The Meaning of Public Service

Earlier this week, we were discussing the ongoing plague of sexism in our society and our politics. Even now, some are still trying to justify misogyny as "morality", "art", "conviction", "fun", or something else. And it's having a strong influence on the major policy fights of our time.

This past spring, Assembly Member Lucy Flores (D-North Las Vegas) had to confront this head on. After she testified on comprehensive sex-ed legislation and shared her personal experience on the matter, she was confronted with horrific death threats and disgusting "slut shaming" from the state’s largest "newspaper" and its 21st Century Know Nothing allies. Despite these personal attacks, Assembly Member Flores continued to speak out and aid efforts to pass the sex-ed bill. The bill (AB 230) ultimately passed the Assembly, but died a rather mysterious death in the State Senate.

Yet since that fight, Lucy Flores has gained an even higher profile than the one she had before the 77th session (and that was already pretty high). In fact, it's now so high that there's a grassroots #WhyNotLucy campaign to draft #FierceFlores to run for Lieutenant Governor next year. Now talk about a meteoric rise...

And colossal fall? Early on, Lucy Flores looked like a potential frontrunner as enthusiasm was building for a possible statewide run. However, a major plot twist emerged this week. On Wednesday, Jon Ralston reported on whispers from prominent political power players that indicated growing buzz for Susie Lee.

And who is Susie Lee?

Lee is a longtime ally of state Board of Education member Elaine Wynn, and this flattering profile of her role in Communities in School shows her commitment on a key issue for voters. As one key insider put it: "Susie is smart, effective, aggressive. A longtime Nevadan.  Brings a unique set of skills to the position and to the campaign - is someone who can get things done. An education champion - long pushing an agenda of equal opportunity for quality education. Ties to gaming so understands value/role of Tourism to this economy. And has demonstrated a commitment to this community."

Oh, and her ability to self-finance.....

Susie Lee is close to Elaine Wynn, so Susie Lee is automatically assumed to have "the inside track" for winning statewide office. That's because Ms. Wynn has all the right "juice" with all the right people. Oh, and of course, she's a billionaire who served on the board of one of the state's top gaming companies.

Now don't get me wrong, Elaine Wynn has done many good things with her money. She has often given back to the community. And her politics (thankfully) doesn't match up with her ex-husband's.

Yet with that being said, Ms. Wynn has very strong ties to the school privatization "reform" campaign. We've discussed before the fallacy behind the promise of "school reform". And far too many in Southern Nevada have had to learn this the hard way.

Perhaps Susie Lee will offer something different. After all she's running, not Elaine Wynn. But then again, Lee's well connected allies seem be promoting her by talking up her ties to Wynn. And until Susie Lee articulates her own policy platform, we won't know for sure if her plan is really all that different from Wynn's.

Lucy Flores, however, already has a record. She's already been tested in campaigns. And she clearly knows how to fight back when opponents attack.

Fortunately for everyone involved, sexism isn't the issue this time (at least for now). Both prospective Democratic Lt. Gubernatorial candidates are women, and that in and of itself says something. Now, it's a matter of who, what, and why these candidates stand for. Public office is supposed to be about public service. And as we learn more about these candidates and all the other candidates announcing for the 2014 cycle, we need to ask them all if they truly understand the meaning of public service.

All too often, it's easy to forget this as we experience the day-to-day hurly burly of contemporary American politics. Who's up? Who's down? Who has the most "juice"? Who has the most money? Who has the party bosses? And who has the inside track?

How about who has the best vision for this state's future? Who has articulated smart policy proposals? And who truly wants to demonstrate good public service? These are the kinds of merits we need to see more in Carson City.

So far, Lucy Flores shows promise in this regard. And maybe Susie Lee will be able to prove she's more than just "juiced up". We just have to keep in mind the meaning of public service as we're about to choose new public servants.

Mark Amodei to Nevada: Drop Dead (You Red!)

(Also at Daily Kos)



So Mark Amodei, just after being crowned the GOP nominee in NV-02 (we'll see how long that lasts!), releases some silly ad full of xenophobia.

But the debt, THE DEBT!!! What about THE DEBT??!! Well, here are some facts about the national debt that Mark Amodei doesn't want you to know.



When George Bush was President, Republican Congressional leaders voted 19 times to raise the national debt ceiling by $4 trillion! Funny enough, I don't remember Mark Amodei screaming then about REPUBLICANS "surrendering to China"... But I do remember REPUBLICANS in Congress chiding anyone who tried to negotiate budget reforms into any debt ceiling vote.



So what changed? President Obama is now in office. And we're just barely getting out of a brutal recession that would only worsen if Mark Amodei has his way and we reduce public investment exactly when the economy needs more investment.

And by the way, why does Mark Amodei hate China? Clearly, he hasn't received the memo from the great titans of Nevada industry!



Yes, that's right. Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International, and Las Vegas Sands all have huge investments in Macau... Which happens to be a part of "BIG BAD COMMUNIST CHINA!!!" So is Mark Amodei ready to call these great Nevada capitalist institutions "COMMUNISTS!!!" for investing so much in China?

