360 Vegas

E-399: T-Rex Arm

Random Vegas
In 1999, the Stardust signed a 10-year deal with Wayne Newton for a reported $25 m per year, the largest entertainment contract in Vegas history at the time.  But after 5 ½ years Newton ended his run and was replaced by George Carlin in April 2005
 
Twitpic of the week 
I’ll admit it, this is the first Twitpic of the week that I’m not 100% sure where this is located.  My educated guess is the Stardust but my experiences with her were so limited.  Still, she seems to have the same level of elegance and tackiness as the legend.  Thanks to @VitalVegas, we got to thoroughly reflect on the strips past and present.
 
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E-398: Over Confident Keren

Random Vegas
In France, the movie “the Hangover” was given the title “Very Bad Trip”.  In Spanish-speaking countries, it was called “What Happened Yesterday” (@VitalVegas)
Twitpic of the week
A moment in time capture by @_GrandPaD’s father in 1964 featuring the Stardust, a legend in her prime.  Still sporting the original road marquee as well as the properties original frontage.  Adding to the glamor is a parking lot full of vintage vehicles.  We’ll, back then they weren't vintage but you know what we mean.  It’s a great photo of a great place in the sun.
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Pay to Play

E-397: Tony Gets Fired

Random Vegas
Private dances at Vegas strip clubs require the dancer to always keep one foot on the floor, preventing straddling, dry humping, and other erotic positions. (@kinziroze)
 
Twitpic of the week
Its about to happen again.  An icon of Las Vegas signage will be going away, making the strip a sadder place.  Of course we are talking about the Mirage volcano, expected to be destroyed to make way for the Hard Rock Brand. In order to bring something even more iconic, the Dunes had to go.  Most lamented of which is the beautiful turret signage.  Without a doubt, the #1 sign I wish I’d seen, shared here by @Las_when. Supplementing that view was the ability to enjoy some drinks at the Top o the Dunes complete with a unique perspective of that marquee.    But Vegas can’t and won’t allow nostalgia to prevent progress.  In the Dunes case, we lost the property to an even bigger marquee attraction, the Fountains of Bellagio.  Rumor is Hard Rock has plans to build a guitar hotel as they have at other locations around the country.  Will this be an upgrade from the volcano?  Only time will tell.
 
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Downtown Rocks 2022

E-396: Vroom

Random Vegas
The Mirage hotel’s gold windows get their color from actual gold dust used in the tinting process.
Twitpic of the week
An easy way to get my attention is to share a picture of one of Las Vegas’ legendary resorts under construction, like the one shared by @las_when of NYNY in the early stages of construction.  I’ve no handyman skills so construction or renovation of any kind is magical to me.  Watching Vegas resorts evolve and develop their footprint always makes me smile as well as showcases how far we’ve come and how uncreative properties like Resorts World and Virgin are, little more than simply buildings with casinos inside, devoid of any personality.  Thankfully we have photography to document Vegas’ evolution into the number 1 tourist destination in America.
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E-395: Salt Bae & Switch

Random Vegas
In the late 40s, ownership of the Flamingo saved 30 cats marked for euthanization and gave them a home and a job
Not only did they kill the mice and rats at the Flamingo but overachieved by taking care of them in the surrounding area as well.
Eager to show off what a good job they were doing, the cats would often bring the remains of their prey to Flamingo staff who would then have to quickly hide the remains, so guests didn't see.
So valued were their services that they learned they would receive leftovers from elaborate meals at the property if they simply visited the back door to the kitchen
Twitpic of the week
It’s a dream like image of a property that lives up to the Hype.  Circa fully light up and reflecting off a puddle, symbolizing the Stevens group domination of the Downtown market.  Not to be forgot is the reflection of the Golden Gate, the oldest property on Fremont St.  It’s hard to come up with the proper way to say this is beautiful but it is and so much more.  You’ve got to see @goldengatevegas photo and this week’s winner.
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E-934: Coming In Hot

Random Vegas
MSG Sphere @Venetian will be the largest spherical structure in the world at 366-feet tall and 516 feet wide.  The project is expected to be complete in 2023 (edmtunes.com)
Twitpic of the week
Elegant in black and white, legendary at all accounts.  Caesars Palace, unlike Flamingo, is a property that has weathered many storms and still managed to keep attracting high rollers.  Captured by @las_when, this photo from 1971 shows the property after its first expansion tower.  Today, not only does that tower look different, the entire property has gone through a much more appropriate Grecco roman esthetic. Thankfully we have photography to capture this time in history
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360 Vintage Vegas PCP: Tony Cornero and the Stardust

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While many architecture academics have criticized Las Vegas for its lack of substance, there may be no better example of this elitism than the scorn directed towards the Stardust.  For better or worse, history points to the Stardust as the defining moment when Las Vegas no longer required a jacket and tie to gain entrance to.  Instead of celebrating the brilliance in the Stardust’s minimalism, it was trashed for focusing more on the exterior signage and façade, wrapped around a building that was little more than a massive, non-descript warehouse.  Whether inadvertent or by intention, it seems each time Vegas has successfully evolved to appeal to more diverse tastes, that success is met with opposition; Slut Shaming those who dare to find things appealing like neon signage, themed resorts or anything deemed inferior to "intellectual" tastes.  But the glory that is Las Vegas is knowing that judging people for what appeals to them has never made converts, it alienates; even if supplying that demand is more financially motivated than cultural.  When the majority doesn't see things the way you'd like them to, that doesn't mean they're wrong, it means you don't get it.  The Stardust got it, in a big way. 

E-393: Appropropriate Juxtaposition

Random Vegas
Before Paris/Caesars could do anything to the Eiffel Tower replica, such as the addition of the light show, changes have to be approved by France (@VitalVegas)
 
Twitpic of the week
 
It’s a rare occurrence in Vegas but when it happens it's as magical as a neon.  Snow in Las Vegas, the clean and beautiful white dressing everything you know into a winter wonderland.  Contending for even better than the view is the fact that snow doesn’t typically stick around any longer than an afternoon.  So only morning traffic has to deal with it.  Potentially the best looking property in the snow is Luxor, shared by @LasVegasLocally with its juxtaposed onyx glass playing off the pristine white covering the pyramid, sphinx and palm trees.  Thankfully we have photography to capture this unicorn when it magically appears.
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