not bad… the room surround a surprisingly nice pool area. But nothing fancy. Here’s where the “tip the desk clerk” situation comes into play:

Upon checking in, I took my ID and my credit card and placed a folded $10 bill in between them, with it sticking out just far enough to see the denomination. I told the clerk “if you have any tower rooms, the higher, the better (for the view), I’d appreciate it.” He punched a few things up, said he could take care of me, and thanked me (for the tip) as he picked up the credit card.

The result? A 19′th floor room with great Strip view, a 42 inch flat screen, modern decor, tile shower (no bath) with upscale toiletries, granite counter tops in the bathroom, King Size bed plus all the usual nice amenities (hair drier, iron and board, safe, big closet, quiet  heat/air).

Plus… make sure you ALWAYS look through a coupon book if your hotel gives you one. Mine had everything from a free beer in their Irish Pub to 25% off room service (not to mention a bunch of gambling coupons and other specials).

Final thoughts:

1. I tipped $10 at the desk because it was (after all) Palace Station and a slow Sunday night check-in to boot. Consider $20 a minimum tip anywhere on The Strip or downtown or on a weekend anywhere. Staying at one of the really nice hotels? Make it a $50 if you want them to try to pull an  major upgrade (to a full suite, for example).

2. Is Palace Station for the novice visitor? Maybe not unless you are really staying on a budget. There is something to be said for staying right on The Strip. However… with a free shuttle to/from both the airport and The Strip, it might be a small inconvenience for the budget-minded. In addition, you’ll find the usual assortment of casino restaurants with prices well below Strip pricing, and lower table limits as well.

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

• Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!
• Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

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More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

• Terry Fator’s hitting it big in Las Vegas

  Terry Fator Tickets

• Sex bomb Tom Jones continues longtime Las Vegas affair with MGM Grand performances

  Tom Jones Tickets

• Acrobatics support the music in Cirque’s Beatles-inspired ‘Love’

  ‘LOVE’ Tickets

• Nevada leads the nation in 2008 foreclosure rates (with video)

• Miss America contestants compete in pancake flipping competition (with video)

• Proposed Pay Cut Will Impact Thousands (with video)

• Culinary Union throws wrench in plans for a new Las Vegas City Hall (with video)

• Three areas in Valley top housing crisis list (with video)

• Insiders Tight Lipped on Las Vegas Arena (with video)

• Las Vegas Housing Experts See Slow Recovery

• After years of growth and prosperity, Las Vegas lately has been rolling snake eyes

• Bombardier get $58 million to continue operating Las Vegas monorail

• History briefly silences buzz of Las Vegas Strip

• Las Vegas casinos hoping for lucky Chinese New Year

• Las Vegas office space vacancy rate at 17.3 percent, reportedly highest on record

• In bad times, Vegas casinos know when to hold ‘em

• The Tao Of Vegas

• Will Football Betting Help Economy?

• Analysts see little new Strip development for decade after current projects completed

• As lights go dark on Broadway, Nevada Conservatory Theatre optimistic about future

• High costs hamper industrial market, study finds

• Las Vegas joins the Inaugural fun

• An Oscar’s finally coming for Lewis

• Sex star may give burlesque a try

• The Strip will be adorned in red and tourists will swarm to welcome the Chinese year of the ox

• Eldorado hike highlight is a natural bridge

• Howard Stern considers returning to Las Vegas

• Group backs raising taxes – Nevada taxation called inequitable

• Mob Museum’s future brightens

• Ghostbar offers a view of the Strip that other clubs can’t

• Child Welfare – Nevada’s ranking still low

• Beauty pageant warms up to Las Vegas

• Housing rebound? How about 2011?

• Henderson cleaning up its history

• Pageant hopefuls get taken for ride

• Railroad structures interesting remnants of Nevada’s past

• Commercial mortgage-backed bond defaults could more than double in 2009

• Hair bands, Vegas a perfect fit

• Local foreclosures triple in ‘08

• Long-standing Riviera tribute acts give patrons their money’s worth

• Hard Rock Vegas Expands Meeting Facilities

• Nevada state senator would consider legalizing Las Vegas prostitution

• Las Vegas hoping Year of the Ox will be lucky

• Packer goes downmarket in Las Vegas

• 2008 McCarran Passenger Traffic Drops Nearly 8 Percent

• MGM Grand’s Studio 54 blends new with nostalga

• Hair bands, Vegas a perfect fit

• Heroic pilot trained at Nellis

• Longtime TV analyst Packer going back on the air

• Valley office vacancies hit highest level

• Construction under way on Red Rock Canyon visitors center

• Strip visitors pause for inauguration, then return to gambling

• Comings and goings at Rio

• Tony Curtis recalls bleak childhood, Hollywood adventures in candid memoir

• Entertain the whole brood without breaking the bank

• Las Vegas performers share which books they like to curl up with

• Thousands rally at UNLV to protest proposed cuts to education

• Record Jan. 21 temperature set

• Economist says bad times will persist for Las Vegas

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:

• Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
• Valentine’s Day February 14
• President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
• Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
• St. Patrick’s Day March 17
• Easter Sunday April 12
• Cinco de Mayo May 5
• Mother’s Day May 10
• Father’s Day June 21
• Canada Day, Canada July 1
• Independence Day July 4
• Civic Holiday, Canada August 1-3 (3 day weekend)
• Labor Day, U.S September 5-7 (3 day weekend)
• Labour Day, Canada September 5-7 (3 day weekend)
• Jewish New Year September 19
• Halloween October 31
• Veteran’s Day November 11
• Thanksgiving Day, U.S November 26-29 (4 day weekend)
• Hanukkah Dec. 2 – Dec. 9
• Christmas December 25
• New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 2 (3 day weekend)
• Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 18-20 (3 day weekend)
• Chinese/Lunar New Year February 14

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

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

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

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

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All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
Hotel Rates Published Accurate At Time Of Publication

February 4, 2009 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

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