Living in Las Vegas

The results are in! Here’s a quick run down of the staff and reader picks for Best of Las Vegas 2009.  To get the complete list, head on over to the Las Vegas Review Journal and click on the Best of Las Vegas.

Best Nightclubs: Pure and Prive

Best Family Attractions: Adventuredome and Bonnie Springs Old Nevada

Best Local Rock Bands:  The Killers and The Black Jets

Best Steakhouses: Outback and Capital Grille

Best Performers: Danny Gans and Bette Midler

Best Comedians: Rita Rudner and Craig Ferguson

Best Magicians:  Lance Burton and Keith Barry

Best Singers: Bette Midler and Rick Faugno

Best Strip Hotels: Bellagio and Paris

Best Downtown Hotels: Golden Nugget and El Cortez

Best Locals Hotels: Red Rock Resort and Eastside Cannery

Best Buffets: Bellagio and Wynn

Best Malls: Fashion Show and Town Square

Best Places to take out-of-town guests: Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston

Best Celebrity Residents: Andre Agassi and Vince Neil

Best Local TV Anchors: Paula Francis (KLAS-8) and Jim Snyder (KVBC-3)

Best Local Radio Personalities: Mark & Mercedes (KMXB-94.1) and Dave Berns (KNPR-88.9)

Best Local Politicians: Mayor Oscar Goodman and Senator Steven Horsford

Attorney Glen Lerner won the most annoying local TV commercial, beating out John Barr from last year. I have to disagree with this because John Barr’s commercials are beyond annoying, but at least Glen Lerner’s are somewhat catchy, and effective. 

And a special congrats to Paris Hilton who uniquely managed to win top pick as both best and worst celebrity tourist!

Some people take vacation time from work to actually go on vacation.  A 3-day weekend, a trip to see family or friends or just a much needed day off.  I take vacation time to chaperone my daughter’s field trips . . .  and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  There will always be time to take a vacation, but time is running short for my daughter to be excited that I am coming with her on her field trips.  So this year I have made it a point to try and attend more with her.

Next week we are headed to the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum.  I am curious to see the museum as I have heard mixed reviews.  But all that really matters is that the kids have fun, and from I can recall about children’s museums, kids can’t help but have a good time. 

The new Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit looks good.  Then at the end of the month, the “It’s Your Choice” exhibit is going to open, featuring an “interactive exhibition designed to highlight the importance of developing healthy eating habits for a healthy life.”

The museum’s hours are:

REGULAR MUSEUM HOURS
Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday Noon - 5 p.m.

Closed Mondays except most school holidays

SUMMER HOURS BEGIN
JUNE 1st through Labor Day
Monday - Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday  Noon – 5 pm

It’s located on Las Vegas Blvd. across from Cashman Field.  Admission at is $8.00 for adults and $7.00 for kids.  I am surprised it’s so cheap, that’s a great price for an entire afternoon of fun. 

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to see a performance by the Las Vegas Chamber Orchestra. It was beautiful in many ways and I started thinking about checking out the Las Vegas Philharmonic at the Performing Arts Center.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic just celebrated its 10th anniversary and has already become a nationally recognized orchestra.  It is the third largest arts organization in the state and a six-time recipient of the Best Performing Arts Group award.   The website describes the different types of concerts they give: “the Classical Series featuring some of the best touring artists in the world; a Connoisseur Series that presents top soloists performing in some of the city’s most luxurious homes; a variety of special events; a new Pops Concert Series for 2008-2009 and of course the ever-popular Fourth of July “Star Spangled Spectacular” concert.”

In addition, they also provide two very important music education programs: “Music In the Schools, which places LV Philharmonic musicians in schools for after-school programs; and the Sprint Youth Concert Series, which brings young people to the concert hall.”

The Las Vegas Philharmonic  and Nevada Ballet Theatre will have a new homes in 2011.  The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is currently under construction in downtown Las Vegas’ 61-acre Union Park across from the Clark County Government Center.   It will have a 2000 seat hall and will be able to accommodate first run Broadway shows as well as orchestra, opera and dance performances.  The center looks absolutely beautiful and will definitely enhance the quality for life for Las Vegas residents in many ways.

This is the year for a quickie Las Vegas Valentines Day wedding.  This weekend some Las Vegas wedding chapels are hosting up to three times as many ceremonies as they did last year.  Couples had to wait in line at the District Court Regional Justice Center to get a marriage license for this weekend.  For those who are really serious about a quickie wedding, I checked out the Tunnel of Love over at the Little White Wedding Chapel and their drive-thru wedding is $40. Can’t beat that deal if you’re on a tight budget!

For all of us married couples, Vegas is chaos on Valentines Day.  For the most part you’re talking long waits and crowds of people at all the restaurants. But if you’re trying to get a hotel room there are some fantastic deals. My husband and I are going to brave the crowd this year, for what I recall will be the first time, and head over to Outback Steakhouse (Reader Pick Best of Las Vegas last year!).  We are going to try and get out a little early to beat the crowd and just enjoy some much needed alone time.

With the economic uncertainty, this past year has been a long year for everyone.  I am thankful that the one thing I don’t have to feel uncertain about is my spouse, thankful to have had 12 years with him, and  I definitely feel lucky to be in love.

Happy Valentines Day!

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!