And is Mark Amodei also ready to hurl that same insult on the entire Las Vegas Strip corridor? As international tourism continues to pick up and the weak dollar continues to lure even more tourists to visit America, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) plans to invest another $3.5 million in international promotion, including opening an office in CHINA (!!!), in hopes of encouraging more of those international tourists to include Las Vegas in their itineraries.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board of directors [last week] approved contracts for 10 international offices and an extension of its advertising agreement with R&R Partners as it said goodbye to five elected officials, including its chairman, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.

The two-year deals for international representation run from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2014, and will cost the authority $1.7 million in fiscal year 2013 and $1.8 million in 2014.

In addition to approving offices in Canada, Mexico, Japan, several western European nations, Australia, China, Brazil and Russia, the board authorized a request for proposals for representation in South Korea, India and France.

The authority is developing a strategy to increase the percentage of Las Vegas visitors from other countries from the current 18 percent to 30 percent within 10 years. Last year, 6.7 million international visitors came to Southern Nevada and spent an estimated $6.6 billion, which would support 58,000 jobs.

International visitors stay longer and spend more money than their domestic counterparts. The U.S. Commerce Department says international visitation to the United States is expected to grow by 49 percent through 2016 and LVCVA President and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter said Las Vegas needs to take the opportunity to get a good share of those visitors.

So when will Mark Amodei call out the BIG BAD COMMUNISTS!!! at LVCVA?

Let's face it: Our nation will suffer immensely if the debt ceiling is not raised very soon. We simply can't afford for the federal government to shut down after defaulting on its debt. All it would do is cause a global economic catastrophe unseen since The Great Depression.

And guess what? If all that comes to pass and the world falls into deeper recession, maybe even depression, following a failure to raise the federal debt ceiling, then I doubt Las Vegas will be able to bring in all those foreign tourists we had hoped for. And last I checked, Las Vegas tourism and gaming are the biggest source of revenue for the entire State of Nevada.

So does Mark Amodei really want to further cripple our state by killing what just happens to be propping up Nevada's sickly economy at the moment? Think of all the jobs Nevada would lose if Mark Amodei and the teabaggers had their way in holding our country hostage over the debt ceiling. And think of what prospective international travelers think of people in our government essentially spitting on them and their culture (which is what Mark Amodei is essentially doing). And again, why are they so gung-ho to push the economy off the cliff now when they refused to do anything about George Bush's deficit spending five years ago?

I smell something fishy here. Am I the only one?

Casinos: Encore Beach Club Is OPEN!

It's here! It's here! It's finally here, bitchez!



Encore Beach Club is HERE! And Surrender. And the newly remixed Switch.

Here are the deets, via The Sun.

The Las Vegas Strip today has another nightclub and adult pool to add to its growing list. Encore Las Vegas will open its Encore Beach Club and Surrender nightclub, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend crowds.

The $68 million pool-nightclub complex is replacing Encore’s porte-cochere, so those walking the Strip will be able to peek in on the action.

Opening festivities will begin when Surrender’s resident DJ Steve Aoki takes over the turntables and will continue through the weekend with musical guests Ne-Yo, Kaskade and LMFAO. The 5,000-square-foot Surrender nightclub will open to the outdoors as weather permits.

The 60,000-square-foot Encore Beach Club will be a 21-and-over pool complex. The pool will feature 26 cabanas, eight two-story, 350-square-foot bungalows, a restaurant and poolside blackjack and craps.

Sean Christie, who operates Blush Nightclub and Society Cafe, will operate both the pool and the nightclub. Wynn Design and Development Executive Vice President Roger Thomas is responsible for the design of both the Encore Beach Club and Surrender.

Hopefully soon, I'll have a chance to see it all for myself and give a better, more accurate assessment of it all. But so far judging from the pics and vids I've seen, I'm liking it. Everything looks so sexy and sumptuous and sensual and oh so luxurious.

I know the design, along with the whole entire pool day club concept, have generated some controversy. But for me, it's all a perfect fit.

Why? Well, why not? Las Vegas is the 24/7 fun party town... Or at least The Strip is. And we're already known for our more notorious pool day clubs Rehab @ Hard Rock. Why not let Wynn & Thomas glam it up with their own fabulous day-into-night luxury party spot? I'm all for it.

Score another WIN for Steve Wynn and Roger Thomas! :-)

Casinos: On the Passing of "Theme Park Casinos"

Casinos may no longer be done like this, but the debate rages on. Were we right in ditching the theme parks for something else?

Hunter at RateVegas posted a photo of TI, and it got me thinking... And arguing.

In the early 1990s, Circus Circus mastered the art of bringing middle class families (with the kids!) to Las Vegas in building Excalibur, and later Luxor. And from there on, the other major casinos were trying to follow suit. MGM Grand originally had a giant theme park (where The Signature towers now stand). Treasure Island was intended to be a place where the kids could explore while the parents gambled. Vegas was a very different town back then.

