Date: Sept. 20, 2020
TROPICANA LAS VEGAS® REOPENED WITH GLITZ AND GLAMOUR
Tropicana Las Vegas® commemorated a recent festive welcome back celebration reopening following its March closure due to COVID-19. The showgirls of “Legends in Concert” added to the excitement greeting guests at 10 a.m. The iconic Tropicana, now a DoubleTree by Hilton is a Penn National Gaming destination.
FLY LINQ EXTENDS HOURS
FLY LINQ, the Strip’s first and only zipline, has announced extended hours of operation as of Monday, Sept. 21. Now, guests can ride the zipline at The LINQ Promenade Thursdays through Mondays from 4 p.m. to midnight.
FLY LINQ features 10 side-by-side zip lines, capable of simultaneously launching all riders. Guests begin their experience by taking an elevator to the top of the 114-foot-tall launch tower above the mall where gear-fitting takes place. Guests can fly seated, either forward or backward, as they travel 1,121 feet along the Promenade.
In addition, High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel, currently operates Mondays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to midnight (anytime tickets), Fridays through Sundays from noon to 3:59 p.m. (daytime tickets) and 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. (anytime tickets).
BUDDY V’S RE-OPENS AT THE VENETIAN
Buddy V’s Ristorante reopened after undergoing a renovation this summer. The Italian restaurant has menu updates, new hours, a new Happy Hour and more. Located in the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, hours for dinner are Sunday–Thursday from 4-9 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Lunch is available noon-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
There are new vegetarian options, five varieties of pizza pies with perfected artisan-style dough proofed for two days and hand-stretched to order, and nightly specials.
Happy Hour is back in the bar and lounge 4-6 p.m. daily at the bar, lounge or indoor “patio.” Guests can get a variety of small bites for $6. Domestic bottled beer, red and white house wine, Prosecco, and sangria are available for $5 each.
Buddy V’s focuses on la famiglia with “Kids Eat Free” every Sunday and Monday. Kids 10 and under can enjoy their choice of Spaghetti & Meatballs, Fettucine Alfredo, Spaghetti Bolognese or Chicken Tenders & Fries with purchase of adult entrée. Kids will also receive a souvenir light up cup with their meal.
Wine lovers can rejoice with a little vino on Wine Wednesdays with 50 percent off all bottles. Now through the end of the year, Buddy V’s offers a free cannoli with the purchase of an entrée. In addition, essential workers and first responders visiting the restaurant can get 25 percent off the total bill except on Happy Hour or any other discounted menu. Buddy V’s is also now available for delivery through third-party companies and pickup at the restaurant.
Renowned baker Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro opened his first restaurant inside Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian partnering with veteran restaurateurs Elizabeth Blau and Chef Kim Canteenwalla, who also own Honey Salt.
D VOTED ‘BEST LAS VEGAS CASINO’ IN ‘USA TODAY’
For the third year in a row, the D Las Vegas has won “USA Today’s” 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Las Vegas Casino.” After four weeks of fan voting, readers selected the entertainment hotspot as their favorite casino in the city.
The D embraces the unrivaled Downtown atmosphere through its amenities, including 629 rooms and suites, eclectic restaurants, and a two-story casino. In June, owner Derek Stevens offered nearly 2,000 free flights to Las Vegas as part of his Keep America Flying promotion. Tied to the reopening of the D after its state-mandated pandemic closure, the viral campaign helped stimulate the tourism and airline industries while reminding the country of the fun to be had in Las Vegas.
In 2019, the D expanded its casino offerings by revitalizing its sports book as an official Circa Sports venue. The updated book features expansive TV screens for great viewing options, while bar-top table games and self-service kiosks make betting easier than ever.
The first floor has “Dancing Dealers” who hand out cards while grooving to high-energy music. On the second story, there is an array of “Vintage Vegas” gaming options, featuring the only Sigma Derby horse-racing simulations in Las Vegas. BarCanada is the property’s new hockey-themed bar.
