Lynn Goya: Lynn Goya is a freelance writer based in Vegas, the Entertainment Capital of the World -- or is it the City of Lights? Sin City? Family Friendly? No matter what the name, we cover Vegas for those who like to get to know a city, not follow the crowd. We promise to uncover the corner restaurant serving five star food; the upcoming music festival showcasing the next Killers band; the food festival where locals hang out; and the Strip shows that are worth the ticket price. Consider us your local friend; you are always welcome to spend some time on our sofa.
Sweet Meal Deals for Vegas Valentines
Vegas rolls out its best prix fixed meals for lovers for Valentine’s Day. Some of the best chefs offer special dishes, exotic side dishes and simply sweet deserts. Follow your heart as well as your stomach this holiday!
Society Café at Encore treats couples to a special three course dinner on Valentine’s day, including the signature Mac N’ Cheese “Bites” as an appetizer and Executive Chef Kim Canteenwalla’s luscious chocolate Cake.
Choice of Appetizer: Tomato Two Ways: Rosso Bruno...
January 31st, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Review: Vegas Goes South of the Border
Most people think they know Mexican food, but anyone who has eaten Mexican food in San Diego can attest to the fact that it is way different than dishes typical of El Paso. South of San Diego, the Baja peninsula is separate from mainland Mexico and its food shows the difference. Baja is known for its seafood with fish tacos, shrimp burritos and whole lobster plates served with tortillas, beans and rice. Baja food is addictive, but not too easy to find in Vegas – until now. Hussong’s has...
January 27th, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Laugh Yourself Silly with Comedian Don Rickles
Don Rickles may not have invented insult comedy, but he certainly perfected it. While playing in a small, unknown Hollywood nightclub in 1957, the audacious stand-up comic noticed Hollywood legend Frank Sinatra enter the room. “I just saw your movie, The Pride and the Passion,” Rickles announced to Sinatra from the stage, “and I want to tell you, the cannon’s acting was great. And, make yourself at home, Frank.
Hit somebody.”
Sinatra reportedly doubled up laughing and became one of...
January 26th, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Vegas Charity Helps Kids
Mrs. Linda Rye, a new 1st grade teacher to Martinez Elementary School in Las Vegas, was puzzled. As she settled down for circle time she brought out one of her favorite books about a little girl’s birthday party, but instead of the sparkle she had envisioned with students clamoring to tell their own birthday stories, she was met with silence. Stunned, she realized not only did none of her students have personal birthday party memories to share, they had never even seen one.
“Do you know what?”...
January 21st, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Vegas Raises Funds for Haiti and Local Organizations
The Divine Miss M raises cash for Doctors without Borders
Bette Midler, who raised $38,741.62 with her fans at her January 16 performance of The Showgirl Must Go On at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, will use her final performance in Vegas to double down. The Divine Miss M pledges to match all donations for Haiti Earthquake Relief collected at her finale on January 31.
During her January 16 performance, the singer moved guests when she said that she would match any money donated that night. ...
January 21st, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Valentine’s Day Funk in Vegas
Personally, I think the blues is the sexiest most romantic music around. Vegas celebrates R&B, soul and funk at KLUC’s 4th Annual Valentine’s Love Affair at Orleans Arena February 13 with romantic acts from the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Sharing the stage will be Heatwave, best known for the 1977 hit “Boogie Nights,” and “Always and Forever” and “Groove Line;” Peaches and Herb, including original member Herb Fame and his new “Peaches,” Meritxell Negre, who will perform classic...
January 20th, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Amargosa Opera House a Secret Nevada Treasure
Marta Becket is either crazy, eccentric or inspired, depending upon who you talk with. For forty years Nevada had a secret that we didn’t often share with the world. On the way to Death Valley (less than a two-hour jaunt from the Strip) there is a little old lady approaching 90 who spent her life creating one-woman plays in a decaying theater in the middle of nowhere often for no one but herself.
At one time a professional ballerina who performed on Broadway and at Radio City Music Hall,...
January 19th, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Water, Water Everywhere, but not a Drop to Drink
It’s rainy again today in Vegas, with fluffy clouds in the sky and crystal clear air. Beautiful. But even our rainy days are mostly dry. Water is an issue throughout the West and one that locals and visitors should take seriously if we want to be here in decades to come. Many visitors see Vegas as a symbol of water excess, but that is far from true. During the last decade, Vegas actually used less water – not as a percentage, but in actual use – despite our rapid increase in tourism...
January 15th, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Kick off the New Year with Great Vegas Deals
As we jump into the new year – and the new decade – refreshed, invigorated and ready to regain our optimism, you might start off with a quick jaunt to Vegas. Vegas has always a bet on the impossible and improbable, but often the improbable does come true. At least we hope this decade takes us all down the road to long-term prosperity and sustainable living. Vegas invites visitors to catch a great deal and return to life with renewed enthusiasm. Check out these January-only specials.
...
January 14th, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Cowboy Poets and Fans Gather in Elko
Cowboys from across the nation gather for a week in January to celebrate the unique Western cultural phenomenon that is the American cowboy. The low-key festival has expanded to become a major cultural event in rural Nevada, drawing international attendees and cowboys from across the mountains and plains — and now the swamps. The men and women sing, recite and create artwork that celebrates contemporary and traditional arts that arise from living and caring for land and livestock. The 26th...