These '90s theme parks were evidence of the Vegas casinos pursuing the "middle class family" sector that regularly takes trips to the two Orange Counties (California and Florida). That's what all the heavy theming was really all about. The kids wanted somewhere fun, and the parents wanted somewhere for the kids to have fun while they gambled. They were "exotic destinations" that the whole family could supposedly enjoy. But ultimately, the formula didn't work. I couldn't ever imagine Disneyland with a casino.

And by the early 2000s, attitudes were changing. The Strip was becoming "adults only" again. Mandalay Resort Group was already starting the de-theming with Luxor v.1996 and Mandalay Bay. The Palms didn't even go with any type of theme park, opting for a "hip party palace" vibe instead. And after initially flirting with Vegas in the '90s, the family set ultimately stuck with the two Orange Counties while MTV's "Real World: Las Vegas" (FINALLY) made Vegas look attractive to younger crowds.

Let's be honest here. Las Vegas has never really been considered the ideal "family friendly destination", and that's why I think the "theme park casino" concept was doomed from the start. Sure, there are places here in town where the tourists can take the kiddies. Obviously if we can raise kids here year-round, tourists can survive with the kids in tow. However, we'll never be a place like Orange County where families can go from Disneyland to Surf City and keep the kids excited all day.

And you know what? That's OK. We have gambling. We have fine dining. We have shopping. We have great spas. And of course, we have nightclubbing... And now dayclubbing! We're an adult oriented destination, and that's OK.

That's why I honestly don't miss the "theme park casinos" that dominated The Strip in the 1990s. It seemed then like they were pretending to be something they weren't. The casinos were pretending to be "kid-friendly fun zones" when they really just wanted the parents' cash, and Las Vegas was pretending to be another Orange County when we could never really fit that mold.

When I step into Wynn and Encore, it feels like a place where Steve Wynn and Roger Thomas finally had the full freedom to create a unique and luxurious experience. When I step into Aria, it feels like a cool and jazzy place that is really its own place. I even feel very comfortable at Mandalay Bay, as I think Circus Circus/Mandalay Resort Group saw where Steve Wynn was starting to go with Bellagio and taking it further in dropping the heavy theming to instead just provide a classy resort that doesn't have to pretend to be something else (save for perhaps the wave pool/"beach").



For me, it's OK for casinos to just be casinos... OK, maybe not. Still, I appreciate the casino resorts of today that aim higher. Wynn and Encore are a study in "maximalist" postmodern design that simultaneously incorporated the rich history of "Old Vegas" opulence and "New Vegas" chic. CityCenter is what happens when a casino resort complex takes a new direction in incorporating natural elements, contemporary minimalist cool, and the great postmodern art of our time.



So what's wrong with Las Vegas being herself? Especially when we have nothing to be ashamed of? Let's just be ourselves, especially now that we've matured into

Casinos: Wynn Resorts Makes $0.22 Q1 PROFIT, Beats Wall Street Estimates, Shows Improving Vegas & Macau Numbers

This just in from The Wall Street Journal:

The performance shows the Las Vegas market is improving as Wynn's revenue there grew 9.3% and the operating loss narrowed. In the Chinese gambling enclave Macau, profit and revenue climbed 82% and 32%, respectively. [...]

For the latest quarter, Wynn reported a profit of $27 million, or 22 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier loss of $33.8 million, or 30 cents a share. The latest quarter included 4 cents of charges.

Net revenue climbed 23% to $908.9 million.

Analysts estimated earnings of 14 cents on revenue of $849.8 million, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters.

Operating margin rose to 12.6% from 3.7%.

Overall casino revenue, which provided three-quarters of the total, climbed 28%, while food and beverage revenue increased 2%. In Las Vegas, casino revenue grew 19% while non-casino revenue slid 1.4% as hotel revenue declined 8.8% and food and beverage revenue slipped 1%. The occupancy rate edged down to 89.4% from 89.5%.

And there's even more good news in the internals. The Las Vegas ADR was $203. Las Vegas REVPAR was $181. Table game win per unit per day was $6,459. Unfortunately, all of this wasn't enough to prevent a $34.5 million loss for Wynn Las Vegas (including Encore)...

But Macau's earnings more than offset it! Obviously, Wynn's formula for profit these days now includes a heavy dose of Macau action. Growth there is gangbusters, and it's becoming increasingly clear why they're so excited about building Wynn Cotai as early as next year.

So it was Macau that saved Wynn's day in the end... But Vegas is now starting to look better, and Wynn is looking all the better for it.

Casinos: A Sneak Peek at Encore Beach Club

In case you're curious about the new Encore Beach Club set to open Memorial Day weekend at Steve Wynn's latest Vegas megaresort, Hunter has photos for you at Rate Vegas. You just have to take a look at the progress made so far in construction... And the surprises not found in the early renderings!