The 10Best Readers’ Choice Award contest launches new categories twice a month, revealing each category’s 20 nominees. Nominees are chosen by a panel of experts which include a combination of editors from “USA Today;” relevant expert contributors; and sources from other Gannett properties.
THE STRAT EXPANDS SPORTS VIEWING AND ROOM PACKAGES
With stadiums closed to the public, The STRAT has expanded sports viewing with at PT’s Wings & Sports, View Lounge, William Hill Sports Book, and REMIX Lounge and will also offer game-day room packages.
During all Las Vegas football game weekends, The STRAT will offer the “Tailgate & Tower Package,” which includes an upgraded Elevate-series room, reserved game-day seating at PT’s Wings & Sports or View Lounge, a $25 food and beverage credit, SkyPod admission for two and a late checkout.
View Lounge has views of several HDTVs, as well as a prime visual overlooking William Hill Sports Book, which showcases games on multiple widescreens, a massive LED wall with nearly 40 feeds, and comfortable seating.
LIVE CONCERT WITH MICHELLE JOHNSON
Michelle Johnson will make her debut in the new venue The Vegas Room located in historic Commercial Center at 953 E Sahara Ave., Suite E18 on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26. She will be accompanied in the intimate setting with her friend and musical director Dan Ellis on piano.
The venue is operating at a 35-person capacity, and management is practicing outstanding Covid-19 precautions including temperature checks, hand sanitizer, masks or face coverings, social distancing, and food prepared under Covid-19 safe conditions.
The Vegas Room “Supper Club Experience” includes a 6:30 p.m. arrival coupled with a five-course dinner by Executive Chef David James Robinson prior to the 8 PM performance. Cost is $79 per guest plus tax and processing fees.
NEON MUSEUM LIGHTS MOULIN ROUGE SIGN
For the first time since arriving at The Neon Museum Boneyard, the iconic Moulin Rouge sign was re-illuminated during a private event for museum donors and VIPs last week. This is one of the museum’s most historically significant Neon Boneyard sign exhibits because the Moulin Rouge was famous for being the first major racially integrated casino, and in March of 1960 played a crucial role in ending segregation in Las Vegas.
The letters have been rearranged and re-electrified to accurately portray how the sign was originally displayed in 1955.
PR%F AWARDS 2020 HAS NEW PARTNERS, DATES AND CATEGORIES
The PR%F Awards, an international and domestic spirits, wine, and beverage competition has moved its dates to Dec. 1 and 2, 2020. Designed to award accolades to many emerging beverage brands and established favorites, the PR%F Awards platform brings visibility to its spirits brands with a “buyers only” judging platform and partnership with F&B’s publication, “Food and Beverage Magazine.”
The PR%F Awards private judging competition will take place Dec. 1-2 at Green Valley Ranch Resort with a prestigious panel of experts.
PR%F Awards 2020 has extended its beverage collection of categories to include an array of wines and sparkling wines, New World whiskey, spirited and non-spirited seltzers and ciders, frozen concoctions, coffee liquors and more. To enter visit proofawards.com.
NONPROFIT 24MEALS RECRUITS PROFESSIONAL CHEFS
The impact of the pandemic is devastating more and more individuals and families, yet it is noteworthy when one local family generates a movement.
The nonprofit 24Meals started in March by the Fresinski family of Henderson to provide chef-prepared meals delivered along with uplifting messages of encouragement has quickly grown. The organization now serves chef-prepared, home-cooked meals to more than 150 households each week and has delivered more than 6,500 meals to date. Thus far, its efforts have been made possible by donations of food, cash, and volunteers to cook and deliver meals, as well as support from Wilder Gourmet and the Fresinskis’ own financial contributions.
Katinka Fresinski, who owns an event staffing company, and her husband Matt, an executive chef on the Las Vegas Strip, started this movement when the pandemic shut down the hospitality industry. Their first family quarantine project was cleaning out their pantry. They were able to prepare 24 meals to give away, and their 11-year-old son wrote inspirational messages on each individually packaged meal’s to-go lid. The families who received the first batch of meals wanted to help other families and asked to donate to the cause, and 24Meals was born.
