Las Vegas Review-Journal Photos of the Year 2011 - Multimedia - ReviewJournal.com

2011 Menorah Lighting On Fremont Street


Las Vegas Review-Journal Photos of the Year 2011 - Multimedia - ReviewJournal.com

Please Contribute To The Chabad Of Mumbai Relief Fund

Photo provided by Chabad.org, Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg, left, and his wife Rivkah

Click image above to donate to the Chabad Of Mumbai Relief Fund. Does not matter if you are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, agnostic or atheist, please help if you can...

I know that this is completely off-topic and a radical departure from this usually light blog, but it is really hard for me to post anything with levity tonight when such heaviness is hanging over the world.

Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, the beloved directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Mumbai, were killed during one of the worst terrorist attacks to strike India in recent memory.

Their child survived the attack, witnessing the slaughter of his parents; when the Mother was slaughtered while holding the child, she fell over, covering the child who subsequently crawled away and was rescued by an Indian nannycook at the Chabad center. The child is exactly two years old tomorrow (Saturday). Ironically, the child's name is Moses ( Moshe ).

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Click here to contribute.

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US Jewish, meditation groups' members die in India.

India's 911: Synchronicity and Coincidence in Mumbai

The Times Of India: Five US citizens killed in Mumbai attacks

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Oddz "n" Endz And Random Thoughts By A Vegas Local

Postcard From "The Edge"

This will be a short post about a few random observations: some thankful, some not, on this day before Thanksgiving --- proving once again that advice, ( both good & bad) is cheap...

• If you wake up early in the morning either out of necessity or because you have insomnia like me, none of the local Vegas morning talk radio shows are as entertaining ( or "stimulating" ) as KFI Los Angeles' Bill Handel In The Morning ( live Monday-Friday from 5-9AM on KFI AM 570 ). So get yourself a good car antenna, get satellite radio, or listen on the Internet!
  
  
• In Henderson, where I live, it is OK to not have reservations ( if you intend to eat out, and G-d bless you if you are cooking your own meal -- please invite me over next year! ) for Thanksgiving tomorrow because when the economy goes bad, the rich stop eating out. There will be plenty of so-called "upscale" or "high end" restaurants that serve Thanksgiving meals that will not require reservations. And "black Friday" will have a new meaning, it will mean "bleak" as opposed to "out of the red".



• If you are a senior citizen, or even if you can cleverly disguise yourself as one :-) South Point Casino offers $3 movie tickets with a player's card from Monday thru Thursday before 6PM. Go see "Quantum Of Solace" --- it's a really fun movie even if you aren't a James Bond fan.



• If you are dumb enough to enjoy gambling ( like me, but I really limit myself ) and you want to join a player's club, join the one at Casino Monte Lago at the Lake Las Vegas Resort, because they have the coolest "free" gifts.



• If you live near Henderson and are not one of those Summerlin snobs ( just kidding ! ) the best back East Jewish style deli is Weiss Restaurant Deli Bakery --- avoid it during the lunch hour if you don't want to wait to be seated.



• Gas prices will not stay low forever, so enjoy the less than $2 gas for now. Celebrate by jumping in your car and drive aimlessly in any direction so you can enjoy filling up your tank again at these historically low prices! And call this the good old days. Live long enough to tell your grandchildren how we f--ked up their lives with all this national debt. And how we finally sold this beautiful country to the Red Chinese government. And my advice is to invest in paper and ink companies, because they will not be able to print money fast enough!

Sorry, but I had to get all that off my chest. My shrink says it is not good to hold in all those "feelings".

Now, back to your normal programming...

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Happy Thanksgiving from the staff & management of "What's Happening, Vegas?" !


"Who's The Turkey, Now?"

A Pensive Fathers Day In Vegas

In case you think I've lost my mind today, I am going way "off topic" for this blog. I'm peeking a little over the dark precipice to see how deep it really is.

I have no recommendations for where to celebrate Father's Day --- just get the local paper and peruse all the buffet and restaurant offerings. In Vegas, everyday is like a holiday and an excuse to overindulge.

I am in a very sober and reflective mood on this particular Father's Day. So no sarcasm or usual bad jokes. I am a stepfather of two grown men who don't even call their biological mother on Mother's Day; so it is very hard to get into a festive state of mind using Father's Day as an excuse. ( allow me to vent a little ).

While enjoying a late meal at the Casino Monte Lago last night I caught myself intensely observing the young ( 20 something ) crowd enjoying their youth and vitality. I must be getting old, because it used to annoy me to watch my aging mother and her friends just sit on a bench half the day watching people and the world go by. When I "mall walk" --- this is a something that I see very often -- old people ( screw PC ! -- we all get old eventually! ) sitting there and watching younger people walk by, all day! And I say to myself I'll never be like that... And then slowly I find myself watching young people having fun and the involuntary thought pops up: "Youth Is wasted on the young..." But these millennial children, this new generation of spiritually minded intuitives, are mankind's only hope; and some of them seem ready to take their part in finally making things right. One can only hope and pray.

