Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

If I can't get my Kobe Braised Ribs for breakfast anymore at Tableau, I may have to hurt someone!!!

Posted by mike_ch

Oddity: Disney World is pitching Vegas to families.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22806809/#24276581

Get past their automatic commercial at the start and watch shots of kids being held by the hand around Bellagio (CityCenter in the background gives me the impression this was recorded quite a while ago) and other places. The announcer even begins by announcing that LV is a great place for families.

I hate to post this kind of thing here, but I have to say it: 'WHAT.'

Their given activities are all the leftover attractions from Family Vegas: Lance Burton, AdventureDome, the MGM Lion Tank (okay this is pretty neat still but it's small) and so on.

I wouldn't mind the return of the family casino since I am the kind of guy who watches videos of of people trying to hold onto a video camera as they ride a roller coaster, but I guess the people at the Mouse Trap haven't come out here lately.

Someone brought this up to me yesterday and I totally forgot about it. Remember back in the 70's they used to parade models in the coffee shops wearing clothing from the hotel's stores? "hello, I'm wearing (blank) and you can buy it at Marshall Rousso" Ahh the good ol' days of Vegas. Did people really complain about this and thats why it stopped?

Any one know what they are replacing Tangerine with at Treasure Island?

Cheers,

Andrew

Posted by mike_ch

Andy: In my last run into town, they had walled Tangerine but there wasn't any signs or anything saying what was up.

I'm writing a new one now, with my opinions of the BRAND Steakhouse (decor, not food) at Monte Carlo. Egads!

When I stayed at TI earlier this month, I got a few glimpses inside the Tangerine area, the whole area was gutted completely and they had just begun to start rebuilding. The guy working the drink counter right outside of Tangerine near the Pirate ship entrance said that whatever was going in would be open in August.

I bet we'll see something in the next month or so. Announcing: (Insert a trendy one word name here). I'm guessing a name like VIBE, CLUB, AIR, DANCE, TREASURE,... you get the idea.

They could really do something awesome with this area. Keeping my fingers crossed, although I doubt I will stay at TI again especially with Bellagio and Planet Hollywood having decent rates this summer.

Robin Leach has a story on his blog that Cosmopolitan has been sold and will be a W Hotel.

http://blogs.lasvegasmagazine.com/VegasLuxeLife/cosmoploitan-sold/

I think Robin Leach has this right. Liz Benston must think so, too because she alluded to Leach's blog on the LV Sun site. There was a different story in the LV Business Press this week. It had an interesting twist: Cosmo is not a "green" development like CityCenter is, and if MGM acquired it, it might lose the tremendous tax breaks MGM is getting on CityCenter:
"Besides price, the major issue for MGM Mirage is CityCenter, which is being developed with the intention of achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The company would not be able to integrate Cosmopolitan into the massive, multihigh-rise development because the Cosmopolitan wouldn't fit into those particular building codes.
"MGM Mirage is not going to jeopardize their potential $100 million to $200 million in tax breaks," one investment source said.
http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2008/05/28/opinion/columnists/stutz/iq_21672642.txt

Posted by Mark D

After the death of a sixth worker at the CityCenter site, union construction workers are threatening to walk off the job tomorrow at CityCenter if safety isn't improved.
http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=8413870

Steve Ross, the Secretary Treasurer with the Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council, said they are asking for three things.

One is to submit to an immediate work site assessment administered by the Center for Research Training.

Two, institute OSHA training by the Center for Research Training, paid for by the Perrini Construction, or MGM-Mirage.

Third, grant full job site access to union directors and safety directors.

If this does not happen by midnight, Ross said workers might not show up tomorrow, "We are not quite sure what direction we are going, but that is certainly a prospect of all the workers coming off the project until we are satisfied our safety concerns are met."

Posted by Mark D

Union construction workers are threatening to walk off the job tomorrow at CityCenter if safety isn't improved.

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=8413870

Steve Ross, the Secretary Treasurer with the Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council, said they are asking for three things.

One is to submit to an immediate work site assessment administered by the Center for Research Training. Two, institute OSHA training by the Center for Research Training, paid for by the Perrini Construction, or MGM-Mirage. Third, grant full job site access to union directors and safety directors.

If this does not happen by midnight, Ross said workers might not show up tomorrow, "We are not quite sure what direction we are going, but that is certainly a prospect of all the workers coming off the project until we are satisfied our safety concerns are met."

Posted by mike_ch

Looks like it's on, but I don't think it'll last long.

Posted by Mark D

Yep, they're out front with picket signs.
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jun/03/workers-walk-citycenter-site-protest/

My rant for the day:
I've subscribed to the Greenspun Media Group's "Las Vegas Life" for more than five years. Every month it has provided me with interesting information on the city and region. Two months ago, it ceased publication, and Greenspun Media unilaterally switched my subscription to "Vegas Magazine".
It describes itself as "...an ultra-classy, sexy, celebrity and fashion oriented publication that captures the energy, mystique and sensuality that is the new Las Vegas. You won't find hard-hitting journalism..."

No hard-hitting journalism is the understatement of the year. What a waste of trees! I can't say it's unreadable because there's not much to read. I can't find circulation data, but it has to be freely distributed in hotel rooms.
I've asked for the subscription to be cancelled.
http://www.vegasmagazine.com/

Posted by mike_ch

Detroit: The only hotel room I've had with that VEGAS Magazine on the table is THEhotel.

LVL had an outdated business model like most of the Greenspun group, and if switched to a more online-focused medium like the Sun could have been more successful.

At least, I'm guessing it could. It was more of a lifestyle magazine than a newspaper, and I don't think that there's much interest in what goes on beyond the Strip, either outside or inside the city.

Posted by mike_ch

Crown is toast, officially: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7435619.stm

Posted by DavidF

Wynn Vs Palazzo on Iron Chef America...

This weeks episode features Paul Bartolotta against Mario Batali strangely for 2 Italian chefs battling it out, the secret ingredient is Rice....

More info and showtimes at....

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ia/episode/0,1976,FOOD_16696_57147,00.html