It looks like there will be water features at the pool after all, including a rather nice fountain the middle of it. The cabanas are also looking quite spacious, like they're set to become "the biggest and best in Vegas" (as Steve Wynn and Roger Thomas wouldn't have it any other way).

All in all, amazing stuff... I can hardly wait to see the finished product next month!

What's the Big Deal About Casino Gambling?

OK, so I get sh*t all the time about it these days. What am I, "Ms. Radical Homosexual Femi-Enviro-Nazi Leftist Socialism-loving Progressive", doing in a state that depends on the "horribly regressive habit" of casino gambling? Aren't casinos supposed to be evil in my book?

Not necessarily.

I was thinking about it this morning when I read Steve Friess' well reasoned Philadelphia Inquirer op-ed in favor of Wynn Resorts' new Philadelphia casino plan. And while I don't really like what I consider the unfortunate "liberal elite" right-wing framing, I otherwise dig what "The Friesster" is saying about the reality of casino gambling today.

But what's really behind the objections is the East Coast liberal elite's instinctive propensity to react badly to gambling. For some reason, the fact that the vast majority of casino-goers have no trouble keeping their spending within reason escapes these critics, who also tend to believe that poor people are stupid, defenseless, and without willpower.

Gambling is regressive, they claim, rarely noting that the lottery already exists in Pennsylvania. Lotteries create no jobs and require no infrastructure or capital investment. Casinos, by contrast, are actual physical spaces focused on customer service.

To play in a casino, one must make an effort to go somewhere and enter a controlled, adults-only environment. Taking a go at the lottery requires nothing more than a trip to the corner store. Even if you buy the notion that poor folks are idiots who are incapable of controlling the urge to bet with their milk money, isn't it better to separate gambling from the places where people actually buy milk?

Casino-goers are suckers, gambling foes always say. And yet, after many years covering the business in Las Vegas, I have yet to meet a patron who is unaware that the odds are against him. Most gamblers expect to lose; if they break even or win, they're pleasantly surprised.

Most players see gambling not as investment, but as entertainment - which is why your Aunt Fern goes to the church for bingo night. Nobody ever suggests people are suckers for spending big bucks at an Eagles game, so why the judgment of folks who define a good time as a few hours at a blackjack table?

The irony of criticisms to the effect that Wynn will create something "cheesy" is that his record of accomplishment in design is the strongest argument in his favor. This is a man batting a thousand in creating places with class and beauty. It's unlikely that he would put his reputation behind something lousy for a quick buck.

As you all know quite well by now, I'm not a fan of Steve Wynn's far right economic theories and political philosophy. However, I do LOVE his casinos... And I do agree that it's unfair to criticize him for "preying after the poor" when he's clearly after a more well-heeled set of customers.

And stepping back to the larger question of casino gambling, I have to object to all the "holier-than-thou" arguments about casinos being thieves and casino-goers being greedy fools. Most players these days know that casino gaming is entertainment, plain and simple. Occasionally I might hear my dad or another visiting family member or a friend complain about "tight slots", but they know they can't make a living off the casinos.

And ultimately, this comes down to the question of free will, consumer choice, and civil liberties. Do we really want to use the force of local, state, and or (gawd, I hope it never comes to this!) federal government to tell people what they are and are not allowed to do on their free time?

I especially find some of these anti-casino cries hypocritical when the same folks don't object to lotteries. Lotteries are gambling, too... But unlike casinos, they don't provide as many jobs and economic opportunities.

But anyway, back to casinos. I'm always irritated when the religious right tries to shove its "moral values" down our thorats in telling us what we can and can not do (determined by how they interpret The Bible). However, I'm equally irritated when I hear progressives try to make the case that gambling is some viral disease that infects people, and we somehow must enforce bans to prevent people from catching it.

Gambling is ultimately a choice. One can choose to play, and one can choose not to. Kids have video games and arcades, and adults have video poker, slot machines, table games, and sports betting. And seriously, what's the difference between those "video games" at Dave & Buster's and casino slot machines? One accepts tickets and offers prizes... While the other accepts tickets and offers prizes.

I guess this is my "libertarian streak" coming out. Whatever. I just don't understand those on the right and the left who want to criminalize fun. And ultimately, that's what we all need to remember about casinos. They're operating to provide a fun experience to players, NOT to offer "free money" or "prey after unknowing victims". It's a business. Period.

And while I don't think it's ultimately smart for Nevada for solely rely upon casinos for financial survival, it's foolish to deny that they're an essential part of our economy that won't be disappearing any time soon. And for other states that are now legalizing casino gaming, all they need to do is look at how we handle gaming in Nevada to realize that it isn't scary, it isn't some "one way ticket to hell", and everyone will be fine.

Casinos: Rumjungle at M-Bay Files for Chapter 11, Encore's Switch Beach Club Pics Leaked, MGM Mirage & Perini Fight Over CityCenter, & Some Good News for MGM Mirage

- Yikes! Things aren't looking pretty at Rumjungle these days. They've filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, claiming that MGM Mirage is trying to drive them out of business. Mandalay Bay just opened its new "eyecandy" lounge near the casino, and Rumjungle is claiming this violates their contract with MGM for Rumjungle to be the only nightclub at Mandalay. However, MGM counters that they owe $1.1 million in unpaid rent.