OK, since I'm letting it all hang out... What the hell is going on with Flag Day? I personally think that Obama and his flag lapel pin rhetoric made everybody nuts. In the Henderson neighborhood where I live nobody was displaying the flag yesterday. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't yesterday Flag Day? We drove to Overton Nevada, a small mostly Mormon populated town north of Vegas and all the families were displaying flags. I questioned one of the residents and he was quick to answer "We are all patriots here". God bless them all. When did displaying a flag and expressing a love for this country become wrong? OK. You can legally burn a flag ( what a mistake that decision was - thanks to the frickin' ACLU ) but that does not mean you have to hide your patriotism. Remember how people displayed the flag after September 11, 2001? Do we all feel that disenfranchised? And if you truly hate this country --- please leave!

Yes, I know times are tough for many people. I know many people are having financial difficulties and have other things on their minds like keeping their jobs, houses and cars --- and paying for gas. Yesterday I was driving south on the 95 towards Henderson and this old beat up pickup truck just stalled right in front of me in the center lane while I was following him ( luckily at a safe distance ) at 65 MPH. I had to quickly hit the breaks maneuver around this jerk and hope that the guy tailgating me wasn't distracted on his cell phone. I was lucky to avoid a serious accident. Now the question is: did this guy just run out of gas driving on the Freeway?

Last night, the security guard at Casino Monte Lago handed me my car keys and joked "Drive carefully ...if you do, you are the only one!" I told him about my near miss with death and he said he only drives on surface streets. This running out of gas in the middle of the Freeway thing might be a trend or unforeseen consequence of the oil crises. Drive carefully indeed!

So, in conclusion I am hoping that there is a dawn, and that is why this seems like the darkest hour.

Back to normal posts tomorrow!

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Vega$ TV Series

I have never watched one episode of Las Vegas, the TV series which aired on NBC from September 22, 2003 to February 15, 2008. So, even though it got mixed reviews, I will have to eventually catch up with the series. Luckily ( and such a rare thing this luck can be ) there are DVDs available on Amazon.com that cover all five seasons. So if I'm ever bedridden, I would definitely consider catching up.

But at the risk of revealing my age, I must admit that the Vegas TV series that stands out in my mind is the ABC series Vega$ that aired between 1978 and 1981. It was one of the influences that made me want to move to Vegas back then.

Vega$ is an American detective television drama series that aired on ABC between 1978 and 1981. It was produced by Aaron Spelling. The series, (with the exception of special episodes in Hawaii & San Francisco) was filmed in its entirety in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is believed to be the first television series produced entirely in Las Vegas. The show starred Robert Urich as private detective Dan Tanna, who drove around the streets of Las Vegas in a red 1957 Ford Thunderbird solving crimes and making Las Vegas a better place for residents and tourists alike. The series was one of the first shows to air on the FX Network when it began in 1994 but has not aired in the U.S. in over a decade. -from the Wikipedia article.

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Vega$ IMDB profile.

Click here for theme song.

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Vega$ Intro ( 1978 )

Vega$ Pilot Opening

Zen & The Art Of Poker

Zen & The Art Of Poker

Tournament poker can be very exciting, but like many exciting things in life, it can also be terrifying. There is nothing quite like the thrill of playing at a big money final table.

Zen has always been associated with the fine arts of flower arranging, calligraphy, and tea making. But there is also quite a tradition of Zen in swordsmanship and archery. Through reading these books and in particular "Zen in the Art of Archery," I have a greater understanding of the process one goes through to master an art form.

There are four basic stages that a player must pass through to achieve poker mastery:

1. Beginner's Passion
   

   
   "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's there are few." Shunryu Suzuki
   

   
   A journey that might lead to poker mastery must begin with passion. There is a boundless enthusiasm in the novice poker player's attitude. Poker is fun. It is played with no fear. There is a lack of self-consciousness. The game is played with joy.



2. The Student Emerges
   

   
   "He is now forced to admit that he is at the mercy of everyone who is stronger, more nimble and more practiced than he." Eugen Herrigel
   

   
   At some point, the joy and boundless passion for the game must give way to a structured effort to learn the game. There is a great deal of technical skill needed to succeed at poker. And at the beginning of this journey a great depression can overwhelm the student. He suddenly fears those that are more skilled than he. He longs for the days of blissful ignorance, when he only played because it was fun.
   
   Once I became comfortable playing at a new level, my confidence would return, my newfound technical skills would become internalized, and my spontaneity would return. This process has taken over twenty years, and has included countless cycles of diving into the poker unknown, followed by the eventual feeling that I belong at that new level.



3. Expert Level is Achieved
   

   
   "He who has a hundred miles to walk should reckon ninety as half the journey" Japanese Proverb
   

   
   After years of study, a poker player can achieve expert status. If, however, she becomes satisfied in her success, then mastery will be forever beyond her reach. Improving as a poker player is a never ending process. The competition is always changing and adapting. If a player fails to change and adapt also, then the competition will close the gap or, even worse, pass her by.
   
   Twenty years into my poker career, I found myself having success both in tournaments and side games. But I also felt like I wasn't progressing like I wanted. I seemed to hit a wall in my poker development. I had always been mindful to never become satisfied with my game. But I was, increasingly, finding it difficult to improve.
   
