Living in Las Vegas

As my final post on the Superbowl, I thought I would post a quick list of the casinos I could find that are doing something for the Big Game.  If you are staying home, but still want to bet on the game, check out LasVegasSportsBetting.com .

The sports books that are doing something a little extra are:

Wynn Las Vegas  - This is the Wynn’s  first Superbowl party so it should be nice,
Ballys - Has a nice sized sports book and easy access from the parking lot right out back.
Las Vegas Hilton - Has tons of big screen TV’s and there are lots of slot machines inside the book.
Caesars Palace - The sports book is huge.
MGM Grand  -  Also has a huge sports book
Imperial Palace - Their sports books may not be as fancy as some, but they will treat you right.

The places to party at are:

Luxor - you can win jerseys, footballs and other memorabilia in their Gridiron Giveaway.
Wynn Las Vegas - Blush is having a big game party
New York New York - ESPN Zone is having a party
Imperial Palace - Rockhouse’s all you can eat/drink from kickoff till midnight.
Monte Carlo - invitation only Superbowl party, contact casino marketing for info.
Treasure Island - Super Sunday party at Kahunaville
Las Vegas Hilton - Sunday Football Central party - FREE
South Point - free big game party, domestic beer & Jager shots $3
Hard Rock - Big game day giveaways
The Orleans - Tailgate Party
Jerry’s Nugget - Make any Super Sunday $20 bet and receive special access to the Super Sunday Big Game Party
Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas  party in the ‘Beer Garden’
Palace Station  - win  free food, win party gifts, and all the Bud/ Bud Lights Drafts you can drink”
Santa Fe Station  - Tailgate Party

Not all of the parties are free, so make sure to check ahead.

And just for fun, since there has been all the controversy about the banned PETA Superbowl commercial, I thought I would post it here.

‘Veggie Love’: PETA’s Banned Super Bowl Ad
Happy Superbowl!!

If hosting a Superbowl party at your house on Sunday isn’t your idea of a party, there are lots of places in Vegas you can go to have a great time.   The Las Vegas Sun has a great list of Superbowl parties in Las Vegas , including pre-game and post-game Superbowl parties.

Personally, as you know, I am a fan of PT’s Pub , and it looks like they are throwing a great party. No cover charge, $10 buffet and lots of beer.  What else do you need?

Now, if you are looking for something geared specifically towards your team, there are going to be more places for Steelers fans to choose from, but it looks like Cardinal’s fans are hanging out at Timbers Bar & Grill on Maryland and Wigwam. Timbers is a PT’s style place and lots of fun.  According to the sports books, it looks like so many people are betting on Arizona, that the odds might change!  Same thing happened last year with the Giants, and it was only 2nd time in 18 years that the casinos actually lost money on the Superbowl.

Most of the hotels and casinos will be showing the Big Game in their sports books, and that’s always free to just stop by.  I know there are some rules now related to the NFL and Superbowl parties, so I don’t know if the casinos are toning it down or not.  And it’s usually one of the biggest days of the year for strip clubs, so if that’s your thing, you can probably get some good deals. The bottom line is pretty much where ever you end up on Sunday, the game will be on and people will be having a good time.

My favorite part about Superbowl is the prop bets.  They are so much more fun then just regular bets.

To start with, Arizona is getting 7 points. That seems like a lot to me for a Superbowl, but I’m no bookie, so maybe that’s normal.  Anyway, some of the fun stuff you can bet on this year is:

Will the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Arizona cardinals be the team to kickoff first?
Will the team that scores first, win?
Will the first score of the game be a touchdown, field goal or safety?
Will Arizona ever have the lead?
Will the largest lead by either team be over 14 ½ points or under?
Will the longest touchdown scored by either team be over 45 yards or under?
Will the shortest touchdown scored by either team be over 1 yard under?
Will either team attempt a 2-point conversion?
Will the total number of first downs (both teams combined) be over 35 or under?
Will the longest field goal will be over 43 yards or under?
Will the total punts (both teams combined) be over 9 or under?
Will there be at least one defensive or special teams TD?
Will the total sacks (both teams combined) be over 4 or under?
Which player will score the first TD?
Which player will score the last TD?
Will the jersey number of the first player to score the first touchdown be odd or even? Will the number of completions by Ben Roethlisberger be over 17 or under?
Will the number of gross passing yards by Ben Roethlisberger be over 218 or under?
Will the total number of TD passes thrown by Ben Roethlisberger be over 1 or under?
Will the number of completions by Kurt Warner be over 23 or under?
Will the number of gross passing yards by Kurt Warner be over 268 or under?
Will the total number of touchdown passes thrown by Kurt Warner be over 1 or under?
Will Superbowl XLIII go into overtime?

Even if you aren’t in Las Vegas, making a few fun bets at your own Superbowl party always adds to the entertainment!

I know it’s kind of an oxymoron, “save money in Las Vegas”, but came across a couple of good websites to maximize your dollar this month.  I know it’s tough out there, so I am hoping these might help locals and people coming into town.

Free shows, buffets and vacations for 90 minutes
Call Mike at 702-415-4114 to see if you qualify. We are paying married couples, age 25-72 and making a combined household income of $70,000, to tour our fabulously located resort at 3700 Las Vegas Blvd. If you qualify and are willing to take our 90 minute preview I will give you free shows, Buffets and 3 day 2 night mini vacation for your time. Please call anytime Mike at 702-415-4114.

So what Las Vegas local has not been to at least one of these?  I know I have, and the dinner and show we went to was worth it. Although back then we had no kids and time to kill . . .   Anywho, if you have the time I think it’s worth it.

I found a blog that has some really great resources, Frugally Vegas. It’s geared more toward visitors, but check out this great post on Las Vegas Coupon Sources , which lists all the great Las Vegas magazines that have buffet coupons, show coupons, Lake Mead cruises, and stuff like that. I know they used to always put What’s On in all the hotel rooms.

My best find is Sudden Values.  This website has great deals for restaurants, gyms, salons, pizza, landscaping, computer training, insurance, daycare, you name it, they’ve got it.  And the websites are geared toward local areas, so they have Southwest Las Vegas Sudden Values , North Las Vegas Sudden Values and Henderson Sudden Values .  I can’t wait to start printing and using my coupons!

I just want to start out by saying I love Craigslist .  You can pretty much find anything you want there and there are no annoying ads or anything, it’s right to the point.  So I’m always browsing over there, checking out houses, jobs, stuff for sale and if I’m really in the mood for a good laugh, I check out the free stuff.  Now don’t get me wrong, I know during these hard times someone else’s trash might be your treasure, but sometimes people take it to the extreme! For example:

misc plates, bowls, and glasses (central)
some with small chips

small hotel samples (charleston and Valley View)
shampoos hand soaps, razors, toothpaste, conditioners,lotions, etc.

Seriously!?

TV At Rainbow and Russell
Please email me with directions to your house.

Ummm, sure, ok . . . . WTF?!

Free Empty Formula Cans (Henderson)
You could use them for a lot of things, organizations might use them to decorate for a donation can. 25 oz.cans with lids. you might have to dust them out there’s about 30 of them. email back if interested….Thanks

Ok, this is just straight trash. Throw it out!!

Free Aged Horse Manure (Las Vegas S.W.)
Get ready to plant your garden and feed your trees…It will be spring soon.
Free aged horse manure…… call

I understand the importance of feeding your garden and all, but  . . . how aged is this?

And the grand prize goes to:

old used peanut oil, great for biodiesel - must pick up (summerlin)

3 or so gallons of peanut oil used to fry a turkey two thanksgivings ago (2006 i think). yeah it’s old, but my guess is that it will still work for biodiesel purposes. my second guess is that if you are the biodiesel type then you will know if this will work or not.

I have no comments, I think that one speaks for itself!

First of all, I would like to say “Welcome Back Mercedes!” to Mark and Mercedes on Mix 94.1.  As you may know, they are my favorite morning show out here and Mercedes has returned from maternity leave.  I enjoyed Blair and Drea very much, but it’s nice having Mercedes back.

Our unemployment rate has hit another record high, topping out at 9.1%.  Bill Anderson, an economist with the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation , said some of the biggest contributors to the high unemployment rate the housing market, construction jobs, the leisure industry, and the failure of Mervyns, Linens-N-Things and Circuit City.  So for those of you that are part of the 128,000 Nevadans looking for a job, the Las Vegas Review Journal and Sun are hosting a job fair at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino tomorrow, January 27, 2009.  It will be opening at noon and runs until 4:00 p.m.  Good luck!

On a happier note, I had a chance to check out the 1-bedroom suite at Palms Place and I was super impressed! The view was amazing and the room is about 1200 sq. feet with a full kitchen, laundry closet and an awesome two-person shower.  The rates are totally reasonable right now with prices as low as $159 a night!

I hate to mention it, but that time of year has arrived again.  I know for some, you look forward to it and plan for it all year long, but for me it’s just a pain in the a**! Yes, it’s tax season. I appreciate the refund, if I get one, but usually I wait til the last second to do my taxes and then end up spending my tax refund on bills and going out and have nothing to show for it.  You would think after 15 years of working, I would be better at this whole tax thing, but not yet.

One problem I don’t have to deal with is figuring out the whole tip thing.  But out here in Vegas that is a big issue, so the IRS is holding two Tip Earner Problem Solving Days workshops.  The first session is on February 3rd and will be at the Culinary Union, local 226 on 1630 South Commerce Street from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The second session is scheduled for February 5th at  Texas Station from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Walk-ins will be assisted but the IRS recommends making an appointment so they research your information and be prepared.  To set an appointment, call (702) 868-5179 and ask for the Taxpayer Advocate’s office .  Be sure to bring all your records and paperwork.

This it the 4th year the Miss America Pageant will be here in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood . I had no idea it has been that many years.  There has been a reality show on TLC called Countdown to the Crown that looked good, but I haven’t been able to catch any episodes.

I have always kind of been on the fence about Miss America.  I like that it is a very good example of women doing good things. I know they do a lot of charity type work.  And also a good example of taking pride in your appearance and yourself, which I think is important. The only thing, of course, is that it’s all based on looks.  It has been proven time and again that, for the most part, people who look better get along easier in life.  So does that make the Miss America Pageant a harsh example of reality or is it just another way women are judged on their looks?

Remember The Swan tv show? I was on the fence about that one also. Did it help those women or hurt them?  Would the women have achieved similar results with a less dramatic makeover and teaching them how to accept themselves? I know I feel like a million bucks after a day at the spa!

Good luck Miss Nevada!!

Good news, it looks like the Yucca Mountain Project is going to be off the table pretty soon.  President Obama does not think it is safe to bury nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is going to zero out the budget and the state currently has more than 200 legal objections on file to the application to license the repository.  Thank you! The thought of nuclear waste trucking through town or leaking into the water made me vow I would pack and leave if Yucca Mountain ever happened.  I don’t care how safe people say it is, we really don’t know. The final decision that needs to take place is for Congress to repeal the Nuclear Waste Policy Act .

Another good thing happening here in Vegas is the protesting against all the education budget cuts.  Yesterday about 2000 people gathered to rally at UNLV.  The Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Jim Rogers urged students to ignore the governor and instead focus on contacting and writing to the Nevada State Legislature.  Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen is predicting the upcoming legislative session is going to be one of the most controversial in state history!  I am so glad we are not taking this laying down, our education systems cannot afford to lose even one penny!

On a lighter note, if you love the Cupcakery, then today is your lucky day.  To celebrate their anniversary the Cupcakery is giving everyone who stops by a free Southern Belle or Tickle Me Pink cupcake. Yum!

It’s the 28th annual Best of Las Vegas poll! I apologize for running a little late on this one, I didn’t know they were going to be closing categories by a certain date.  So if you haven’t voted yet, we missed the Eat & Drink and Locations categories.

For the rest of the poll, the Hotels and Entertainment ballot will appear January 18, 19 and 21 (deadline is 5 p.m. January 26) and the Shopping, Sports, People and Best of the Worst ballot will be open on January 25, 26 and 28 (deadline is 5 p.m. February 2). You can vote online or in the paper.

The RJ is awarding prizes to all participants, and you can have up to 3 entries.  Prizes include two tickets to Best All-Around Performer, two tickets to see the Best Show, dinner for two at the Best Gourmet Restaurant in a hotel, dinner for two in the Best Gourmet Restaurant not in a hotel, lunch for two at the Best Place for a Power Lunch, a gift certificate to the Best Mall, and the grand prize of a night on the town featuring a dinner, show and overnight stay at a local hotel.

Results will be printed in the newspaper and posted online on March 29. Good luck to all!