Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

Wow, this is just too funny. It seems that the unique construction of CityCenter's Vdara creates a parabola that focuses the sun's rays, right onto the folks using the pool.

One guy in the story claims it singed his hair and there are supposedly melted plastic bags to prove how powerful this thing is. Even the employees seem to be calling it a 'death ray'. Of course, MGM is trying to play it down. The name they prefer: 'solar convergence'. Ha!

I try not to link to RJ stories but it's the only place you can read all the details:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/vdara-visitor---death-ray--scorched-hair-103777559.html

You can't make this stuff up.

On a more serious note, will this have any impact on condo owners trying to get out of their contracts? I could imagine an enterprising lawyer including this in their complaint.

Our Podcast-a-palooza event is coming up on October 30th. The event is free but you do need a ticket to get in. You can print the ticket here:

http://www.vegastripping.com/podcastapalooza

I'm also told that you can show the 'ticket' on the screen of your smartphone if that's your thing.

See you there!

Sometimes you're having a crappy day and then you read something that's ridiculous enough to remind you that other people are perhaps even crazier than you. That's what happened to me with this story from the LV Sun.

It seems that brand owner Hard Rock Cafe International is upset about the way that licensee Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas has been marketing itself, specifically how it relates to their Sunday Rehab pool party.

When I think of 'hard rock', I think of Van Halen, Motley Crue and the like. Those guys were guilty of acts far far worse than anything that happens on that stupid TV show. This lawsuit just seems silly to me. It also cracks me up that the complaints in the lawsuit are from people that are offended by the reality TV show but apparently still watch it and are familiar with the details.

Is there another angle here? Is this just some kind of shakedown? Anyway...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/sep/23/hard-rock-brand-sues-cites-rehab-behavior-las-vega/

Here's Jeff's latest column wherein he examines parents towing their kids through the casino, Tamares and what's happening at The Plaza as well as his take on how The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will fare when it opens in December.

Enjoy!

The Plaza today announced they'd be laying off 400 workers as they close the hotel and part of the casino for planned renovations.

Tamares, the holding company that owns the hotel, spun this as the start of great things to come but come on - how many hotels shut down completely to renovate guest rooms? Clearly Downtown Las Vegas continues to struggle - other hotels like Binion's have also shut down.

The Firefly restaurant, part of the casino and the showroom will remain open. That's gotta suck for the Firefly though - great restaurant, cool space but now even fewer customers. It's usually half empty when I am in there.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/sep/13/plaza-lay-400-workers-temporarily-close-hotel/

This time on the show:

Podcast-a-palooza - Oct. 30th, 2010. Be there.

* CityCenter CityCenter CityCenter
* Vegas Gang 'Sure Bets'

Check out the show: http://www.vegasgangpodcast.com

Feel free to leave your comments below. If it's a question that you want asked on the show, please make that clear in your post. You can also send those to editor@ratevegas.com.

This is the final part of a series about the problems that MGM Resorts International faces at CityCenter and how those problems may be impacting the important relationships they need to run their businesses.

Based on fascinating new insight into operations at the various CityCenter components, we dive deep into how the complex is doing and how bad things might get.

Part One
Part Two
Part Three - this post

Please leave your comments on this post.

This is part two of a three part series about the problems that MGM Resorts International faces at CityCenter and how those problems may be impacting the important relationships they need to run their businesses.

Based on fascinating new insight into operations at the various CityCenter components, we dive deep into how the complex is doing and how bad things might get.

Part One
Part Two - this post
Part Three - tomorrow.

Please leave your comments on this post.

This is part one of a three part series about the problems that MGM Resorts International faces at CityCenter and how those problems may be impacting the important relationships they need to run their businesses.

Based on fascinating new insight into operations at the various CityCenter components, we dive deep into how the complex is doing and how bad things might get.

The other parts of the series will be posted later this week.

Part One - this post
Part Two - Sept. 8th
Part Three - Sept. 9th

Please leave all comments about the series on this post. It's all after the jump.

Here's this month's open topic discussion for y'all to use if you'd like.

For me, one of the topics that's been fascinating for me to watch is the ongoing battle between Righthaven LLC and the rest of the world. After they sued Senate candidate Sharon Angle, the shit really hit the fan.

Steve seems to be at least partially responsible for this latest salvo.

What's my take on all of this? I pay a bunch of people to create content for me and I certainly believe in strong protections against it being used without my consent. That said, some of these cases seem like using an atomic bomb on an ant hill - a bit of an overreaction.

I'm fascinated to see how this shakes out, especially if the EFF gets involved and backs one of the defendants in an attempt to set some precedent.

Anyway, open topic away...