   Every tournament is different. There are different games, different formats, different levels of skill in your opponents, and different settings. And suddenly, hole card cameras were added to the mix. I then turned my attention to reading about some of the Zen arts. I had studied Zen Buddhism in high school, and it had always appealed to me. But, I now saw the study of the Zen arts as a way to make some breakthroughs in my poker development.



4. Poker, One Hand at a Time
   

   
   "If one really wishes to be master of an art, technical knowledge of it is not enough. One has to transcend technique so that the art becomes an 'artless art' growing out of the Unconscious" Daisetz T. Suzuki
   

   
   Staying in the moment is the path to poker mastery. And it is poker tournaments that present the greatest challenge to this goal. But, I believe that the study of the Zen arts can lead you down that path.
   
   I realized that the more I could stay focused on the present hand and forget about bad beats and bad plays from my recent past, the better I would play. I also concluded that even more damaging to my focus on the present hand might be the nervousness brought on by thoughts of winning the tournament. Staying in the moment at the poker table is not an easy task. But, when I read "Zen in the Art of Archery," there was a concept that stayed with me. The master archer hits the target without having aimed. This meant that the more I tried to focus on the moment, the more I would not succeed. I could only find that focus from within myself. I decided that I would sit at the table and relax. For two years now, I have been practicing my own form of poker meditation. Instead of trying hard to focus, I allow it to happen through relaxation.
   
   I have started to walk the last ten miles in my poker journey, and I am prepared for that walk to take me the rest of my life.

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CREDITS:

Howard Lederer is a two-time WPT champion and winner of two WSOP gold bracelets. You can play poker with Howard online at FullTiltPoker.com.

The above is a much abridged version of the article, for copyright reasons.

To read the full article click here.

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Try Reiki For Energy And Healing In Las Vegas

I have personally received and experienced some free Reiki healings recently.
Please SUPPORT FREE REIKI healings that are done at the WWRO Community. They do not charge for healings, BUT donations are kindly accepted to keep the WWRO community for one and all. If you would like to make a donation then simply goto the WWRO HOME PAGE and look on the menu or simply go HERE.

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You are young and alive and feeling no pain. So you never think about getting older and maintaining your health.

But keeping healthy is the one of the most important things you can do for yourself. You must have a feeling of well being to enjoy your life, and that includes your home, your work, and the fun you are having on your visit to Vegas!

Please visit the Reiki Secrets site and take advantage of Master Lee's free offerings. Reiki really works!

Please support WHV's sponsors and advertisers!

Born Under A Bad Sign

Albert King : Born Under A Bad Sign

I really think that there is such a thing as a lucky streak, although I will never be able to prove it. The problem is that most people that experience a lucky streak don't realize it is over, and then their lucky streak becomes an unlucky streak. Morale of the story: know when to quit. ( I know, it is easier said than done. )

I also think that some people are inherently luckier than others, but it is hard to tell if their anticipation of good things happening in their lives opens the door for good things to happen to them. Chicken or egg, which came first?

I think there is such a thing as bad luck, and some people seem to have more of it than others. It just might be their outlook on life that is causing the bad luck, or it just might be their karma. Or their stupor - station ( or stupid situation?).

In the casino the other day I notice that there is a multi reel video gambling game that is called "Change Your Luck" --- it features thirteen buttons, black cats, walking under a ladder, broken mirrors, the number thirteen, etc. If you lose playing it, what have you proved? Does it just confirm that you are still unlucky?

So when you go into a casino with the intention of winning, do you have a better chance than somebody who does not? I think it would be a neat idea if casinos let you play a while for nothing just to "test your luck" and then if your luck is good, you could continue to play for money.

On the highest level of reality there really is no such thing as luck, just the sh-t that happens to all of us living in this relative world. The trick is to accept everything that happens to you as a gift and deal with it. It is called life and there are lessons to be learned here.

One lesson I am learning a lot lately is to stay away from any games that claim to "Change Your Luck".

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Important Editor's note: the staff and management of WHV apologize for the poor quality of this post - our chief ghost writer, one Kevin H. Speigelbrecher, has gone on strike in sympathy of the Hollywood TV writers. Either that, or he is wandering Fremont Street East in search of hookers and drugs. Hopefully, the great quality of writing will return to WHV once Kevin returns and the WHV PageRank is restored. Apparently, Kevin took our PageRank with him, and did not realize that it does not have any value in any pawn shop, or as legal tender for any debts, either public and private. We at WHV hope that he scores well on Fremont, and returns soon from his quest because he needs the paltry money we pay him to support his nasty habits. ( If it wasn't for bad luck, Kevin wouldn't have any no luck at all. :-)

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Happy Humble First Anniversary, WHV!