- Meanwhile, MGM Mirage actually gets some good news today. Malaysian casino operator Genting Malaysia Bhd. is buying another $18 million in MGM debt, which CEO Jim Murren is feeling good about.

- However, MGM Mirage still has to deal with Perini's move to try to impose a lien on CityCenter over $492 million in unpaid construction costs. MGM counters that the $492 million claim isn't accurate and The Harmon's construction defects result in a larger counterclaim for them. This should be a fun one to watch in court.

- Meanwhile on the other end of The Strip, more photos have been leaked for Encore's new Switch Beach Club and Surrender nightclub set to open Memorial Day Weekend. There's now a great debate over whether the club is edgy or trashy. I personally think the pool looks a little dull so far, but I have a feeling the real deal will glam it up some more... Especially since Surrender is looking quite promising!

- And finally, back to MGM Mirage... And what the hell is this??!! Are they actually inviting group orgies (on the cheap) to Luxor? Whoa, nelly! I guess this will be the new place to find a way to get laid FAST... And many times over... And still have some change left over to toss in the penny slots. Go figure. Only in Vegas. :-p

Only in Vegas: Want an Encore Beach Club Job? Come in Your Swimsuit!

Well, at least Wynn Resorts is engaging in a little job creation...

Wynn Resorts announced today that it will be hiring 400 people for a new nightclub and pool complex at Encore Las Vegas.

The resort will be begin accepting applications Saturday for Encore’s new nightclub, Surrender, and the Encore Beach Club. Group interviews will begin on March 11.

Positions will include cocktail servers, bartenders, hosts, promoters, lifeguards, pool attendants, security, as well as other positions.

Wynn Resorts Chairman and Chief Executive Steve Wynn first released the details of the 60,000-square-foot venue during Thursday’s earnings conference call. Wynn said the Encore Beach Club is scheduled to open May 21 but it is unclear when Surrender when open.

The company ripped out the Encore porte-cochere in November to being work on what it called an “entertainment complex.” Wynn said the ornate porte-cochere was built with the idea that projects like El-Ad’s Plaza Hotel and Boyd Gaming’s Echelon would be across the street.

“We turned it into something that will produce revenue,” Wynn said.

This should be interesting. And honestly, I'm at least a little interested in seeing the place when it opens... OK, and this is piquing my interest a little more!

The Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub, debuting Memorial Day weekend, begins accepting applications tomorrow, February 27, for 400 positions. Group interviews will begin March 11. Applicants must apply at wynnjobs.com to be considered. The 60,000-square-foot venue is seeking to hire Las Vegas' finest service personnel for the new entertainment complex at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas.

Positions to be filled at the venue include: model cocktail servers, model bartenders, hosts, promoters, lifeguards, pool attendants, security and more. Model classification candidates are required to interview in swimwear and will be required to present a zed card/headshot upon check-in. All other applicants should come in a fitted t-shirt or tank top. [Emphasis mine.]

Hey, this is still "Sin City"! People here like their LUST.

It's just too bad for Las Vegas that the best way to get a job these days is to sport six-pack abs... Or is it? (When is this place opening, again?) ;-)

Casinos: Wynn Resorts Loses $0.04 Per Share in Q4, Misses Wall Street Expectations, Prepares for Expansion in Macau & Philly

So Wynn's earnings are now in, and it's looking more like a mixed bag that Wall Street isn't too enthusiastic about.

Wynn Resorts, a Las Vegas-based casino operator run by billionaire Steve Wynn, has had a tougher time getting luxury customers to pay top dollar for trips and entertainment at its high-end resorts in Las Vegas.

But strong results in Macau, the Chinese gambling enclave, helped offset losses in Sin City, and the company's profit and revenue beat analyst expectations.

Here's a summary of Wynn Resorts' fourth-quarter results for 2009 compared with the same quarter a year earlier:

- NET REVENUE: $809.3 million, up from $614.3 million in fourth quarter 2008

- NET LOSS: $5.2 million, smaller than the $159.6 million loss a year earlier.

- CASINO REVENUE: $591.8 million, up from $455.9 million

- HOTEL REVENUE: $92.7 million, up from $75 million

- FOOD AND BEVERAGE REVENUE: $106.1 million, up from $83.1 million

- OPERATING COSTS: $763.8 million, up from $614.6 million

- LONG-TERM DEBT: $3.6 billion

- FULL-YEAR NET INCOME: $20.7 million, down from $210.5 million in 2008.

Apparently the revenue numbers beat Wall Street estimates, but earnings did not. Oh, and Steve Wynn is still not in a patriotic mood. He's still trashing President Obama here while praising the Communist regime in China.

Steve Wynn said he's not optimistic about Las Vegas until the economy improves for working Americans -- and for companies that book meetings in Sin City.

