When asked repeatedly about how Las Vegas can come back from the coronavirus, I kept thinking about an earlier Las Vegas disaster–the 1980 MGM Grand fire and the subsequent Las Vegas Hilton blaze, which provoked a national conversation about highrise safety. I wrote something for KNPR’s DC Blog about how Las Vegas came back from …
It Took a Fire to Change Us | Nevada Public Radio Read More »
Earlier this week, I wrote a few thoughts on why the current focus on getting back to “normal” might not be for the best: The bigger question that everyone seems to be asking is, “How long until we get back to ‘normal’?” These two announcements, which hit the wires without hours of each other, are …
Last Friday, I gave the first ever virtual Rebel Recharge lecture for UNLV’s Office of Alumni Engagement. I was asked to talk a little about what might be ahead in the future. Here is the conversation: The description for the talk was: Las Vegas has never witnessed a crisis like the one brought by COVID-19. …
Rebel Recharge Lecture: How Las Vegas Can Come Back Read More »
I’ve got a new academic paper published as a chapter in the conference proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Language and Literary studies: Language, Literature, Play and Games. It’s about what we learn when we read Sid Meier’s Civilization V as a text. The game makes some very interesting judgments and assumptions about history. …
New paper on reading Sid Meier’s Civilization V as text Read More »
I was asked to pen some reflections about what the shutdown/lockdown means to Las Vegas, so I waxed somewhat more philosophical than usual and drew on some history: However, our city and state have historically offered service on a higher level. We’ve always prided ourselves on contributing to the national mission, whether it be winning …
My latest for Comped Travel is a deeper look at a Twin River Holdings, which just bought three casinos: The move boosts the Providence-based company’s holdings and gives it a presence in three major casino markets. From Eldorado TRWH bought the MontBleu Resort, Casino, and Spa in Lake Tahoe and the Eldorado Resort Casino in …
Twin River Worldwide Stepping It Up – Comped Travel Read More »
I have started writing for CompedTravel.com. Here is my first contribution. Closing a casino, even a small one, isn’t as simple as turning off the lights and locking the doors. Ditto for hotels and cruise ships. While, for security reasons, representatives of casino and cruise operators don’t like to comment on the record about their …
Sin City: How to Shut Down a City That Never Closes – Comped Travel Read More »
I’m getting back into short-form writing! Here’s a quick commentary I wrote about the nature of change in the casino business for CDC Gaming Reports: There has been a great deal of change in the news lately for the gaming world. After more than a decade as head of MGM Resorts, Jim Murren is stepping …
Why change in the gaming industry should never surprise anyone – CDC Gaming Reports Read More »
Before you know it, I’ll be interviewing a Las Vegas musical legend in the Paul Blau Theater at the Clark County Library: In this conversation facilitated by UNLV gaming historian and author David G. Schwartz, former Musicians Union President and legendary pianist/director/conductor Frank Leone will talk about his experiences in Las Vegas entertainment over the …
Upcoming Event – An Evening with Frank Leone at the Clark County Library Read More »
I’ve just had an essay published in which I consider the role of gambling in America. Pretty big topic, and this is certainly not the last word, but it’s the best that I’ve been able to come up with: Today legal gambling in the United States is widely accepted and more prevalent than ever. But …
The Consumer Age Turned Americans Into Gamblers | Essay | Zócalo Public Square Read More »