Free Birthday Note Generator

What's Happening Vegas is a very humble blog with very humble beginnings. I started it approximately a year ago with the un-lofty idea to use writing as a therapy --- a so called "creative outlet" --- to divert my attention from my then constant clinical depression, and also to pay for my cable modem bill. On both of these non altruistic counts, I have succeeded. But overall, WHV is probably a failure, in that I believe it is really impossible to convey what it is like for the average ( read: not too rich or poor ) local bloke to live in ( or near ) this great city of Las Vegas. To gain any insight into Vegas life, you would really have to move here and live here for awhile and come to your own conclusions --- being an occasional tourist is really not enough. Other blogs written by locals probably do a much better job conveying what life is like here in Vegas. In any case, Vegas is changing so quickly, for better or worse, that it is really hard to categorize anything about it.

So averaging one blog post per weekday ( but not uniformly ) with wildly varying quality and various levels of plagiarism, I look back and say it was maybe a good start at best. I have ideas to make this into a really great blog ( you know: PageRank 8 and 10,000 hits a day!). Unfortunately, my current health condition can not support the same efforts in the future, for what they are worth, and so I am inviting anybody who genuinely loves Las Vegas and can write decently about "All Things Vegas" to write to me about guest blogging or co-authoring this humble blog. My e-mail is embedded in my profile. You don't even have to live here to contribute!

There are many intangible social benefits to blogging. I would like to thank the several blogging friends I have made over the last year, some of whom are linked to in my side panel. These cyber-friendships have also helped to keep my sanity at times. Some day I would like to actually meet these wonderful people.

Lastly, but not leastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Christine ( Xtine ) from Global Peace GrooVes for her exceptionally useful contributions and excellent insights that may have kept this blog boat floating whilst I was bailing out the water and desperately trying to repair the leaks.

Is Las Vegas A Safe Place To Live?

I've been reading the local Vegas forums lately, and somebody always says that Vegas is a great place to visit, but they would not necessarily ( or they would "definitely not" ) want to live here. Just Google for "bad areas in Las Vegas" or something, to get the flavor of it all.

The short answer is Vegas can most definitely be a good place to live. (Lord knows, enough people are moving here!) So if that satisfies you, read no further. Honestly, I owe no homage to the Tourism Bureau, they spend millions developing mere slogans and are more interested in attracting tourists than making Vegas a better place to live. That would be the Mayor's and City Council's job, and since I am not a political blogger, no comment.

Vegas Is An "Island Oasis" In The Desert

Let me start with this biggie downer: when gas prices go into the 5 to 10 dollar a gallon range (see Life After The Oil Crash) Vegas will no longer be Vegas as we know it. We depend on over 90% of our goods (food, materials,etc..) being shipped here, mostly via trucks. If those trucks stop rolling, the supermarket shelves become empty in a few days. Even at the current three dollars a gallon, I see a trend where the hotels are offering rebates to their customers who drive here. A large portion of Vegas' revenues are from Southern Californians who drive to Vegas. Next, as prices keep going up, the casinos will have to subsidize the truckers to keep those buffet lines moving!

Is It Safe?

No place is absolutely safe to live. But Vegas can be relatively safe if you carefully chose where you live. Sound simplistic, but this is true in any large city - we all know that the crime rate is rising everywhere. So live in the area with the lowest rates, like much of Henderson and all of Summerlin, for example. The safest areas are always in the more affluent suburbs. But if you can't afford to live there, there are good alternatives if you just do your homework. Contact a competent realtor and check the local crimes stats. Learn how to protect yourself and be alert to what is happening around you. Good advice anywhere, not just in Vegas. 'Nuff said.

Unnatural Disasters

Vegas is actually in an earthquake zone, but I don't remember there ever being a major quake here. (we had a 2+ a few days ago). Even the Nevada Test Site has stopped shaking the tall buildings with their occasional underground nuclear bomb tests. Vegas gets no tsunamis (unless you count Wayne Newton constantly washing on our shores), hurricanes, or tornadoes. We do get the occasional dust storm and flash floods. ( Please, don't drive through rushing water. ) Heat waves occur every year (It's called Summer) and kill about 30 to 40 people annually. Remember to drink plenty of water and stay indoors in air conditioned comfort, if at all possible. Rev. Mercurial Mike's sermon is over, pass the collection plate, please. (Oh, I forgot, OK to party here but please don't drink and drive!)

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Click here for recent earthquakes near Las Vegas.

Gangs

There are currently over 300 unique gangs in the Las Vegas Valley and the number is rising. There are over 8,000 gang members residing here. The gangs are mostly originating from Southern California, and the police are not quite on top of the situation, having to create more and more task forces and special anti-gang units. The number of gang bangers and wannabee gang bangers swells during Vegas events like boxing matches, certain concerts, and the Final Four games.

This trend can only get worse and hopefully won't be in your neighborhood soon. I have lived in other cities where I had to move to get away from the effects of the spread of gangs. Support your local police by reporting any and all gang activity.

Terrorism Target?

As the modern Gomorrah, sin city will always be in the top ten list of potential target cities. Be alert! Report suspicious activities. 'Nuff said.

"In order to prevent terrorist attacks and other crime in London, the government installed cameras to watch the streets. Metro police want to do the same..."

In light of the recent car bombing attacks in Great Britain, maybe this is a good idea?