''I'm afraid to say that I think the outlook for 2010 is very conservative,'' he said. ''I don't see any major change in the future. I don't see it getting worse per se, but I do think that unless there is some signal from Washington that they can control the deficits, that not only Las Vegas but the country faces dire problems.''

Excluding one-time items, Wynn Resorts earned $10.3 million, or 8 cents per share, for the fourth quarter, which ended Dec. 31. Analysts forecast profit of 7 cents per share.

Its net revenue was $809.3 million, compared with $614.3 million a year earlier. Analysts expected revenue of $785 million.

Wynn's revenue per available room, a key metric for lodging companies, was $233 in Macau, 2.9 percent less than a year earlier. In Las Vegas, it was $178, which was 20.6 percent less than in the fourth quarter of 2008.

The company's quarterly operating income of $89 million in China's gambling enclave, Macau, made up for operating losses of $56.7 million in Las Vegas.

''We're more of a Chinese company than American company today as we're having this call,'' Wynn said. ''I love it. Thank God for being outside the United States today. There isn't an executive in the world that isn't thrilled about being outside the United States today.''

HUH??!! Again, Steve Wynn just doesn't get politics... Or for that matter, macroeconomics. Deficits don't matter if people are still without jobs!

Whatever... Back to Wynn Resorts' earnings report.

So Wynn is planing on Encore Macau opening in April. And so far, Wynn Resorts remains very bullish on its prospects in China.

Oh, and we now have more details on the planned Wynn project in Philadelphia. It will be a Wynn branded casino. However, it will NOT include a hotel. It will be targeting mostly customers/gamblers in the greater Philly area, so it's looking like Wynn's planning on more of a "locals' casino" for Philly than a real destination resort a la Wynn/Encore Las Vegas or Wynn/Encore Macau. And supposedly, we'll hear even more details of the Philly project later.

So what can we conclude from this? Wynn's Las Vegas operations are slowly improving and moving back toward a regular profit, but it's not quite there yet. And if it weren't for Wynn's Chinese operations, its situation would be much worse.

And Harrah's turned a profit last quarter that no one else, not even Wynn, could match.

Betting on Michelin Stars: Daniel Boulud, One More Time

Hidden inside the fabulous and glamorous Wynn Las Vegas casino resort is a very special French Brasserie... A brasserie that we only have a limited amount of time to visit before it closes its doors for good. Come with me and check out why Daniel Boulud is a "Vegas must eat" from now until April.





Step into Wynn. Take Parasol Down to The Lake of Dreams. Turn right, and you'll see it. This is the place.





I had to go here on Monday, and I had to take my father with me. I was on a mission to make a believer out of him. He was skeptical at first, as he's not really one for "fussified, dressed up French food". However, I think I was finally successful this week!

He really enjoyed everything from the salad to the Sonoma Chicken with winter veggies to the passion fruit sorbet. In fact, he declared this to be his new favorite Las Vegas restaurant!







Meanwhile, I loved the cheese plate. These very special cheeses were paired beautifully with fruit jellies and breads.

And the DB Flatbread? Drop dead delicious! The caramelized onions and the chevre were paired together so delectably here! (Yes, the vegetarian options are a bit limited here... But the ones available are so delicious you'll stop being angry upon taking the first bite!)











Oh, and how could I ever forget that chocolate souffle? I felt like I died and ascended to Chocoholic Heaven, if only for a few minutes! The strong chocolate flavor of the souffle was so enticing, and the texture was really just right. The parsnip creme anglaise was just the perfect topping here.

Oh yes, and one more thing. The Lake of Dreams does a fun video show every 30 minutes nightly. Do take a look and sing along with the singing frog or wonder how those dancing balls are choreographed so perfectly. Is it hokey? Admittingly, yes... But come on, it's Vegas! Have a little fun with it.

And have fun at Daniel Boulud while you can. Again, this place will be gone for good come April. Take at least one more time to realize why even the harshest Michelin critics were won over by this simple yet elegant cuisine.

Betting on Michelin Stars: That's What You Get for Waking up in Vegas!

Yes, this song still haunts me. No really, we hear it everywhere here. But in this case, I guess Katy Perry really is right...

That's what you get for waking up in Vegas!

So what do you get for waking up in Vegas? Well, you get some great choices for breakfast. Let me explain on all your mouthwatering choices for starting the day off right in "Sin City".

Society: The Classy Way to Start One's Day













Tucked away in a corner in the fabulous Encore at Wynn Las Vegas is Society Cafe. Chef Kim Canteenwalla presides over this lovely little "casual cafe cum upscale comfort food given a major makeover" joint and cooks quite the tasty breakfast. Start off with some freshly squeezed and organic fruit juice while you peruse the menu and make those tough decisions.

The omelette or the frittata? The "XL Sticky Bun" or the buckwheat pancakes? Decisions, decisions!

My favorite is the Frosted Flake (coated) French Toast with caramelized bananas, chocolate cream, and organic maple syrup. It may sound like "sugar overload", but just give it a taste... And you'll see why it's become my "breakfast of champions".

