June '06 Insider Viewpoint Column

As our name states…Insider Viewpoint of Las Vegas, the facts and gossip from the streets of Las Vegas.

June 15, 2006 Street Facts

* It is official, Las Vegas is more than just a casino city. Las Vegas has been undergoing a switch from a reliance on gaming revenues to non gaming. Fifteen years ago 72% of its income came from gaming but today 46% is gaming-related.

* Contrary to the rumors that Ice Nightclub is going to be torn down any day soon, the reality is that until November 2007 it is protected. After that date the Edge Group and the W Hotel ( the owners of the land) can settle on an early termination of the lease that really expires in 2012. Most likely Ice Nightclub will be removed in 2008 because in that year Greg Neely, the principal owner of Ice Nightclub, would receive that largest amount according to a sliding scale early buyout. Ice Nightclub continues to make improvements and is expected to open the club five nights a week as an ultra lounge, live music and food.

* For those of you who have nothing to do in the afternoons you might want to try Venus, the name for the Caesars Palace pool. This summer it appears the jet set, movie star, pro athlete hangout is going to be Venus.

* Join Opportunity Village for this first time event! Play Texas Hold'em with celebrities for the chance to win cash and prizes. The tournament will take place in the fabulous Caesars Palace Poker Tournament Room, June 24, 2006 from 1p to 6p. The VIP Reception and "Loser's Lounge" will start at 1:30 p.m. in the PURE Nightclub with a silent auction. Last day to register is June 20.

* Imperial Palace Casino will issue limited edition 30th anniversary commemorative casino chips beginning Sunday, June 18. The gaming tokens will be available at 10a at the casino cage. Only 500 $5, 100 $25 and 50 $100 chips have been commissioned. On the day of issue, purchasers may buy only five $5, two $25 and one $100 chips per visit to the cage window. One side of the chips features old photos showing the Imperial Palace. The Imperial Palace anticipates issuing additional limited edition commemorative chips this year to recognize the 5 millionth showgoer to attend “Legends in Concert,” the celebrity tribute spectacular now in its 24th year; and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Auto Collections.

* The 2006 Fan Fair will be held on Thursday, August 24 and Friday, August 25, and will consist of admission to the Annual Adult Nightclub & Exotic Dancer Awards Show - the adult nightclub industry’s only national awards show -the Fan Fair Meet & Greet Tradeshow and the Feature Showcase Spectacular (the Fan Fair Tradeshow & Showcase will be held at the Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club on August 25 from 12-7p). Entertainers who are scheduled to attend Fan Fair 2006 include: Chelsea Charms, Crystal Gunns, Minka, Summer Cummings, Angelica Wild, Chevelle, Devon Lee, Devon Michaels, Kayla Kupcakes, Melissa Wolf, The Morrell Twins, Ashley Andrews, Cleopatra of the Nile, Kloey Love, Leslie Wells, Lexi Lamour, Donna Doll, Rhiannon, Miss Bunny, Serenna Starr and Ruby, with many more expected to announce their attendance in the coming weeks. Also, adult film superstarlet Nina Mercedez is scheduled to host the Feature Showcase Spectacular.

* Dennis Hopper and famous model Kristina Apgar will celebrate their birthdays at Tao Nightclub, inside the Venetian Casino.

When flying this summer be prepared just in case your flight is delayed. Over the past six years the number of US Airline planes has decreased by 21%. According to the Air Transport Association the number of domestic flights have been cut by 2.3%. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics two months ago 78% of the US flights made their destination within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival time. Last year on time arrivals were at 83.4%. April of 2006 was the largest number of delayed flights in 11 years.

* This week is the launch of “80 Proof” an 80's type nightspot located inside the Empire Ballroom Nightclub. Who said the 80's is dead and forgotten?

* Little Anthony & The Imperials will rock on Saturday, July 8 at 8p at the Cannery Casino. Tickets are $15.95 and $9.95. Tickets go on-sale Saturday, June 17 at the Cannery Casino & Hotel’s ticket sales counter.

* Tropicana Casino has a few new items. First their swim up blackjack table is open for the summer and second the Artifact Exhibition reopened. Last and not least the Tropicana has been sold for a price of $2.75 billion.

* The Cannery has completed their phase one, $45 million, expansion which includes a new poker room, a state-of-the-art sports book featuring 129 seats with individual 15” computer screen and earphones. Phase two will include a 14-screen movie theater, two new restaurants and a 300-person bingo parlor

* Speaking of Casinos selling, how about one closing. Yes, on June 30, 2006 the Klondike is scheduled to close it doors in order to make room for the new 25 story, 1200 unit condo project. Construction on the project will start in February of 2007. The new owners are Columbia Sussex.

* Summer is upon us, the 100+ degree days are common and worst of all that means it is time for those wicked summer fires. Nevada, Arizona, California is expected to be hit the hardest, in forest and range fires, this year than any other year in the past 25. Please, be careful when you are enjoying the nature around Las Vegas.

* The new Las Vegas entry in the American Basketball Association will hold their first Open Tryout on Saturday, July 8 at Christ the King Gymnasium, 4925 South Torrey Pines Drive Ave, Las Vegas. Doors open at 9a and tryouts will run from 10a-2p. The cost of the tryout is $75 in advance and is due by June 30. The fee for walk-ins is $100.

* It is time to get your poker face on, take your money out of your pocket and enter the 2006 World Series of Poker Tournaments. Starting June 25 at the Rio Casino, this year’s tournament is expected to be the largest ever. The buy in’s for the tournament range from $500 to $50,000. Good luck and remember... you got to know when to foldem.