Convention For Poker Fans To Put Down Stakes
$50M Gift Puts Performing Arts Center On Fast Track
Updated: 12:09 pm EST March 29, 2005
The craze over poker games in the United States reached a whole new level with the announcement of the first ever World Series of Poker Consumer Retail Show.That's right -- a trade show for poker fanatics.According to a news release, the four-day long show, to be held at the Rio Suites hotel July 6-9, will "enable poker enthusiasts to learn about, experience and purchase many of the latest products that fit the lifestyle of the poker aficionado."Felt vests? Poker chip earrings? I don't know.But since it's open to the public and is being held during the fever pitched final weeks of the World Series of Poker, you can expect major crowds carrying away their "Poker Players Do It Without Bluffing" t-shirts. (I'm just guessing.)
Las Vegas is known for its big money action, but it's never seen anything like a $50 million donation toward the city's first performing arts center.The gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is the largest in Nevada history and virtually guarantees the development of the center, which had been in planning stages without concrete ideas of where the money was going to come from to build it.The donation, along with other charitable gifts and funding from a proposed car-rental tax increase, has put things on a fast track for design and construction. If all goes according to plan, the complex should be up and running in downtown Las Vegas by 2009 and will be home to various local performing arts organizations.
On April 9, while many people will be tuning their televisions to "Desperate Housewives," a lucky group of people will be getting up close and personal with one of the housewives in Vegas.Eva Longoria, who plays Gabrielle, will headline the opening of the new Pussycat Dolls Lounge at Pure Nightclub in Caesars Palace. The Los Angeles-based burlesque show has had a history of guest stars such as Christina Aguilera strutting their stuff on stage, and it seems the addition of Longoria to the Vegas debut could open the doors for similar sightings in Sin City.
The first phase of a two-part program to expand the Cannery, a locals' casino on the north side of town, is ready to open.The $40 million project starts with an expanded casino and a new parking garage in April, while the second phase will include a 14-screen movie theater complex, a new poker room, a new restaurant and a "multi-purpose" room for banquets and weddings. If it goes according to schedule, phase two should be open by this time next year.
The Clark County Heritage Museum on the east side of town is hosting a new exhibit in celebration of the city's upcoming 100th anniversary."Whistle Stop to Windfall: 100 Years in Las Vegas" features historic photographs, posters, memorabilia, clothing, artifacts and recreated scenes from the city's founding in 1905 as a tiny railroad town to the present multibillion-dollar wonderland that stands today.The exhibit also features sections on hotels, education, law enforcement, the wedding industry with a model wedding chapel, the wild-west festival Helldorado, the first volunteer fire department, a section on unique Las Vegas individuals -- with a chance to cast a vote for the viewer's favorite -- and an interactive trivia game.The exhibit is open now and is included in the almost ridiculous bargain that is the $1.50 entry fee for adults at the Clark County Heritage Museum.
You've heard me rhapsodize about Memphis Championship Barbecue, the Las Vegas-area chain that serves up some of the best barbecue I've ever tasted.Well, I just love when other people agree with me, especially those who know what they are talking about.Memphis Championship Barbecue has been included in the "Best-of-the-Best Barbecue Restaurants in America" list by the National Barbecue News for the fifth year in a row. It's one of 35 restaurants across the country on the list, and the only restaurant named for the entire state of Nevada.There are four locations around town, but the closest to the Strip is at 2250 E. Warm Springs Rd., just south and east of the airport.
Las Vegas is known for its big money action, but it's never seen anything like a $50 million donation toward the city's first performing arts center.The gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is the largest in Nevada history and virtually guarantees the development of the center, which had been in planning stages without concrete ideas of where the money was going to come from to build it.The donation, along with other charitable gifts and funding from a proposed car-rental tax increase, has put things on a fast track for design and construction. If all goes according to plan, the complex should be up and running in downtown Las Vegas by 2009 and will be home to various local performing arts organizations.
On April 9, while many people will be tuning their televisions to "Desperate Housewives," a lucky group of people will be getting up close and personal with one of the housewives in Vegas.Eva Longoria, who plays Gabrielle, will headline the opening of the new Pussycat Dolls Lounge at Pure Nightclub in Caesars Palace. The Los Angeles-based burlesque show has had a history of guest stars such as Christina Aguilera strutting their stuff on stage, and it seems the addition of Longoria to the Vegas debut could open the doors for similar sightings in Sin City.
The first phase of a two-part program to expand the Cannery, a locals' casino on the north side of town, is ready to open.The $40 million project starts with an expanded casino and a new parking garage in April, while the second phase will include a 14-screen movie theater complex, a new poker room, a new restaurant and a "multi-purpose" room for banquets and weddings. If it goes according to schedule, phase two should be open by this time next year.
The Clark County Heritage Museum on the east side of town is hosting a new exhibit in celebration of the city's upcoming 100th anniversary."Whistle Stop to Windfall: 100 Years in Las Vegas" features historic photographs, posters, memorabilia, clothing, artifacts and recreated scenes from the city's founding in 1905 as a tiny railroad town to the present multibillion-dollar wonderland that stands today.The exhibit also features sections on hotels, education, law enforcement, the wedding industry with a model wedding chapel, the wild-west festival Helldorado, the first volunteer fire department, a section on unique Las Vegas individuals -- with a chance to cast a vote for the viewer's favorite -- and an interactive trivia game.The exhibit is open now and is included in the almost ridiculous bargain that is the $1.50 entry fee for adults at the Clark County Heritage Museum.
You've heard me rhapsodize about Memphis Championship Barbecue, the Las Vegas-area chain that serves up some of the best barbecue I've ever tasted.Well, I just love when other people agree with me, especially those who know what they are talking about.Memphis Championship Barbecue has been included in the "Best-of-the-Best Barbecue Restaurants in America" list by the National Barbecue News for the fifth year in a row. It's one of 35 restaurants across the country on the list, and the only restaurant named for the entire state of Nevada.There are four locations around town, but the closest to the Strip is at 2250 E. Warm Springs Rd., just south and east of the airport.
The Full Story
- Conventon For Poker Fans To Put Down Stakes Stations' Revamp Fixes Santa Fe Station Renaissance Makes Reviewer Break Rules Vegas Q&338;A: Money's No Object! Where Should I Stay?
In Next Week's Column
Next week: The latest from Las Vegas.Plus, don't forget to send your questions about Las Vegas. I've got room for more, so send them in today!Click here to go to the main page of Vegas4Visitors.com and see all of the fantastic resources Vegas4Visitors has to offer you when planning your next trip to Las Vegas.Rick Garman is the head writer for Vegas4Visitors
Pump Patrol 
Theme Park Guide 
Central Florida's Medical City 
Bored Room 
Buy It For Half 
