Living in Las Vegas

The Eastside Cannery officially opened its doors for business on Thursday.  The place was packed, you couldn’t even get a parking spot.  There were lines outside of all the restaurants and a waiting list to get on a slot machine.  Although there were some concerns about opening a new casino during these hard times, apparently things are looking up for the Eastside Cannery.

The Eastside Cannery is located at the site of the old Nevada Palace on Boulder Highway and Harmon. The hotel is 16 stories tall with 307 rooms, including 5 executive suites.  The casino has 2,100 slot machines, 26 table games, a 450-seat bingo hall, a keno lounge, poker room and race and sports book. 

Of course, being in Las Vegas, there is no shortage of dining and entertainment.  The Eastside Cannery features three restaurants, along with a deli and 24-hour cafe.  Sweet Lucy’s tableside buffet is different than your average buffet because instead of getting your own food, they serve your meal family style, all for one price.  Pin-Up’s bar sounds fun and Marylin’s lounge can seat up to 300 people for a concert. They even have a 2,000 seat boxing arena.

I am definitely looking forward to checking out the Eastside Cannery!!

Well, yesterday was the first day of the 2008 - 2009 school year for the 300,000 kids attending Clark County schools in Las Vegas.  The Clark County School District is the 5th largest in the nation, right behind New York, LA, Chicago and Miami. What’s interesting is that New York, LA and Chicago are also the three largest cities in the US, but Vegas ranks 28. 

The overcrowded schools in Clark County are an ongoing debate and problem.  There are always too many students and not enough qualified teachers or space.  I recently discovered the Nevada Virtual Academy. It is a state approved public charter school that students attend online. The entire curriculum, a loaner computer and printer, and high-speed Internet access are free for students.

Personally, I feel that it is the parents that make the difference in a child’s education. No matter where your kids goes to school, if you are positive role model and involved in their life on a daily basis I believe that will give them the best chance to succeed.

Once again, Las Vegas welcomes a new club to the scene.  This coming Labor Day weekend ROK Vegas at New York New York Hotel and Casino on the strip is opening.  Pop-rock star Katy Perry is performing on Saturday, August 30. ROK is a rock-in-roll inspired club with all the usual club amenities and some that are not so usual.

ROK will be the first Las Vegas club to have a 360 degree video screen. It looks like the screen wraps around the top of the club.  They are also introducing half-bottle service.  I am guessing it is for all us that can’t afford the $500 or so for full-bottle service, so they are going to offer half a bottle for half the price.  Very inventive, but I will be curious to see if it catches on or not.

ROK will also feature an outdoor VIP lounge, live club footage and laser animations, including 3D images of famous rock stars projected around the club.  I have no set plans for my Labor Day weekend yet, so who knows, maybe I will be rockin’ out at ROK!

One of my favorite performers, Sheryl Crow, is going to be at Planet Hollywood tonight.  I have loved Sheryl since her self-titled CD in 1996, but my all time favorite would have to be “Tuesday Night Music Club”.  According to Sheryl, her newest CD, “Detours”, was inspired by “how I feel things are going in the world and what’s happened to me the last couple of years.”

Sheryl’s songs are always meaningful and poignant. She has used her music to express her feelings about everything from the adoption of her son and battle with breast cancer, to the war in Iraq and Hurricane Katrina.

Sheryl Crow is one celebrity that I have truly respected throughout her 15 year career.  She has won 9 Grammy Awards and 2 American Music Awards.  And, to top it off, Sheryl looks absolutely more beautiful every year!!

Two cool things about Vegas were in the Review Journal today.

Gaming Commission lifts ban on cell phones in sports books

The long standing law banning the use of cell phones in Nevada sports books has been temporarily lifted.  For the next year, you will be able use your cell phone, but usage will be monitored closely for illegal betting.

I have not spent a lot of time inside sports books except to maybe watch a game while waiting around, but I can imagine how annoying it would be to not be able to use your phone.  Usually what happens to me is that I need to call someone who is in the sports book. So I would say this is good news all around for me.