First Food & Bar: Oh So Hipster, But Oh So Satisfying











OK, so you're hungover and you just stumbled out of bed totally drunk, dazed, and confused. What to do? Trust Chef Sammy DeMarco to wake you up gently and "just the right way" at First Food & Bar at The Palazzo.

Just look at this breakfast menu! How can you say no to freshly baked donuts? You just can't!

One also can't resist a good ol' fashioned 'shroom omelette with goat cheese. I knew I couldn't, so I ordered one... With a cup of fresh fruit salad and a wedge of bread pudding. Everything tasted great, especially that omelette full of tangy cheese and juicy mushrooms!

And since I was there for Sunday Brunch, I only had to pay $7 extra to make it a "Champagne Brunch" with a bottle of nice California bubbly. Isn't that sweet!

When Simon Says "Brunch", Just Do It!



















Now speaking of Sunday Brunch, there's one place that absolutely can't be missed for the best fresh plates, best made to order "buffet" variety, and best drinks to cure (or is that add to?) the hangover. Yes, my dears, I'm talking about Simon at Palms Place!

"Celebrity Chef" Kerry Simon was out to make "food that makes a statement" when he opened his namesake restaurant at The Palms' new "condotel" tower, and he's certainly achieved it so far with his much celebrated Sunday Brunch. Utilizing the best seasonal and organic ingredients, his culinary team has turned simple brunch fare into something quite extraordinary.

Start with a saunter over to the bar for a good bellini or bloody mary ($7-8 extra for unlimited booze), then stop and admire the freshly baked pastries... And start devouring those bear claws and beignets! It's OK, you're in Vegas now so you're supposed to commit some sin!

Once you're done gorging off the pastry baskets, try something lighter. Have the sushi chef make you a divine avocado roll that's spicy yet still creamy and refreshing. Or perhaps, have the panini chef make you a panino with fig jam and bleu cheese that's simultaneously sweeet, tangy, savory, tart, and oh so yummy!

Oh, and don't leave without ordering off the menu. It's included in the $38 "admission fare". My favorite so far is the Frosted Flake (coated) Brioche French Toast paired with fresh blueberries and raspberries, then topped with organic maple syrup. If there's one french toast that can give Society's a real competition, it's this one!

So I hope this helps. Whenever you wake up in Vegas, remember these places for breakfast/brunch. This will make you want to wake up in Vegas more often. Trust me. ;-)

Society Cafe
@ Encore at Wynn Las Vegas
3131 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 248-3463
http://www.encorelasvegas.com/site.cfm#/dining/societycafe/

First Food & Bar
@ The Palazzo
3327 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 607-3478
www.firstfoodandbar.com

Simon Restaurant & Lounge
@ Palms Place
4381 W Flamingo Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 944-3292
http://www.simonatpalmsplace.com/

My Two Fave Casinos Are Honored by Forbes

Congratulations to our newest absolutely fabulous luxury resorts!

The Forbes Travel Guide, formerly known as the Mobil Travel Guide, unveiled its four- and five-star recipients for its first-edition travel guides. The brand transfer from Mobil to Forbes was announced earlier this fall.

Forbes awarded five stars to 14 new properties nationwide, two of which are in Las Vegas.

The latest additions in the lodging category include the Tower Suites at Encore Las Vegas for the five-star listing and the M Resort and Encore Las Vegas for the four-star listing.

Hooray for Encore & The M! I stayed at BOTH places earlier this year when I was buying my condo, and I really think both deserve their respective stars.

Encore may now be the most luxe resort on The Strip. The "standard" resort suite I stayed in was HUGE at over 700 square feet, and they are beautifully appointed with great amenities! I felt like royalty staying there, and that's how one is supposed to feel when one stays at a five star resort.

Meanwhile here in Henderson, The M is new favorite "locals' casino" because it really feels like anything but with all the luxury I expect at the top Strip resorts... But without all the pretentiousness and much more comfort. My room here was pretty large at over 550 square feet, and honestly the room looked just as luxurious as my suite at Encore.

(Btw, I have pics of both hotels at my Photobucket. I'll post some here later).

Even if I don't always agree with Steve Wynn's politics and even if I think Tony Marnell is missing a major opportunity with "Top Chef", I still enjoy both casinos and I hope both will show the way forward in "New Vegas". One need not skimp on the luxury so long as one provides real luxury and real value.

Can Garth Brooks Save Las Vegas?

That seems to be what we're all asking now after today's big announcement. Garth Brooks really is coming to Vegas!

Eight years after trading in his Stetson and pop music superstardom for domestic life raising his three young daughters, Garth Brooks, the biggest-selling solo performer of all time, has decided to dust off that hat and come out of retirement -- but only on weekends.

Brooks announced Thursday afternoon that he'll start a series of solo acoustic concerts in the 1,500-seat Encore Theater at the Wynn casino and resort in Las Vegas as part of a multimillion-dollar deal with Steve Wynn, the hotel's billionaire developer.