See the entire article from Las Vegas Channel 8 Eyewitness News.

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Is Vegas on the list of cities that are targeted by terrorists?

Is Vegas Family Friendly?

In some suburbs of Vegas, it is no different than any other typical Southwestern city. When I raised a family here, it was in the late eighties. The schools were great then. Can't really say for sure what is going on now. I would rather not comment on the state of the educational system today (a complete failure?) but like I said, this is not a political blog. Maybe somebody can volunteer their opinion. I see kids walking home from school, and I wonder who is caring for them.

If You Live Here, You Can't Gamble Here

Not true. I see plenty of people who live here gambling. :)

It does take some control and recognition of when it is becoming an addiction - no different than drinking. There is the social drinker and there is the alcoholic. There are enough nickel and penny slots to keep me busy for hours on a very small, affordable "investment". Costs less than a hour with a good shrink. It's supposed to be entertainment, folks. Each person should judge when it no longer is fun and when gambling becomes a problem.

Perhaps the greatest advantage of living in the "open all day and night" town known as Las Vegas is this: if I want to visit Vegas, all I have to do is roll out of bed and jump into my car! (Uh, shame on you, you know what I meant! Yes! I would get dressed first! )

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Related: Las Vegas Tries to Prevent a Water Shortage - article from Popular Mechanics.

Related: LAS VEGAS - A survival kit for when good times go badfrom The Chicago Tribune.

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Oh, I Forgot To Mention...

The other kind of heat that can get you in Vegas... Please co-operate with the local authorities. They have to deal with all kinds of people, especially in Vegas, and 99% of the time they are only doing their job. If you really are innocent, then what do you have to fear, just listen and do what they tell you to do. The police are following a play book and procedure to protect both you and them, and they don't know who you are if they approach you for any reason. And they must always have a good reason.

The video below clearly demonstrates what happens when someone decides not to listen to what the police are saying to them:


Cops-Las Vegas Heat - More bloopers are a click away

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And this little item just came in from Lew Rockwell's Blog:

July 06, 2007

Four Wounded in Vegas Shooting

Posted by Casey Khan at July 6, 2007 09:14 AM

Is New York, NY casino in Las Vegas safer than New York City? Is it safer than Virginia Tech?

At 1am, a local man came into the casino and began opening fire, shooting 4 until tackled to the ground by "officers and patrons." Were these "officers" private security guards or cops? In any case the casino is already up and running this morning performing "business as usual." Maybe they should move the New Stock Exchange down to Vegas, they mind find better security and capability to keep their operations open.

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City Data Forum Discussion Thread: "Is Living In Las Vegas Overrated?"


City Data Forum Discussion Thread: "Las Vegas Is A Cesspool"

Criss Angel Does Not Live Here

I have received several e-mails from people who think I might have some special access to Criss Angel and even one who thought I was Criss Angel!

I am a Criss Angel fan and I sometimes blog about him ( I even met him once ) but that's the extent of my relationship with Criss Angel, unfortunately!

I know Criss has a young following demographically, and judging by the tone, grammar, and vocabulary of some of these e-mails, I think most of them are from kids in grade school.

Given that kind of audience, I hope Criss will do more to set a good example for the kids out there who apparently really idolize him. They certainly do not have too many good role models in this brave new world. Criss is to these kids what Superman was to me when I was a wee lad --- many, many years ago. Some of us kids put on a cape and unfortunately a few of us attempted to fly off tall buildings. As Criss would say, do not attempt to duplicate his illusions at home! ( Or you might wind up in the next episode of the "Darwin Awards" ).

I would suggest that anybody wishing to contact Criss directly should write directly to his production company:

Criss Angel Mindfreak Production Office

Luxor Hotel

3900 Las Vegas Blvd S.

Las Vegas, NV 89119

And Criss, if you're reading this and have a better idea, well, please don't hesitate to contact me! ( I'm dreaming! )

Tonight's Episode 50 - Prisoner Transport Escape

According to the A&E Criss Angel episode guide.

Tuesday, July 10 10:30pm ET
Wednesday, July 11 2:30am ET
Sunday, July 15 7:00pm ET

After being locked in a mailbag, Criss will attempt to escape a caged truck filled with explosives as it races towards the edge of a cliff. Then he visits a golf course and shows off some golfing skills that even Tiger Woods would envy. He uses his unique powers on the fairways and putting greens, and shocks a group of golfers by levitating high over the course and the trees.

Pardon Me Miss, Your Vegas Is Showing - WTF?

The following is from KOLO TV in Reno:

'Las Vegas tourism boosters plan to test a new slogan to compliment the wildly successful "What happens here, stays here" campaign.

Tourism officials have applied for a trademark on the phrase "Your Vegas is showing," the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Friday.

The phrase has yet to be tested by focus groups and survey respondents, but if it fares well it could appear in print ads and on television as early as this fall, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said.

It might also end up on the cutting room floor...'

One would only hope so! What a lousy slogan!

The question is, doesn't Vegas pretty much speak for itself? Why does Vegas need yet another slogan? Wasn't "Vegas, baby!" bad enough? We all know why people come to Vegas (gambling, partying, sex, sex, gambling...) Why not let Vegas speak for itself?

