Category Archives: Current

Lights, Camera, Mesquite!

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

Call me Captain Video today. After 21, with Kevin Spacey doing his rent-a-Satan act, anyone would be understandably leery of movies about card-counting … especially ones directed by someone named Delaney Dragon. (Would he be any relation to The Eiger … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Current, Downtown, Mesquite, Movies | 1 Comment

Curtis pwns Cavuto

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

Neil Cavuto, a loud, whiny, obnoxious ass-clown and former Enron apologist tries to get our own Anthony Curtis to buy into his setup. Cavuto — as usual — doesn’t know what he’s talking about and Anthony does the impossible … … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Politics, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Words to live by, Mike Ensign, Danny Tarkanian

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

“Don’t have a lifetime of regret from sticking with a career that pays the bills; choose a vocation that fascinates you.” That’s one of several maxims passed down by the mother of Raving Consulting Vice President of Operations Christine Faria. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Harry Reid, MGM Mirage, Politics | 2 Comments

Two minutes at Mandarin Oriental

Posted on January 27, 2010 by David McKee

It can’t be as cool as it looks, right? Trust me … it’s cooler.

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Dining, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

Head over to Twitter …

Posted on January 27, 2010 by David McKee

I’m in the nexus between one big research project and another, scrambling like made to catch up on news in the casinosphere. So the blogorrhea is suffering but the Twitter feed is jumping like a pack of jackrabbits. So check … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Technology | Comments Off on Head over to Twitter …

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 26, 2010 by David McKee

“He’s gone all Criss Angel and it’s not for the better.” — LVA staffer’s comment on the gloomy, vampiric-looking Lance Burton who haunts the newish ads for his Monte Carlo show.

Posted in Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Ghost town

Posted on January 22, 2010 by David McKee

Economic forecasting is a forbiddingly tricky science but you still have to wonder what convinced MGM Mirage that there was either A) an unabated market for ultra-high-end retail in Las Vegas or B) that such demand as already existed could … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, George Maloof, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | 7 Comments

More from the mailbag …

Posted on January 22, 2010 by David McKee

Here’s some inside insight into what was happening during the most recent Consumer Electronics Show, during which Las Vegas Sands tossed some exhibitors from their Venelazzo suites because they were conducting product demos off the show floor. A show attendee … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 22, 2010 by David McKee

“This is of serious concern to me and to the other commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan because, indeed, it conveys a perception that is absolutely contrary to what it is that we have sought to do. It is disturbing to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, International | 3 Comments

Gibbons replaced!

Posted on January 21, 2010 by David McKee

So says the U.S. Postal Service, so it’s gotta be true, right? On my “Change of Address Confirmation,” under “Community Resources,” it lists the chief executive of the Silver State as “Gov. Jon Corzine (D),” followed by a Reno phone … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Tourism, Transportation | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 20, 2010 by David McKee

“[Oakland Raiders Coach Tom] Cable has pointed to the team’s improvement after [JaMarcus] Russell‘s midseason benching as proof that he deserves another year to get the Raiders back to the playoffs.” — No, it just proves that Bruce Gradkowski is … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Sports | 2 Comments

Wynn getting into bargain race

Posted on January 20, 2010 by David McKee

With MGM Mirage aggressively discounting its Strip properties, it was only so long before Wynn Resorts had to enter the chase. It’s taking the form of a 25% “early savings” markdown that you get if you book your room 45 … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Net Bets, Harrah’s money grab & why China matters

Posted on January 20, 2010 by David McKee

Mark Juliano, CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts, has been all over the papers lately. First, he came out in support of a massive taxpayer subsidy (backed by two unions) that would forgive Revel 75% of its room and sales taxes … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 19, 2010 by David McKee

“Keri Hilson carpet shots are attached.” — from a Light Group press release. No comment.

Posted in Current, Entertainment, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

If you’re not in Vegas today …

Posted on January 18, 2010 by David McKee

… you’re not missing anything, I’m afraid. The skies are battleship gray and likely to remain so the rest of the week, dampening attendance at CityCenter‘s pocket park. On the other hand, that’s perfect weather to stay indoors and gamble, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Labor, Pets, The Strip | Comments Off on If you’re not in Vegas today …

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 16, 2010 by David McKee

“The Rio is the most tired and used up looking 20 year old I know, hands down.” — from the Twitter feed of Hunter Hillegas.

Posted in Current, Harrah's | 3 Comments

Bulletin of a death foretold

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

Mr. Bit, manifesting his customary enthusiasm toward displays of affection. Monday, my vet called to say that Mr. Bit‘s biopsy results had returned and I should call her back. It’s one of those moments when your heart sinks through the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Pets | 9 Comments

Gunplay at the Four Queens

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

Neither the Las Vegas Sun nor the Las Vegas Review-Journal can be bothered to report it on their Web sites but there was a shooting in the wee hours of Friday morning at the Four Queens, downtown. After having to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 9 Comments

Planet Ho abdicates to Harrah’s

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

Sheraton Operating Corp. is bugging out of Planet Hollywood Resort — which has already lost some of its top management — and handing the keys to Harrah’s Entertainment. The latter will have something of a challenge filling the nearly 2,500 … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, International, Marketing, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Happy ending for “Aztar”

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

Here’s a feel-good story to help ring out the week. The Indiana Gaming Commission has approved Tropicana Entertainment as a suitable owner-operator for the Casino Aztar riverboat, berthed in Evansville. There are a number of contingencies, primarily the plunking down … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Indiana, Labor, Louisiana, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment