Nevada Jack

Don't sell the off-strip hotels short. Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock Hotel and Casino are first class operations. Both owned by Station Casinos who have over a dozen properties in LV. They are convenient to the strip (20-30 minutes), have movie theaters and fast food areas and some very good restaurants. Gambling is your luck not the casinos so a machine or table is good if you are winning anywhere.

StevethePilot

Oh, I'm not selling off-strip short at all, it's just if I say the rates are off-strip, the guy's gonna tell me that's the reason for the difference. In point of fact, while I really like the Venetian and the view of the strip at night, there's an awful lot I do not like about the strip that you probably do not get when staying off of it. Just a shot for the group. If we can do it, great. If not, people are getting the rates they want and that's great too.

Nevada Jack

Understood. If I were a guest I would like the strip location also...after all that is what LV is all about.

StevethePilot

The guy won't budge on the Venetian's rooms. I think I know where we all stand on that subject, so if you want to stay there you know it's (outside of this contract-based offer) about $445/night.

Where's most everyone else staying?

STP

Newbie_2_MB

I'm still hoping for NJ's suggestion of Red Rock, but right now they're $400 a night for those 2 days. I got us a room at the Mirage for around $325 per night.

Nevada Jack

Yikes...I hope they reopen that special deal for you folks. Red Rock is like a strip hotel/casino....invested almost a billion buck to build.

Newbie_2_MB

The customer service person I spoke with advised me to check back in late September or early October. I went ahead & got a room at Mirage, just in case!

Stumblefoot

Since the Venetian didn't help us out with a reasonable room block rate, it looks like folks are going to be staying all over Las Vegas during our meet. Therefore, I'd like to propose the following to start putting some structure to our time together, so that we have a great experience.

I am more than happy to handle dinner arrangements for our group on Friday, October 26th. I'd ask our resident MB fanatic, Nevada Jack to handle the details for Saturday that would incorporate his roof-top casino, lunch, and a trip to see those beautiful red rocks. And, maybe a nice joint we can swing into and quench our thirst after the experience.

Since the group wasn't able to get into the Venetian, I have put a call into my contact at Caesar's for drinks and dinner at Rao's. If that doesn't work out, then I'll try B&B Ristorante next.

For those of you not familiar with Rao's, the Vegas location is only the 2nd location for this family restaurant. It is possibly the most sought after reservation in New York city as it is notorious for year-long waits for one of its ten tables. It is a not-to-be-missed experience and together we can enjoy the warmth and comfort of this turn-of-the-century NY restaurant while feasting on gloriously simple, homestyle Italian favorites that have been passed down for generations.

Recognizing that folks are coming from California, Arizona, and other locales from all over, I was thinking we could meet for drinks in the bar at 8:00p, followed by dinner at 8:30p or so.

Here's what I need to know; who's coming and how many will be at dinner? By all means, any GL owners (current or future) are welcome to join us, but the tentative list I have at the moment includes the following:

BETO
Bean Counter (Jeff)
Cierex
Love My GL (Mel)
Nevada Jack (Jack)
Newbie_2_MB (Jen)
Oknish
StevethePilot (Steve)
Stumblefoot (Brian)

So, hit me back with a confirmation and # for dinner and I'll handle the rest.

Nevada Jack

Include me for dinner (1).

I am not much of a social director but maybe Bean Counter and BETO can chime in with some suggestions.

Since Saturday is the day we show the cars, I suggest we meet at the Suncoast Roof Parking lot at 9:00AM. There will be plenty of room to position the GL's for some pics. Next drive to Red Rock Canyon area with a stop at the Entry Marker, a side trip to Calico Canyon where I shot those scenic shots of the road and the mountains. We can position the GL's coming up that road in convoy style with the mountains in the background. Then to Red Rock and the 13 mile scenic drive with some stops at the viewing areas.

On the way back from Red Rock there is a place called BJ's Brewery with a variety of food and drinks. Here is a review:

http://lasvegas.about.com/od/foodand...sbrewhouse.htm


I will have to check on seating once we have a rough count. From there I would think is free time until dinner at Rao's.

How about it Bean Counter and BETO?

Stumblefoot

Sounds like a great day. Dinner at Rao's will be Friday night though if that's okay with folks.

Nevada Jack

Ooops..my error. Then Saturday night is still open for some partying for those who want to...

StevethePilot

This sounds like some good organization. So far my only drawback is the possibility of the wife not coming. It's either that or she flies back to be at a meeting early Sunday morning.

There is one thing I'd like to know; who's going to wash all the highway off these cars for our photo shoot on Saturday morning? I'm going to want it to look like our cars are made out of mirrors in that Nevada sun! And then there'll be all the drool and nose marks on Jack's windows ... yech!

Suggestions, o Vegasians?

