Las Vegas, NV

I sometimes forget (read: block from my mind) that Vegas has some peculiar sights. The monorail by the strip is one of those.

Now, I remember when I first heard about it I was thinking, “Awesome! A light rail system that runs to and fro throughout the city making transit efficient, cheap and easy.” And then I found out it runs like three blocks around the strip. Hurray.

So yeah, apparently I’m not the only one who thinks it sucks.

Oh and O.J. got arrested. I’m sure the gloves won’t fit.

I often wonder if the people that make up the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority must have some sort of contest where they attempt to come up with more revolting and eye rolling slogan for the city.

The new slogan “your Vegas is showing” is meant to show potential tourists the products Las Vegas has to offer them.

Your Vegas is Showing? Unbelievable. I mean, whoever threw that one out ought to be given a diamond ring and allowed to retire.

Next up, “Vegas is the full frontal nudity of America.”

This story is so good I almost don’t believe it.

Normally, in Vegas, you get a story like this:

Las Vegas is going to get the world’s smallest Battlestar Galactic reenactment bridge. Only one person will be allowed in at one time and the tickets are going to be $85.00.

But the idea that we will be getting two full sized sports arenas? That’s just amazing. Maybe Oscar Goodman did something right for once!

The much advertised - often confusingly so - Springs Preserve has finally opened in Vegas. A cornucopia of kids naturey hands on kind of stuff.

The only reason they open stuff like this is that one of the biggest complaints from locals in Vegas is a lack of kid related activities. The city, overall, isn’t terribly kid friendly. It’s not meant to be, in fact.

“Ideally, this represents to Las Vegas what Central Park represents to New York City,” preserve spokesman Jesse Davis said, expressing a theme as carefully crafted as the faux rock canyons and the centerpiece five-building Desert Living Center.

And of course, the city will make some money on it too. I’m not sure the Central Park theme is spot on. I imagine Central Park might be uncomfortable in the summer but the Springs Preserve will make you feel like your skin is on fire here. Which is why it will be swamped with elementary school kids next month and the months following. I am going to wait to take my kids next spring. That will be the best possible time to do it.

A visit to architect Paul Steelman’s website leads us to this image:

which seems to be a rendering of an all-new Flamingo. Looks spiffy.

I, for one, hope it materializes. The new Go Rooms are fantastic and I have always loved the pool there. The Strip needs to maintain some nostalgia and this is a good sign that Harrah’s isn’t gonna blow up the pink beast anytime soon.

This man:

Yolando Ferguson, was a basketball coach at the Doolittle Community Center and is accused of using his position to lure the kids to his house to create child pornography. Please help catch this sick bastard and let him rot in jail (or hell).

Any info please call 385-5555.

Full story at Las Vegas Now.

Credit for pic: Roy Vegas

I’m gonna miss those frozen margaritas!

THE STRIP

Best Overall Hotel Casino
1. Caesars Palace
2. Bellagio
3. Wynn Las Vegas

Best Hotel Rooms
1. Wynn Las Vegas
2. Bellagio
3. Caesars Palace

Best Comps
1. Harrah’s Las Vegas
2. MGM Grand
3. Rio
(more…)

This week’s LVRJ contests include:

- Enter to win tickets to see Ratatouille

- Win tickets to see Evan Almighty

- Win a four-pack of tickets to Holly Hobbie and Friends, showing every Saturday and Sunday throughout June

- Enter for a chance to win a $10,000 buy-in World Series of Poker Main Event Championship

Mayor Oscar Goodman will be at the Starbucks on 10260 W. Charleston Blvd this Friday from 7:30am to 9:00am for a “casual conversation” with other Vegas citizens to voice concerns or to just meet and say hello.

The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada presents The 4th Annual Art Show and Silent Auction. The event takes place this Saturday May 5 from 6pm to 9pm at The Center, located at 953 E. Sahara Avenue, Suite B31. Call 733-9800 for more info.

The theme this year is “Celebrate Diversity.” My best friend will have a few photography pieces in the show and I got to help her out (my first and last modeling gig!). So if you’re going to be in town this weekend try and swing by - I may be just a little biased but she truly does excellent work, and of course everything else there will be worth checking out too!