It isn't Vision It's A View
You can tell it is a press release when the anonymous author refers to the corporate executives involved (including a casino owner, a landscaper and a developer) collectively as, "The visionaries." This November 29 press release issues the fresh announcement that the Hard Rock Hotel plans to sell furnished studios that overlook the pool and Strip. Great view, granted, but how much vision really did it take? Does Joan of Arc feel threatened?
Southern Nevada Water Authority Proposes Siphoning From Canada
After protests from Lincoln and White Pine counties about Las Vegas' plan to suck their groundwater away to support our more important society, the Authority has decided to secretly run a large pipe to Canada and tap their aquifers.
Although that's not exactly what the Authority said at this week's meeting when it announced a compromise to "protect sensitive resources and protect federally managed lands" (R-J) by taking water from the Death Valley Regional Flow System, we know the truth.
C'mon. Death Valley? We heard "Vancouver."
And strange that we did, because Macleans in Canada reports that Canada ought to consider just such a thing: "Engineers agree that, if Nevada can pipe water 400 km south, eventually it could pipe it all the way from the Canadian border."
The Los Angelization of Vegas, From Someone Known as 'Mr. Las Vegas'
A November 24 LA Times article, "Vegas Stripping L.A. of Its Luxury Luster," has drawn positive reaction-—for Las Vegas. A sample of the comments posted on luxist.com, described as a "blog obsessively covering luxury products":
From Ted "Mr. Las Vegas" Newkirk: "Don't get me wrong: Los Angeles will never lose its draw. Great weather, beaches, second largest metro area in the U.S. and it will continue to be the heart of entertainment for decades to come. On the other hand, Los Angeles has grown old and tired to some respect. Nothing really new or exciting is happening like it was 20-30 years ago. It isn't the center of the music industry it once was, and even Hollywood is not what it used to be. Movies are shot all over North America and celebrities move around the world between cities."
From Sara Safaretti:
"I'm one who currently lives and shops in LA. Though my friends and I are certainly not some of the highest rollers in town, we do routinely spend $50-75k when we go out, and we usually opt to do so once or twice a month. Since the middle of this year, I've found myself flying more and more often to Vegas (and spending just as much—if not more—over there. My husband and I are thinking about making a permanent move to Vegas, perhaps early next year. We've had our eye on a nice $8M spread, which is better than anything that we've seen for the size here in LA."
Las Vegas Strips in the Times, Too—To No One's Surprise
According to the Times article, notoriety isn't the only thing Vegas is stealing from the City of Angels. To wit:
Every casino on the Strip: Mark Hoegh, marketing specialist for Redmond, Oregon-based Kobe Beef America, referring to the ubiquitousness of Kobe beef.
• 15 percent to 20 percent: Portion of business LA Specialty Produce derives from the Vegas market.
• Six nights a week: Frequency of food deliveries from the Santa Monica Seafood Co.
• 50 percent: Rise in cost of palm trees in Indio, California, from $1,800 to $2,700; many are headed to Vegas hotels and condominium developments.
• Fourteen: Number of sommeliers in Vegas.
• None: Number in Los Angeles.
It Begs The Question: Will People Still Be Roping Calves and Wrestling Steers in 2014?
We're as happy as any other cowfolk that the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo has agreed to stay in Vegas through 2014—we love tourist bucks. But does that presuppose the failure of animal rights activists for another nine years?
Our prediction: An international PETA convention conveniently timed some December in Vegas, a massive, controversial clashing of horns.
William Edwards and Douglas Hoffman: Crime Story of the Year
A 58-year-old man spends the wee hours of the night chopping down trees in his own Anthem neighborhood; a 60-year-old retired cop apprehends him with an 8 iron. This is a beauty, R-J. Kudos.
Not That Kind of Toy Drive, Sicko!
The Sin City Chamber of Commerce will hold a holiday party next Friday at the Ice House, and while we wouldn't normally announce social events, we thought it was nice that the city's adult-oriented businesses are doing their part for kids, accepting unwrapped gifts to be given to children at the Shade Tree Women's & Children's Shelter and Children of Incarcerated Parents. Party time: 7-11 p.m. Call 450-7222.
Remember, unwrapped gifts, for all of you tempted to surprise.
Ways In Which the Film Good Night, and Good Luck About Murrow's Love of the News Has Affected News-Gathering at the Weekly
1. Chain-smoking. Every one of us.
2. We never send an issue to print without first saying, "Good night, and good luck."
3. Very paranoid about the reach of this McCarthy fellow.
4. Even more paranoid about the Commie pinkos among us.
5. Hiding our ACLU cards.
6. Think we'd look great living in black and white.
7. Limiting our muckraking coverage of aluminum in effort to woo Alcoa on board as an advertiser.
8. Wish at least one of our surnames was "Friendly."