STP

Nevada Jack

Good point Steve...don't quite know the answer to that one. I use a car wash on Charleston Blvd. and Decatur which does hand washing, either on the rack or off the rack. It is not a detail wash but they do a good wipe down and finishing. It is on the way or can be on the way to the roof parking level. There may be some car washes closer to the strip but I could not vouch for them.

Also remember Stumblefoot will have a 550 also, so save some drool for his...

oknish

Dinner at Rao's on Friday night sounds great. It will be two adults and 2 kids (1 booster and 1 high chair) for me.

Since Sat day is already planned how about a show Sat night? I am partial to Blue Man Group but any other suggestions??

Newbie_2_MB

Sounds like a great time! There will be 2 of us for dinner...my hubby managed to get somebody to work his shift for a few days, so he'll be joining me.

Stumblefoot

Great idea! Can you spearhead this activity for the group and make arrangements for tickets, etc.? You can count me in.

Stumblefoot

The itinerary is coming along. Here's the latest update:

Friday
Dinner at Rao's:
Nevada Jack = 1
Newbie_2_MB = 2
Oknish = 4 (chairs dutifully noted)
StevethePilot = 1 (possibly 2)
Stumblefoot = 1
BETO = ?
Bean Counter = ?
Cierex = ?
Love My GL = ?
Others = ?

Saturday
NJ to supply exact addresses later:
8:00a - Wash GL's at Charleston Blvd. and Decatur.
9:00a - Pics at Suncoast roof parking lot.
9:30a - Drive to Red Rock Canyon. Pics at Entry Marker.
10:00a - Side trip to Calico Canyon. Pics of convoy.
11:00a - Drive the 13 mile Red Rock scenic road, with stops at viewing areas.
12:30p - Lunch at BJ's Brewery
Afternoon - Free time
Evening - Vegas Show

Waiting-4-550

Talk about organization... you guys are still serious about this heah.. Everyone be on alert for axe sightings.. Those big GLs can carry allota of ammo as well...

Nevada Jack

Here are the directions from Caesars Palace to the Suncoast Hotel in Summerlin. The parking garage is behind the casion beyont the Vallet Parking entrance. Take the ramp to the top level and you should see my GL550 there...:-)

Click on the pdf logo and the 2 page map and directions will show up:

http://www.nevadajack.us/displayimag...bum=23&pos=100

There is a lot of construction going on on US95 (making it 5 lanes each way instead of 3) and it is almost done but keep you eye out for exits. Use your NAV along with this and you should be fine.

oknish

for shows to go to on Sat night. My favorite is Blue Man Group playing at Luxor. Any other ideas? And who would be interested in going?

Stumblefoot

Hi folks! I've heard from my contact at Rao's in Caesars and he promises he'll get us in for Friday night (10/26), even though technically, they are already sold out for the evening.

The only caveat is that he is asking me to provide him my final count by the middle of next week, so that he can hold tables for us. So, for those folks that haven't let me know already, but are thinking they would like to join in the fun at our Vegas meet/greet party, can you let me know if you'd like to join the group for dinner by next Tuesday (8/28) evening.

The current list is:
Nevada Jack = 1
Newbie_2_MB = 2
Oknish = 4
StevethePilot = 2
Stumblefoot = 1

You can always cancel later if your plans change, so if you're interested, it's best to get your name on the list now.

My family and I are preparing to go camping for a few days, so I'll check back in late Tuesday afternoon.

Thanks everyone! This is going to be a lot of fun!

Nevada Jack

Looking forward to it Stumblefoot...can almost taste the food now...:-)

Newbie_2_MB

Very cool, Stumblefoot! Thanks for your efforts. Can hardly wait!!

StevethePilot

Don Signore Foot;

For safety's sake, put me down for 4. I might bring my kids and I'd rather have too many seats (that I can cancel) than too few.

Stefano el Volador

03see2thirtyk

Don't want to step on anybody's toes, but

I work with WFM for the Harrahs Entertainment reservations call center. If you guys want me to get you guys prices for any of the HET properties (Harrahs, Flamingo, Ballys, Paris, Rio & Caesars) for a group booking (minimum of 10) email me at jodehesa@gmail.com with # of rooms and actual dates.

For those of you who don't know the $400+ dollars you guys were quoted at Venetian are for suites. Not quite sure what actual dates you guys are planning on (I quickly read through posts)the RIO is an all suite hotel (about 800 sq ft) usually lower than venetian??? I know there's a "PACK EXPO LAS VEGAS SPONSORED BY PACKAGING MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS INSTITUTE" convention w/ 30,000 attendees for the 15th - 17th of OCT. It's based @ the las vegas Hilton but these are the type of things that drive the rates up all across town.

Also there's a car wash service, it runs about $18.00 for the basic service, I'm willing to contact them to see if they can arrange something under a group rate.

So NJ, let me know if I can be of any assistance.