What the frick does the new slogan mean anyway? Comes from the phrase "your slip is showing" I presume. Subliminal advertising? I see Freud in a slip. Superficially how would you show your Vegas? Under hypnosis, how would you display your Vegas, if that were suggested to you? Ladies and Gentlemen, please show us your Vegas. Might be an interesting experiment for a stage hypnotist. Where is your Vegas, anyway? Part of your wardrobe, anatomy, or psyche? I really don't get it!

Who came up with this slogan? Fifth graders could have done better. For example, "Vegas is a state of mind" -- now that has more of an intellectual ring to it - but New York City already took it with the "New York state of mind" catchphrase. Anyway, Vegas is more of a "turn off your mind" kind of place. How about "I left my money in Vegas"? Now I can identify with that!

Vegas Is Next To Google In Brand Name Rankings. And like Google, the name speaks for itself --- a slogan is redundant and unnecessary.

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Why Does This Slogan Just Sound Nasty? :)

The slogan sounds too much like:

"Your vagueness is showing" - after too much to drink?

"You vegus (nerve) is showing" - after too much to eat (you get gerd?)

"Your vague gas is showing" - well, excuse me!

Don't Let Nevada's DUI Laws Stop You In Las Vegas

Sorry to sound like a party pooper here, but ...

Higher gas prices may be highest on your list of things to worry about before you drive to or in Vegas this Memorial Day weekend, but there is one other potential problem for you to consider.

I know what the Vegas ads say. Come to Vegas and do things you normally would not do at home. That's fine, but there are limits - what stays here might be you. If you are drinking (or whatever), arrange for alternate transportation. I was stopped by the police and charged with a DUI last year, but fortunately I was able to successfully defend myself in court and have it reduced. You may not be so "lucky". Even so, believe me, you do not want to go through what I went through!

This Memorial Day weekend just assume that there will be numerous Metro Police sobriety checkpoints throughout the Valley ( as there usually is for all major holiday weekends ). Those of you partying at or on Lake Mead, be particularly cautious - the Park Police have the authority to arrest you for open containers, etc., a definite damper on holiday fun!

Come to Vegas to have a good time, but don't think you can do anything really stupid and get away with it. For example, don't drink (or use drugs - legal or illegal - that impair your driving ) and drive. You may have to stay in Vegas a lot longer than you expected with less than desirable accommodations!

For those who may be interested (fore warned is fore armed), here is an outline of Nevada's strict DUI laws ( All others can just cruise by ... )

Across the United States, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI) is a serious offense and carries harsh penalties. It's no different in the state of Nevada. Beyond alcohol and illegal drugs, the DUI charge even applies to prescription and over-the-counter remedies when taking them impairs your ability to safely drive a car.

Blood Alcohol Concentration Limit

The illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Nevada is:

* 0.02% for drivers under the age of 21

* 0.04% for commercial license holders

* 0.08% for everyone else

The BAC applies only to alcohol. If any detectable amount of an illegal substance―like cocaine or marijuana―is found in your blood, you'll receive at least the same penalties as you would for alcohol, and perhaps even more.

DUI Laws

The Illegal Per Se Law simply means that driving with a BAC at or above the legally prescribed limit is an offense in and of itself. However, because the BAC limits are just a guide, you can also be arrested or cited for having a lower―but still detectable―amount of alcohol in your system.

The Implied Consent Law means that you must submit to BAC testing when requested by a police officer. Getting into the car while under the influence of drugs or alcohol already "implies" your consent to being tested.

If you resist, law enforcement has been given permission to use reasonable force. You can also be arrested immediately for resisting (this is the more likely result).

The Open Container Law makes it illegal to drive a vehicle with opened alcoholic beverages anywhere in the car. It doesn't apply, however, to the living areas of a motor home or RV, or the passenger areas of buses, taxis, and limousines.If you are driving under the influence with minors under the age of 15 in your car, that will be considered an "aggravating circumstance" and will undoubtedly result in harsher penalties.

If you are convicted of driving under the influence, you will be charged an extra $60 for the chemical tests, if any were done at the time of your arrest.

The Penalties

Getting a DUI comes with two different types of consequence: administrative and criminal. The DMV will impose penalties on you and your license (administrative), and the courts may fine you and press charges (criminal).

The DMV will suspend your license upon your arrest for DUI. To get your license back after both this suspension and the court-imposed suspension have elapsed, you will be required to do the following at the DMV:

* Pay a $65 driver license reinstatement fee.

* Pay a $35 Victims Compensation Civil Penalty.

* Pay a $21.75 driver license application fee.

* Retake the vision and written tests, and possibly also the skills test.

* Have your insurance company file an SR-22 certificate with the DMV for three years.

The above penalties relate to a first offense only; consequences may be more serious for subsequent offenses.

Note: Requesting the required SR-22 certificate from your insurance company will usually result in your premiums doubling or tripling for those three years. Some insurers don't provide SR-22s and may drop you altogether.