January 8th, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Calling All Cowboy Artists and Fans
Nevada is still the home of the wild west. We have more wild mustangs than any other state, still have range roundups, Vegas hosts the largest rodeo in the nation as well as a major annual bull riding competition and Elko is renown for its annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. And now Genoa, which may be the state’s first town, announces the Genoa Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival and Juried Art Show.
The four-day festival expects to draw over 1,000 attendees per day to enjoy a star-studded...
January 7th, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Nevada Skis
Las Vegas may be in the heart of the Mojave Desert, but the basin and range topography typical throughout the state offers opportunities for great winter outdoor experiences – after all, Nevada doesn’t mean “snow covered” for nothing. Look to the west from the Las Vegas strip, and you will see a white-capped mountain that often remains snow covered through June. Just a little over an hour drive, Lee Canyon offers winter enthusiasts quick access to reasonable snow conditions. However Mt....
January 6th, 2010 | Las Vegas | Read More
Best Places in Vegas to Dance the Night Away
Looking for a place to pick up a few dance steps to sweep your sweetheart off her feet? Wish you knew how to actually dance? Too cheap or too scared to take lessons? Never fear. Free (or nearly free) dance lessons are here. Vegas offers free Keno lessons, but if you want to make like James Bond, learn to line dance, swing, cha cha, tango, two-step-, rumba, hustle or do the salsa. Lessons typically take place a half-hour or so before the club opens. Nightclubs are typically 21 and older,...
December 31st, 2009 | Las Vegas | Read More
American Idol winner Kris Allen plays Vegas
Join American Idol winner Kris Allen at B.B. King’s Blues Club after midnight on Wednesday. The 2009 Idol contestant secured his victory with his original arrangements and memorable performances of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and Kanye West’s “Heartless.” Since securing the title, Allen has had multiple songs appear on the Billboard charts including his finale song “No Boundaries” that hit No. 1 on the iTunes chart. Earlier...
December 29th, 2009 | Las Vegas | Read More
Las Vegas Brides Dive for Diamonds
Five lucky brides at the Las Vegas Bride Magazine’s 2nd Annual Las Vegas Bridal Expo in January will be chosen from the audience to don a bridal gown and dive into a massive wedding cake in search of a hidden diamond ring valued at $4,000 courtesy of I Do Diamonds, The Princess Cut. Non-diving brides will visit with over 200 of the city’s premier bridal caterers, floral designers, party rentals, photographers, entertainment, jewelers, professional planning services who will showcase their...
December 28th, 2009 | Las Vegas | Read More
Vegas New Year’s Eve Sparkles
Last year Vegas toned down its New Year’s Eve celebration, but don’t expect a subdued experience this year. With the opening of City Center and a reworked fireworks display, the center of the Strip should be a place to party hearty in 2009. And who wouldn’t want to celebrate the last of 2009 which marks the end of the Decade from Hell? Good riddance, we say! And may 2010 be a better year.
So grab your sweetheart and prepare to party. Vegas shuts down Las Vegas Blvd., as usual, to...
December 23rd, 2009 | Las Vegas | Read More
Christmas Dinner a Vegas Tradition
With Vegas’ wealth of celebrity chefs, master sommeliers and gourmands, one would expect the holiday food offerings in town to be spectacular. And they’d be right. Families can feast at luxury buffets, down home restaurants, ethnic restaurants or very very elite dining establishments. Price is no object, since if you care to, you can eat out for the same or less than preparing your own meal, or you can indulge like a French aristocrat before the revolution (no hummingbird tongues that I...
December 16th, 2009 | Las Vegas | Read More
Review: Vegas’ 2nd King opens Blues Club
As Cirque du Soleil prepares to open its newest show based on Elvis at the new City Center, 30-year Vegas resident B.B. King held an opening night party of his own at his new club at the Mirage. The blues legend celebrated the opening of B.B. King’s Blues Club with a toast as the audience exploded in applause. “May I live forever. And YOU live forever and a day,” he said as he raised his glass. Then he launched into “The Thrill is Gone” accompanied by a stage packed with lead guitarists...
December 15th, 2009 | Las Vegas | Read More
Get out and Get Dirty: Vegas’ Spectacular Winter Wonderland
There is a secret club of Vegas visitors who eschew the glittering lights to take advantage of the great outdoor offerings just beyond the neon. Vegas is less than a our hour drive from the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, Grand Staircase Escalante, Brianhead Ski Resort, Mojave National Preserve, King’s Canyon, Death Valley, as well as Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Red Rock National Conservation Area.
Many locals don’t come out of summer hibernation until the...
December 13th, 2009 | Las Vegas | Read More
Vegas Lights the Nation’s Tallest Christmas Tree
In the first of what it hopes will become an annual tradition, M Resort Spa and Casino lights the tallest tree in the nation while supporting a handful of key annual charities. The event will feature special performances by local school choirs, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies and Santa’s Helpers who will support Three Square Food Bank, Catholic Charities and Toys for Tots. Guests are invited to bring new and gently used coats, and new unwrapped toys to donate.
Clark County, home to Las Vegas,...
December 10th, 2009 | Las Vegas | Read More
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