The family project quickly evolved as the Fresinskis began to receive food donations from all over the valley. They created a “Chef’s Challenge,” whereby chefs are nominated to make 24 meals of their choice utilizing all the ingredients in a “mystery box” provided to them containing donated ingredients. They, too, are encouraged to write inspirational messages on each box and post their final dishes on social media. Each chef is also asked to nominate another chef and gift at least one ingredient for the next chef’s mystery box. So far, 68 chefs have participated, and more are needed to help.
The public can support 24Meals with food and cash donations, delivery service, etc. For information, visit 24Meals.org.
BOOK FESTIVALS GO VIRTUAL
The Las Vegas Book Festival will be Virtual Book Week taking place Oct.19–24. More details will be shared soon. The Las Vegas Book Festival is the largest literary event in Nevada produced by the city of Las Vegas and Nevada Humanities. The annual celebration of the written, spoken and illustrated word is free and open to the public.
The JCC of Southern Nevada will present a two-month Book Festival Wednesday, Sept. 16–Sunday, Nov. 22. The event will bring a who’s who of authors, activists and actors together for discussions about the books and stories they have written. Some of the authors include Ken Follett, Deepak Chopra, Colin Quinn, Steve Madden and Rachel Bloom. The program times vary. The full program lineup including ticket prices and registration links are at jewishnevada.org/bookfestival. For more information, call 702-794-0090.
SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN OPEN HOSTS VIRTUAL LUNCHEON
Shriners Hospitals for Children Open invites women nationwide to support the mission of Shriners Hospitals for Children. This year’s tenth annual Kick Off Your Heels Luncheon will be held virtually on Friday, Oct. 2 from 4–6 p.m.
During the event, attendees will participate in an engaging craft activity by Corks ‘n Crafts creating a resin cheese board. All participants will receive a full kit of crafting supplies and access to the Zoom class. Local guests can purchase the resin cheese board craft for $55 and a charcuterie and red wine package for $35, both available for local pickup. Guests logging in from different cities can purchase the resin cheese board for $70 with free nationwide shipping.
Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on silent auction items with the proceeds directly benefiting the patients of Shriners Hospitals for Children nationwide.
DISTILL AND REMEDY’S TAVERNS HOST ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVES
Distill and Remedy’s neighborhood bars will host their third annual #VegasStrong Blood Drives on Wednesdays, Oct. 7 and 14 from 2–8 p.m. For every donation made, Distill and Remedy’s will give away a “Pint for a Pint” certificate for a free beer to be redeemed at a later date. Donors can sign up at bloodhero.com and use code word “yourlocalbar” to reserve a spot, but walk-ins are also welcomed. Donors must wear a face mask upon arrival.
It will be Remedy’s St. Rose on Oct. 7 at 3265 St. Rose Pkwy in Henderson, and Distill Summerlin on Oct. 17 at 10820 W. Charleston Blvd.
Continuing the tradition of supporting first responders, Distill and Remedy’s will feature a special cocktail for the month of October called the Salty Dog Press for $10. All proceeds from the Salty Dog Press will go towards the Injured Police Officer’s Fund.
SIGHTINGS
Recent visitors dining at El Dorado Cantina at Tivoli Village included VGK- Vegas Golden Knights VIP Marc-Andre Fleury, who dined with his family, and new Vegas resident Pauly Shore, joined by magician Murray SawChuck and actor/comedian Chris Kattan and friends.
WINNERS AT ARIZONA CHARLIE’S PROPERTIES
Four lucky Las Vegas locals won big at Arizona Charlie’s Boulder and Decatur locations taking home $90,752 collectively over Sept. 9–11. One at Boulder hit a $52,145 jackpot playing Charlie’s Bingo Double Progressive. The three other winners hit jackpots playing at Decatur, including one player who won $16,000 playing Double Double Bonus Poker; another who won $12,107 playing the Lightning Link machine; and a third who won $10,500 playing the Cash machine.