The following are the criminal penalties for DUI convictions. This list applies to drivers over the age of 21 who aren't commercial license holders. Penalties could be harsher for young drivers (quicker and longer suspensions) and commercial drivers.

First conviction:

* Driver license revoked for 90 days. After 45 days, you may be eligible to apply for a restricted license that will enable you to drive to work and back.

* Jail sentence of at least two days and up to six months, or 96 hours of community service.

* Fine of at least $400 and up to $1,000.

* Mandatory attendance at DUI school; average cost is $150 for tuition.

* Possible order to attend a substance-abuse treatment program.

Second conviction within seven years:

* Driver license revoked for one year. You will not be eligible for a restricted license.

* Jail sentence or home arrest of at least 10 days and up to six months.

* Fine of at least $750 and up to $1,000.

* One hundred to 200 hours of mandatory community service.

* Possible car registration suspension.

* Possible order to attend a substance-abuse treatment program or undergo clinical supervision for up to one year.

Third (or more) conviction within seven years:

* Driver license revoked for three years; you may be eligible for a restricted license under certain circumstances.

* Prison sentence of at least one and up to six years.

* Fine of at least $2,000 and up to $5,000.

* Possible car registration suspension.

DUI causing death or serious injury (even on a first offense):

* Driver license revoked for three years.

* Prison sentence of at least two and up to 20 years.

* Fine of at least $2,000 and up to $5,000.

If you are arrested for a DUI offense, you're in for some time at the police station and some time in court. You may wish to have a DUI lawyer by your side while you make the decision whether to plead guilty or not guilty. If you decide to fight the charges, you'll have your best chance of succeeding if you appoint a lawyer.

Protect Yourself from Other Drivers

Even if you aren't driving under the influence yourself, your life can be drastically altered forever by coming into contact with someone who is. When you see a car on the road that is driving erratically or otherwise makes you think the driver is impaired, stay away from it. You can even report the driver by dialing *NHP (*647) on your cell phone.

The following are signs that a driver may be driving while impaired:

* Turning too widely

* Straddling the center line, or swerving between two lanes

* Near collisions with people or objects

* Weaving or drifting from lane to lane

* Driving off-road, or ignoring turn lanes and continuing straight

* Driving too fast or too slowly

* Stopping in the road for no reason

* Tailgating

* Erratic, uneven braking

* Driving into oncoming traffic

* Slow response to traffic lights or signs

* Sudden speed changes

* Driving at night without headlights

Additional Resources

The DMV has prepared an information sheet on DUI called Driving Under the Influence.

The following are other, non-DMV-related resources for awareness and information about the problem of driving under the influence:

* Stop DUI (Las Vegas): (702) 456-7687

* Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD):

* Reno: (775) 322-8852

* Winnemucca: (775) 625-3500

* Dayton: (775) 246-7522

* National Commission on Drunk Driving

* Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)

* What's Driving You?

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Medical marijuana patient charged with DUI

May 24, 2007 10:49 AM from KVBC Channel 3 Las Vegas:

A Henderson man faces DUI charges, but he says he's done nothing wrong. That's because he is a legal medical marijuana patient.

Reggie Morgan has liver cancer that is in remission, but he says he is still in a lot of pain, so he smokes marijuana to ease the discomfort. He says he has all the paperwork to make it legal - a doctors note, a letter from the Department of Agriculture, even a medical marijuana ID card.

Recently he was pulled over by a state trooper and charged with driving under the influence. We spoke with Metro police about this issue; they say legal or not, no one under the influence of drugs should be behind the wheel.

"He needs to stay home and tend to his medical issues, not being out driving putting you and me and my families at risk," said Metro Sgt. Phillip George.

NHP took a blood sample from Morgan and it showed marijuana in his system. Morgan says he was not under the influence at the time and that the drug would turn up in his system from prior use.

Accused Vegas Bomber Guilty in ID Case

The illegal alien who planted the bomb had a false id. His real name is Omar Rueda-Denvers. Surprise, surprise! Where is ICE? Why isn't his illegal status an issue? The answer isn't being discussed by the mayor or the police or the local media: Las Vegas is now a defacto "Sanctuary City". This has been hushed by the local media. This was an "act of terrorism" by any definition. 'Nuff said!

May 14, 8:08 PM EDT

Accused Vegas Bomber Guilty in ID Case

By KEN RITTER

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A Panamanian accused of planting a bomb that killed his ex-girfriend's new romantic interest outside a Las Vegas Strip resort pleaded guilty Monday to having false identification.

A justice of the peace sentenced Omar Rueda-Denvers to 10 days in jail on the misdemeanor charge, ensuring that he would remain jailed pending an initial appearance Tuesday on murder and attempted murder charges. He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted...

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For the complete article click here.

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Related:

Debbie Schlussel Comments On Luxor Bombing

Never forget what happened!

Is Vegas on the list of cities that are targeted by terrorists?

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God Forbid Department

Hoping Life Does Not Imitate Art:

"Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas is the fifth title in the Rainbow Six series, and pits players against terrorists who have taken the city of Vegas hostage."