$1 million cash display returns to Las Vegas

To be honest, I didn’t even know it was gone from Binion’s Hotel and Gambling Hall.  But seeing this headline reminds me of pictures of family members in front of the stack of cash.  I think this display has been around for a little over 50 years.  So even though I didn’t know it had left, I am glad its back.  And thinking of those old family photos definitely makes me want to take my husband downtown for our own photo!

Camping at Sequoia was a blast and it brings back memories of the time we camped at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area a few years back.  Now forgive me, but honestly, I don’t remember exactly where we camped, but the bathrooms were clean and we had an awesome time!!

Lake Mead is the largest man made lake and was created by the Hoover Dam. Like the rest of Las Vegas, it is open 24/7, except for some beach areas that are only open from dawn to dusk.  The visitor center is open from 8 - 4:30 daily.  The price is $5 per car for 1 - 5 days or $20 for an annual pass.   The America the Beatiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass will set you back $80, but that pass covers it all, including Sequoia National Park. 

Lake Mead has over 700 miles of shoreline and offers a countless number of activities in and around the lake.  Along with the usual fishing, boating, and water skiing a visit to Lake Mead could include a hike in the backcountry or a scenic drive down Northshore Road.  For a true vacation, I would definitely check into camping or renting a house boat.  To get all the latest information, Lake Mead has its own newspaper, the Desert Lake View, available  for free to help you start planning your own awesome vacation!!

That’s right, we’re headed out to the big trees and fresh air at Sequoia National Park!! Be back in a week

It’s not too late to get a last minute flight out to Vegas and go for it!! :)  The Clark County Marriage Bureau is better prepared this year to avoid the 4 to 5 hour wait some couples experienced last year on 7/7/07.  Many hotels and wedding chapels are staying open 24 hours and running specials.

The Little White Wedding Chapel on the Las Vegas Strip, home to the infamous Tunnel of Love Drive-Through Wedding Chapel, has two featured packages for tomorrow, one for $88.88 and one for $888.88. 

The Stratosphere Hotel is marrying 88 people at 8:08 p.m. on level 108 for $8.88 per couple.  The J W Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa is offering a free spa deal for bridal parties.

I had no idea 8/8/08 was such a lucky number.  To the Chinese it means prosperity, and they specifically chose August 8th at 8:08 p.m. to open the 2008 Summer Olympicsthis year.  Also, the number 8 turned sideways is the symbol for infinity.  Congratulations to all you lucky couples!!

With today being the official opening day of the 2008 NFL Preseason, I thought I would check out which football contests were voted Best Of Las Vegas 2008 by the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Reader Pick:  Station Casinos

Now, being a local, I naturally love the Station Casinos.  I would have to say, along with PT’s Pub, the Station Casinos are pretty much a Las Vegas staple for residents. For the last 21 years the Station Casinos have featured the $1 Million Great Giveaway Football Contest.  Last year the buy in was $25.  They also host Football Frenzy, The Challenge and Last Man Standing.

Staff Pick:  Cannery Casino Resorts

This is the second year for the Cannery Resorts Fantasy Football Contest.  It is also a $25 buy in.  This contest is not just the regular pick your teams contest, but more like fantasy football.

I have never actually entered a football contest, but I am a big football fan.  So I’m thinking maybe this year I will enter one and let you know how it goes.

P.S. I am a huge Brett Favre/Packers fan, any thoughts?

PT’s Pub is like the default bar for
Las Vegas.  When you want to go out, but not feeling the club scene, PT’s is the place most locals end up at.  There is a PT’s pretty much on every corner, so everyone knows where to find one. 

They have awesome drink specials and different promotions.  For the month of August, they are running a Win Your Mortgate for Free for One Year Promotion. Ladies, if you time it right, you will never have to pay full price for a drink. The food is great, I highly recommend the quesadillas.  They even have a PT’s Food-To-Go menu.

PT’s is definitely up to par with their amenities.  You can join their Golden Rewards Club if you like to play the machines.   And of course, they have the regulation big screen TV’s, pool tables and super hot bartenders.

I have had many fun nights at PT’s, sometimes maybe a little too much fun.  Overall, I would say if you are looking for a great Las Vegas bar scene, PT’s is the place.