Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

It’s a boy!

Posted on February 3, 2010 by David McKee

Folks here at LVA HQ must be feeling a little punchy, as they’ve come up with this bit of Humpday drollery, which I pass along for your diversion. Recipe: Take one Steve Wynn … Add a splash of Marty Allen … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Steve Wynn, Wayne F. Newton | 7 Comments

Big love

Posted on February 3, 2010 by David McKee

This latest tempest in a teaspoon has inspired a yawningly predictable reaction amongst Nevada politicians. The lone witty note was struck by Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority President Rossi Ralenkotter, who deployed irony in lieu of indignation: “While we … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Detroit, Economy, Harry Reid, LVCVA, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Oscar Goodman, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 2, 2010 by David McKee

“When times are tough, you tighten your belts. You don’t go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don’t blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you’re trying to save for college.” — President Barack … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics | 5 Comments

… except for Jackie Gaughan’…

Posted on February 1, 2010 by David McKee

… except for Jackie Gaughan‘s old casinos (Vegas Club, Plaza), where Tamares turned money into crud. Kind of a reverse-Midas touch skill.

Posted in Current, Downtown, Tamares Group | 1 Comment

Jace Radke sez Tamares sold to…

Posted on February 1, 2010 by David McKee

Jace Radke sez Tamares sold to Forest City Dev., not LV, which gets Oscar off the hook. Ya gotta credit Tamares w. turning crud into money.

Posted in Current, Downtown, Oscar Goodman, Tamares Group | Comments Off on Jace Radke sez Tamares sold to…

Queen of Hearts motel demolish…

Posted on February 1, 2010 by David McKee

Queen of Hearts motel demolished for new City Hall. Wonder how much $$ Tamares Group bilked LV for that pile of rubbish. Tamares, 1; LV, 0.

Posted in Current, Downtown, International, Tamares Group | 2 Comments

Carrot Top announces nat’l pro…

Posted on February 1, 2010 by David McKee

Carrot Top announces nat’l prop contest. 1st prize: a comped stay @ Luxor. If that’s the grand prize I’d hate to see what also-rans get.

Posted in Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Lunch with Fasolt

Posted on February 1, 2010 by David McKee

He’s chowing down lustily on some Friskies “Sea Captain’s Choice” at this very moment. Having worked all weekend, I’m taking a slight “staycation” from S&G. That translates as “I’m doing long-deferred housework.” I have no idea what’s happening in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Pets | Comments Off on Lunch with Fasolt

Dog shoots man

Posted on February 1, 2010 by David McKee

No, really. Now that’s putting the “sport” into hunting. Meanwhile, out in the Aloha State … A McDonald’s employee in Hawaii, commenting on the customer who got impatient at the drive-through and ran over a fellow customer — twice, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Harrah's | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 1, 2010 by David McKee

“What we’re seeing emerge here in Nevada is an economy that will not repeat the boom-like conditions that we saw just a few short years ago. I doubt very much in my lifetime we’re ever going to see consistent job … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Labor, The Strip | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 29, 2010 by David McKee

“Bidder for Fontainebleau says Las Vegas probably a bit overbuilt” — caption for Las Vegas Review-Journal story about Carl Icahn‘s F-bleau acquistion. “Probably a bit overbuilt” … now there’s a masterful understatement.

Posted in Carl Icahn, Economy, Fontainebleau, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Thinking small

Posted on January 29, 2010 by David McKee

A new analysis of the White House‘s latest set of proposed economic stimuli tells us not to expect much … and why. Since the main target for pump-priming is small business, we’ll not expect much of any direct benefit to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, The Strip | 4 Comments

If LV simply *must* have a pos…

Posted on January 29, 2010 by David McKee

If LV simply *must* have a poster boy, better Goss than Gosselin.

Posted in Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on If LV simply *must* have a pos…

All aboard for Victorville

Posted on January 29, 2010 by David McKee

San Francisco will have the federal funds to build high-speed rail to Anaheim. (Doubtless the Bible Belters are already shrieking about hordes of “sodomites” descending upon Disneyland and corrupting its spiritual purity.) Las Vegans and Southern Californians, meanwhile, will have … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harry Reid, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, Tourism, Transportation | 2 Comments

Palms: “Matt Who?”

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

“Freddy Mercury meets Andrea Bocelli.” That’s one description applied to androgynous vocalist Jimmy Hopper, whom The Palms has signed for a once-a-week concert series. This is a sweet deal for customers: It’s a three-hour show and it’s free. The seating … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, George Maloof, Riviera, The Strip | 1 Comment

Spendthrifty ways of Herbst Ga…

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

Spendthrifty ways of Herbst Gaming playing hob w. bankruptcy plan. Foolish casino buys termed “fraudulent,” too. http://tinyurl.com/y9gb9ul

Posted in Herbst Gaming | Comments Off on Spendthrifty ways of Herbst Ga…

LV Hilton pinches Andrew Dice …

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

LV Hilton pinches Andrew Dice Clay from the Riv. An LVH dagger thrust to the Riv, as bottom-feeders grapple unto death. Clay’s not worth it.

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Entertainment, Riviera, The Strip | 3 Comments

Calling all S&G readers

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

We’ve got a problem and could use your help. Mandarin Oriental gave me eight-plus minutes of great B-roll footage. Trouble is, it’s silent and I lack the Mac wizardry to lay some appropriately trippy (think Tangerine Dream) music behind it, … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Technology, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Calling all S&G readers

Food for thought

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

“[Matt] Goss also would bring back some of Sinatra’s bygone sensibilities, chief among them being loyalty to friends.” That’s an interesting remark, considering that the singer began talks with Caesars Palace President Gary Selesner a month after Palms owner George … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Marketing, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Food for thought

Garth: That’s the way it is

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

Amid all the ink that’s been spilled about the phenomenon that is Garth Brooks at Wynncore, we have a winner. No review is more eloquent, detailed or well-observed than the one newly penned by my estimable CityLife colleague Mike Prevatt. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Economy, Election, Encore, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Oscar Goodman, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wayne F. Newton | 1 Comment