Living in Las Vegas, Dave’s home since 2001.
But you didn’t need me to tell you that, you’ve probably seen pictures and more at ariaopening.com. And here’s a few words from the Sun about the opening: The wait is over. After a two-minute fireworks display, the Aria Resort & Casino opened its doors to the public late Wednesday night, giving tourists and Las […]
Aria is open at last Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingI can’t think of a time that I’ve seen someone put in their place this brilliantly. From NORM: Donald Trump and MGM Mirage management won’t be exchanging Christmas cards. The controversial New York real estate developer is raining on CityCenter’s parade, calling it “an absolute catastrophe.” “The biggest problem is it costs so much,” Trump
As some of you know, I participated in the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon this year, and I had a ball. But I’d like to share something that happened before the race that, hopefully, can make a point about what not to do with a Strip casino. Parking at the race is always an
Not-so-smart decisions at the Trop Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingNow that I’ve seen the inside, I’ve got something to say about Vdara and City Center. The guy in charge of it all says that it can’t be explained, only experienced, but I’m going to give it a shot since it’s sort of my job to explain these kinds of things. To set the stage,
I found this courtesy of Stiffs and Georges. Take a look at these transcripts, then tell me that this scenario wasn’t a lot funnier when Jon Favreau did it in Swingers. John Fredericks Voicemail Transcripts – Las Vegas Now. That’s one of the greatest single-actor scenes I’ve ever watched. The transcripts are just…awful. We don’t
Real life vs. reel life Read More »
life in vegasHere’s some good news about the Rock and Roll Las Vegas Marathon from the LVRJ: In the 10-plus months since it was announced that Competitor Group was taking over the Las Vegas Marathon, there have been several new additions to the race A new name — the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon — that
I’ve got a new column out today in the Las Vegas Weekly. It’s an essay about why there’s such a stigma against Las Vegas visitors: Three outside opinions, one conclusion: Las Vegas is the shallow end of America’s gene pool. Could they have a point? After all, casinos offer negative-expectation games. Mathematically, it’s a certainty
Column in LV Weekly Read More »
life in vegas, what's new, writingWell, it looks like the Time magazine cover story from a few weeks ago has scored some collateral damage. From the LV Sun: A Las Vegas real estate agent who landed a prominent role in a Time magazine cover story is being scrutinized by state licensing officials because of her comments, has left her employer
Consequences of carpet-bagging Read More »
life in vegasI heard an ad for this place on the radio driving to work today and started thinking about how odd it is that a nightclub on the Las Vegas Strip seems to be glamorizing mental illness. Live from Las Vegas, it’s Skizofrenia, the Nightclub: Skizofrenia features “dark alternative music” every Friday at the Harmon Theater.
Mental illness is goth clean fun! Read More »
life in vegasI want to write about something I said but (I don’t think) got on the air in the KVVU story last Friday. Since everything about Las Vegas has to run to extremes, it’s almost impossible to have a realistic discussion of its evolution as a city, both economically and socially. With doom-mongering the current rage,
Is Vegas really doomed? Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingFor those of you in Las Vegas, I’m (probably) going to be on KVVU-Fox 5 news at 5 this afternoon, commenting on a new Time magazine cover story about “Fabulous Less Vegas.” Basically, it’s yet another example of what Hal Rothman called “carpetbagger journalists” blowing through town and trying to pass off their insights as
More recession discussion: Vegas goes national Read More »
life in vegas, what's newThe Las Vegas UFL team finally has a name that draws on the city’ history. Check out the press release: At a press conference today, United Football League Commissioner Michael Huyghue announced the Las Vegas franchise will be named the Locomotives and unveiled innovative team uniforms showcasing the Locomotives’ “Premiere” season colors of silver, blue
If you don’t get your slot jones on in the airport and can’t wait to get to a casino, you will soon be in luck: the county commission has approved a proposal for slots at the unified car rental center, even though the bid seems a bit high. From the LVRJ: Anxious to get revenue
Taking a minute from the grind of analyzing the April Nevada gaming revenues, I figured I’d post this story, which surprisingly hasn’t really been picked up by the Vegas blogosphere. From KLAS: The Raelian Movement is announcing plans to build a UFOland in Las Vegas where visitors can attend a Happiness Academy and see a
If a red flag is flying, brazen bold against the blue… Read More »
haphazard world, life in vegas, news about gamblingIf you’re a local or will be in town for Cinevegas, you definitely should check out the world premier of All In: The Poker Movie. Here are the details: Director: Douglas Tirola Cast: Features interviews with features interviews with some of the biggest names in poker today, including Humberto Brenes, Annie Duke, Antonio Esfandiari, Chris
ALL IN: THE POKER MOVIE at Cinevegas Read More »
life in vegasThe March gaming and tourism numbers are out, and it doesn’t look pretty, though only time will tell whether the bottom is near or somewhere in the distance. Statewide, all nonrestricted locations won 11.61% less this March than they in March 2008. In Las Vegas, visitor volume declined by 6.5%. Clearly, fewer people are coming
March revenue thoughts Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingI got this is my email the other day–if you are thinking about running the RnR LV Marathon this December, this might be the time to sign up: ROCKIN’ Summer Deal Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon enthusiasts unite Join us for the Inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & Half Marathon – the REAL DEAL
Rock and Roll Las Vegas Deal Read More »
life in vegasJohn Katsilometes at the LV Sun has a good piece on the failure of Star Trek: The Experience to beam down into Neonopolis in time for this week’s Trek movie mayhem: The once-optimistic plans to open phases of Star Trek Experience at Neonopolis in concert with the new “Star Trek” movie on a single date
Exploring strange new malls Read More »
life in vegasAs a former casino security officer, I take a greater concern than some with people keeping themselves safe while on vacation at a casino resort. Often, carelessness and lack of vigilance can lead to burglaries or worse. Since most crimes committed in casinos are crimes of opportunity, you can be proactive and prevent most, but
Always check your door Read More »
life in vegasHaving picked up this personality study from Marginal Revolution, I followed it through to a handy interactive map that will help me share with you the aggregate personality of Nevadans. The United States of Mind – WSJ.com. Here is where Nevada ranks: Extraversion: 37 Agreeableness: 48 Conscientiousness: 24 Neuroticism:42 Openness:9 So your typical Nevadan is
The personality of Nevada Read More »
life in vegas