"Steve started talking about this kind of show, just Garth and a guitar, because he said he thought it was something people ought to see," Brooks said. "I said he couldn't afford me. I was wrong."

The schedule will see Brooks play one show on Friday, two on Saturday and one on Sunday. The first show will be Dec. 11; tickets for the first five sets of weekend performances will go on sale Oct. 24.

And already, excitement is building. Garth's fans are ecstatic. Local country fans are giddy. Oh yeah, and casino execs are jumping for joy!

Las Vegas hoteliers must be uncorking champagne bottles today: Country superstar Garth Brooks announced that he's coming out of retirement to do an extended show at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, according to the Associated Press.

Brooks, 47, made the announcement, confirming music industry rumors, at a press conference in Nashville earlier today. He had retired in 2000 to spend more time with his three children, the AP story says. He's mostly stayed out of the limelight, though he performed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the kickoff concert for Pres. Barack Obama's inauguration.

Brooks is a huge name that could draw new crowds to Las Vegas, which has been hit hard by the travel downturn. He passed Elvis Presley to become the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history in 2007. At the time, he'd sold more than 123 million albums, according to the AP. He last released an album in 2001, called Scarecrow, the story says.

To say that we've been "hit hard" is an understatement. As I said earlier this week, we're in need of some miracles. Perhaps Brooks' return to Las Vegas will be one of them.

After all, Garth Brooks is the best selling contemporary artist around. Wynn and Encore will benefit from all the new customers. And since I'm sure not all of Garth's fans will be able to stay at The Wynn Compound, other casinos will also benefit from all these new Vegas customers.

But will they be able to afford to travel? Will they gamble? Will they eat at Okada and Sinatra? Will they party at XS and Blush?

I guess time will ultimately tell how much Garth fans will spend at Wynn, Encore, and the rest of Las Vegas. But without a doubt, all these new visitors can't hurt. And ultimately a combination of this, City Center's opening, the casino expansions still in progress, and whatever becomes of Fontainebleau (just as long as the damned thing opens!) can really help in bringing economic recovery to Southern Nevada.

While I'm admittingly not a huge country person myself, Garth Brooks is one of those artists who does connect to me. I may be tempted to buy one of those $125 tickets myself. And hopefully if more folks are thinking what I'm thinking, this is a good sign for Sin City. ;-)

Why Steve Wynn Doesn't Make a Good Politician

Sorry, but he doesn't. Yes, he runs two beautiful casinos on The Strip. Yes, I love to visit them, gamble in them, and dine at the wonderful restaurants in them. Yes, Wynn runs a very LGBT-friendly company and I thank him for that. However, he just doesn't get what's going on in Washington.

Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn today used the forum of a telephone conference call about his company's quarterly finances to criticize President Obama.

Critical of the current presidential administration for months, Wynn, chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts, voiced more criticism today in a conference call to investors, analysts and reporters.

“Right now we are more afraid of Washington than we are of the economy. We’ve got people on our backs saying don’t go to Las Vegas which is preposterous,” Wynn said. “People are beginning to ignore some of this bombastic rhetoric from the White House and that’s encouraging.” [...]

“We’ve got the government on our back. Not just Las Vegas but all business. There’s a very definite bias in this administration that business is bad,” Wynn said. “I don’t know how long it’s going to take for them to get over this but it’s awful.” [...]

“In America, we have a government that has decided anybody who creates jobs must be bad; that the job creators must have a target on their back. What a remarkable misunderstanding,” Wynn said. “That’s not the case in Macau and it’s not the case in The People’s Republic of China and maybe we can all learn a lesson on what happens there.”

Wynn was also critical of President Obama’s health care proposal, calling the plan a “train wreck.”

Excuse me, but... HUH??!! First off, need we still talk about President Obama's critique of Wall Street bailouts gone amok from last February? That speech was NOT saying "don't go to Las Vegas", but rather telling corporate executives to stop wasting our tax dollars on their pleasure trips to wherever! I'm sorry, but I'd rather have my tax money be spent on our health care and our economic recovery than giving some stupid, overpaid MBA jocks "play money" to waste at The Palazzo.

And really, does Steve Wynn want to be US President? What are his ideas for tackling corporate corruption (which was what that Obama speech was really about) or getting health care reform passed?

Now don't get me wrong, President Obama has irritated me at times for being overly conciliatory with Republicans and "Blue Dog" Democrats(?) and allowing Wall Street to continue pillaging our Treasury as they whine about how we can't "afford health care". However, I'd still take him any day over someone who messes with card dealers' tips while claiming that he can't afford to pay them all fair wages.

I really don't know if Steve Wynn is deliberately trying to mislead people or if he's so distraught over his new divorce from Elaine that he can't think clearly. Whatever it is, he needs to think twice before putting his foot in his mouth (again!). I really wish Wynn can focus on what he does best, which is running fine Vegas casinos, because he obviously doesn't know much about politics.