The Realignment of America - Las Vegas Tops Cities Migrated To

From today's Wall Street Journal opinion piece titled "The Realignment of America". An interesting article, well worth reading in its entirety.

The author says that migration of population in the USA follows a fairly predictable pattern, with Las Vegas leading on "inflow" or net migration into the area. I guess I already knew this, it sure takes a lot longer to drive across town and the "rush hour" is starting earlier and earlier!

From the article:

"Domestic inflow has been a whopping 19% in Las Vegas, 15% in the Inland Empire (California's Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, where much of the outflow from Los Angeles has gone), 13% in Orlando and Charlotte, 12% in Phoenix, 10% in Tampa, 9% in Jacksonville. Domestic inflow was over 200,000 in the Inland Empire, Phoenix, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Orlando. These are economic dynamos that are driving much of America's growth. There's much less economic polarization here than in the Coastal Megalopolises, and a higher percentage of traditional families: Natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) in the Interior Boomtowns is 6%, well above the 4% in the Coastal Megalopolises."

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Audi R8 on test in Las Vegas - YouTube Video

My first "sporty" car was an Audi Fox back in the early seventies. I can't compare it to the R8, but I do have a certain affinity to Audi engineering.

The video shows people being distracted from the lights and glitter of the Strip when the R8 drives by and causes a refocus of their attention on the 2-seat, mid-engined super sports coupe. The video also has some good shots of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and has excellant production qualities. Now, where can I find an extra 110 grand to buy this beauty?

From the wikipedia article:

"The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car released by the German automaker Audi in 2006. Audi announced in 2005 that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007, the Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans Quattro concept car, which appeared at the 2003 Geneva Auto Show and 2003 International Motor Show. The R8 was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There is some confusion with the name which the car shares with the Le Mans winning R8 LMP. Originally, many thought the car would be called the R9 (as there is a gap in numbering left when Audi announced the R8's successor, the diesel-powered R10)."

Las Vegan Salad?

Ingredients:

• Plenty of lettuce a la Wynn
  (* Gambler's Prayer: "Let Us All Win" )


• (S)lots of "Wild Cherry" Tomatoes (or can substitute Slot Token Tomatoes) and "Yellow Bell" Peppers


• Super Progressive Jackpot Sprouts


• Felt Green Peppers


• Binyon's Bahama (or Bermuda) Onions


• (Optional) Croupier Croutons


• Top with House Edge Dressing (to taste)

Feel free to add your own favorite Vegas vegetables to make this salad complete! Enjoy!

Las Vegas Keeps Its Frontier Town Charm?

"A quick note from Las Vegas to let you all know what a warm, comforting and quiet town it has remained. Truly, this is a place that time has forgot. They have retained the charm of the frontier town just as it was founded in 1805. It is a marvelous, transcendental town full of generous people and possessing the Judeo-Christian values we all seek to improve in our lives. There has been a small amount of construction, but it is always done in the frontier style and is very much in keeping with the “old general store” look of this valley town. It is an inviting place, where people from all walks of life are made to feel right at home by the gentle touch of the natives in their colorful garb. Truly, Las Vegas is a trip back in time and a slice of genuine Americana."

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I love sarcasm! Thanks for the great blog entry and video, Steve at Worst Attitude Ever
I kind of miss the "Old Vegas" and am not always excited about the direction Vegas is growing going.

Even Las Vegas Celibrates Earth Day!

Some may argue that this is off topic for this blog. I respectfully disagree! Is not Vegas part of the Earth? Perhaps not - everybody comes here to escape from the world. Vegas is out of this world, some say. Nothing like arguing both sides of the case.

Well, I'll leave it up to you to decide. Wherever you come from, be kind to the Earth, it's the only planet we have.

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From "Coyote Angry" Blog: ----->

"The 25 million Americans who rely on the Colorado River for water should expect continued — and even worsening — drought spells and water shortages as rising temperatures and growing populations create a double whammy, experts warned in a new report.

Water conservation measures have helped somewhat, but consumption has boomed in certain areas. For example, Nevada's Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, saw water use double from 1985 to 2000.

'The combination of limited water supplies, rapidly increasing populations, warmer regional temperatures, and the specter of recurrent drought point to a future in which the potential for conflict among existing and prospective new water users will prove endemic,' the research council said in a statement that accompanied the report."

Video: Earth From Pole To Pole

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How The First Earth Day Came About.

Las Vegas Recreated At Legoland

Las Vegas is one of seven geographical locations in Legoland California recreated entirely of LEGO bricks. More than 24-million LEGO bricks create this attraction considered the heart of the Park. Miniland Las Vegas features the world-famous Strip including ten different hotel properties chosen for their unique architectural style. The hotels featured are the Luxor Las Vegas, New York, New York Hotel and Casino, Excalibur, Mirage, Treasure Island, Tropicana, MGM Grand, Venetian, Stratosphere tower and two iconic structures of Paris Las Vegas, the balloon sign and Eiffel Tower. “The Strip” at LEGOLAND also features a miniature wedding chapel, monorails and real life sounds recorded in Las Vegas.

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Source: Legoland.com

Click here to see the full size pics!