E-324: Peaches for You

Random Vegas

The story is legendary.  An FBI plane surveilling Tony Spilatro and friends circled so long that the plane ran out of gas and they had to make an emergency landing on the golf course, crashing into the water hazard.  This week, new owners, looking to better celebrate the history of the course, purchased that plane and reinstalled it into the water hazard permanently (8newsnow.com w/ an assist by Ted Newkirk of Access Vegas)

Twitpic of the week

Favorite part about this picture is the Stardust Easter egg, in my favorite portion of the sign’s animation, the neon outline surrounding each letter, with a black background, clearly distinguishable.  I love LED but nothing is more mesmerizing to watch than animated neon and flashing light bulbs.  That said, I hope some editing was done to this picture to highlight the neon because the pedestrians are really dark at the bottom of the photo.  While I’m not afraid of the dark, I do have to say, in this picture, Westward Ho looks like one of the #1 location to get yourself mugged on the strip; thanks for the heads up @_GrandPaD Between that and bad table beats, no wonder Vegas adopted the free attraction concept.

News

360 VVX Tickets

Evolution of Vegas Video Series

2020 NFL Draft

Circa Restaurant Lineup

Virgin Preview

Atari Hotel

SLSahara

Cashless Gaming Expands

New Vegas Slogan

E-314: Party Bits

Random Vegas 

In 2004, a man sold all his possessions and put his entire net worth of $135,300 on red at the Plaza. The ball landed on red 7 and he walked out with $270,600 (@factsweird cc: VitalVegas) 

Twitpic of the week 

The question, “What does it look like when a Vegas lover cums” has been long speculated about and difficult to articulate.  As only @summacorp can do, a visual representation now exists.  Not coincidental in the slightest, this is also what Vegas lovers see as they shift loose the mortal coil.  It’s also what we think about when daydreaming, eating lunch, let’s just create a bucket called ‘always’ and drop this image in it.  Interestingly enough, only 2 of the signs showcased here are still in operation, and only 1 of them is a casino.  While the casino closed in 1995, the Pioneer Club retained its name as well as Vegas icon Vegas Vic when they reopened as a gift shop.  Circus Circus is the only sign here still in use as you see it.  Flamingo scaled back the sign you see here into the corner marquee we see today.  Originally it extended out to the strip with a lit canopy reminiscent of Plaza’s porte cochere.  The Horseshoe is now Binion’s, the Mint is now part of Binion’s and Lady Luck is Downtown Grand.  Fremont, Caesars, and Golden Nugget all have new versions of their signage while everything else featured here no longer exist, except in the Neon Boneyard, but not in all cases, RIP Dunes, Mint and Silverbird signage 

News

Rio Sold

Circus Circus Sold

Hooters is now OYO

Resort Fee Legislation

 LV Taxi Cab Authority considering NOT stealing from customers

Death of Stupid

Sahara Plans

Can't Stop Crazy

No More Peep Shows

Debbie Reynolds Drive

Banks for Weed

E-304: Virgining Market

Random Vegas

May advertising, a Las Vegas ad agency, created 250 logos for the Union Plaza (now plaza) before one was approved (@vitalvegas)

Twitpic of the week

The monologue for this week’s winner will be unique in that it gives me a chance to share some insight into what goes into Vintage Vegas research, or maybe its just a fun fact with impeccable timing.  I’m currently working on a large project to document the evolution of Fremont and the people who played a part in it. Recently, my research has led me to a connection to the owners of the various casinos that used to exist in the place known today as the Bonanza, the World's Largest Gift Shop, on the north west corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Sahara.  Almost as if they knew I was going to need it, @NeonMuseumshared a picture of two of the casinos that existed at that location for a time, MoneyTree and Honest John’s Casinos.  As previously state, research is ongoing, so that’s all I can tell you about those two casinos.  What I learn will be shared in a future Vintage Vegas episode

News

 Caesars-Eldorado Merger
The Sahara Returns
Cake Boss Expands to Harrah’s
Station’s Union Problems

360 Vintage Vegas: Bill Bennett and Circus Circus

*Premium Content Preview
Patreon.com/360Vegas

Looking at the same thing everyone else sees and seeing it in a way no one else before has is just one of the many reasons he took a property that failed almost the day it opened and turned it into the most successful gaming company in Vegas history.  Yet, despite all he accomplished, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve never even heard of a man referred to by many as one of the most influential in the evolution of Las Vegas.  This is Bill Bennett’s story. 

Make no mistake about it, Bill Bennett was a genius; a true pioneer in gaming. While history will forever glorify the legacy of Steve Wynn and Kirk Kerkorian, Bill Bennett is the reason Las Vegas is as popular and diverse as it is today. Before him, no one in Vegas seemed to care about the majority of the people who listen to shows like ours. While some argue things have changed for the worst and lament for the days of old when tuxes and gowns were required attire for an evening in Las Vegas, Bennett saw that it was a place that should be enjoyed by all.   While he never cared much for self promotion or the kind of attention Wynn embraces, ultimately he did want credit for what he did.  While historians recognize him as one the most important figures in the cities history, we honor his memory by making sure you, the listener, die-hard lovers of Las Vegas, know this as well.

If your interested in learning more about Bill Bennett, check out "Forgotten Man"

E-82: Economics 101

Download M4A

Random Vegas

Las Vegas set a record for attendance in 2012 with 39.7 million visitors, 500,000 more than the previous record set in 2007 (Vegas Inc.)

Vegas Mate Review of the Week

This week’s review comes to us from Scott Wolff; it’s his Feb 19^th review of the Buffet @Aria – 5/5 chips

Twitpic of the week

This week’s winner goes to @JohnColsonphoto for yet another unique, askew photo of Vegas.  This time, it’s a photo of the reflection of Paris’ Eiffel Tower and Balloon, Bally’s hotel signage and a small amount of Flamingos building and signage in Cosmopolitan’s windows.  All that with a bunch of light spots scattered all over.  I love how the windows jaded pattern causes the reflections to look as if they are being viewed from a broken mirror.  It’s almost like a metaphor for the Vegas experience, through the looking glass.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this guy has skill.  I would just love to wander the strip with John one of these times, just to see what he sees.  

News

3 dead in shoot out on Vegas strip

Caesars Entertainment now had Resort Fees

Adele Vegas residency

New Coaster coming to Circus Circus Adventuredome Video

SLS Vegas construction begins at Sahara

City Center Name Phase Out

The Amazing Las Vegas Club Renovation

POV Link Updates

Quad Signage Up

Madame Tussauds New Whitney Houston figures

Granite Gaming Takes On Fremont Street Experience

Rio's “Show in the Sky” Closing

Oscar Goodman can marry you at the Plaza

Krave Massive Problems

"Do Not Disturb" Art @ Cosmopolitan

Vegas Deals

AFFILIATE DEAL – PALMS

Ice Cream Tasting Game @RM Seafood

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

PBR Rockbar NASCAR Deals

Coming Attractions

Raiding the Rock Vault - 3/6   America’s Got Talent Live - 2/25

Art & Wine: A Perfect Pairing - 3/13, 4/10, 5/8, 6/12, 7/10, 8/14, 9/11 & 10/9

Michael Jackson One - 5/23

National Geographic’s 50 greatest photographs

Moneyline - The Over/Under Bet