Went out to have dinner at one of my favorite watering holes, a very classy Italian Bistro owned by an extremely nice couple recently’ and guess what? Lorraine and Dennis (Lorraine Hunt and Dennis Bono) were having dinner too. Of course, I’m speaking of the Bootlegger Bistro out on Las Vegas Blvd. One of the first questions asked of Bono was when is his weekly variety show going to return to the South Point? He replied that he had no idea. So that cut that part of the conversation. I mentioned that we (Curt Thompson, an old buddy back in the Mint Hotel day) were interested in watching the late show.
I have to tell ya, gang, both of us ordered the Veal Piccata and we were well served with two delicious dinners. I’ve been going to the bootlegger at least once a month since I first landed in Las Vega, and I’ve never had a bad meal in all that time. The veal is fabulous in any fashion you desire, as I’ve tried them all over the years.
The late show is performed by two very professionally qualified musicians—Bucky Heard and his partner with the beautiful guitar, John Wedemeyer. As we were dining George Bugatti was hitting the ivory notes and singing a few Sinatra and Dean Martin songs as is usual for this personable piano entertainer. I consider George one of the best single entertainers in our little village!
I had watched Bucky play before but not by himself. You may recognize the name of a pioneering pop group called the “The Righteous Brothers?” Well, as you may know (hopefully) Bill Medley (the original founder) decided back in March 2016 to bring the act back to Vegas and Harrahs Las Vegas signed the deal. I, along with all the media from Vegas to New York and all points west, north, or south were in the audience opening night to Listen to the man who was replacing the original sidekick, Bobby Hatfield who had passed away on Nov. 5, 2003.
Bucky Heard was the man Medley had picked. And this is hard to say, but man when they did some of those songs they were so well known for, tunes like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’“, “Unchained Meledy” or “You’re My Soul,” well you just knew “The Righteous Brothers” were back in full force.
And, gang, should you like to hear those tunes and other “Brother’ songs make your way out to the Bootlegger on a Friday or Saturday evening (call first), treat yourself to a great dinner, and sit back and listen. Bucky and John are there from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. Heard is really a fun guy and they do take requests. I think the Bootlegger brings back that good old feelin’ of days long ago. You can’t go wrong on this deal that’s for darn sure!
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:
Rail Explorers Las Vegas, the year-round, all-ages, outdoor-adventure attraction featuring pedal-powered rail bikes, offers guests new summer tours, including the Sunrise Ramble, Southwest Summer Soaker, Twilight Summer Ramble and Neon Lights Night Tour. All summer tours begin June 1.
The Sunrise Ramble offers breathtaking views of a desert sunrise in the cooler hours of the day with complimentary mimosas, coffee, and assorted pastries, while the Southwest Summer Soaker offers an optional chance to cool off with a surprise water spray-down by Rail Explorers staff along the tracks. For visitors wishing to ride the rails later in the day, the Twilight Summer Ramble includes picturesque views as the sun fades behind the Black Mountains and, for the truly late-night crowd, the Neon Lights Night Tour lights up the night as each rail bike is lit up in neon. Guests are encouraged to bring their best black light attire and glow sticks.
Guests pedal the Rail Explorers rail bikes four miles downhill from the Nevada State Railroad Museum to the Railroad Pass picnic area, where they may relax in the signature red Adirondack chairs. Each experience concludes with a ride aboard a historic train back to the tour’s starting point. This all starts on June 1 and goes through August with various times for the special events. Check the website for more info. Book online today at www.railexplorers.net, or by phone at (877) 833-8588.
In celebration of National Bike Month in May, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is teaming up with local and national partners to launch a bike share loyalty program, offer annual and reduced fare pass options, a safety campaign, and a new multimodal app upgrade to encourage and promote cycling throughout Southern Nevada. For all RTC National Bike Month program information and fares, visit rtcsnv.com/bikemonth.
The RTC launched a first-of-its-kind combined mobility service via Transit app providing customers the opportunity to purchase transit and bike share passes with a single Transit account. This feature fully integrates both services in a single app allowing customers to purchase a transit pass and unlock a bike with just a few taps.
“We are proud to be the first transit agency in the United States to fully integrate both bike share and transit passes in a single app,” said MJ Maynard, RTC Chief Executive Officer. “Providing this additional multimodal option is just another way we are meeting our community’s evolving transportation needs.”
“This collaboration is the result of a public transit agency forging a new path for the future of transportation,” said Jake Sion, Chief Operating Officer at Transit. “Nevadans are getting mobility at the press of a button in Transit.”
By merging transit and bike share into a unified experience with Transit app, the RTC makes it easy and convenient for residents and visitors to experience Southern Nevada without driving. Customers can download the free Transit app, enter their payment information, and activate any transit or bike share pass instantly. The RTC is also introducing new bike share pass options. In addition to the existing $5 daily and $15 monthly passes, a new annual pass for $125 is now available to riders. And thanks in part to grant funding from the Southern Nevada Health District, half price monthly and annual passes are available to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cardholders.
As a thank you to its devoted riders, the RTC launched a bike share loyalty program, Bikecentives, which provides complimentary limited edition cycling gear to riders each time they reach 50, 150, and 300 rides in a calendar year.
In addition to the new fare payment option and rewards program, the RTC continues its commitment to safety and has partnered with the Southern Nevada Bicycle Coalition (SNVBC) to promote its Ride Safe: Know Before You Go campaign throughout the month. The educational program identifies five critical points of gear and behavior for cyclists to keep top-of-mind: Protect Your Head, Be Visible, Choose Safe Routes, Be Predictable, Ride Defensively.
Show mom she’s the top with a special dinner at Top of The World restaurant at this Mother’s Day from 4 – 11 p.m. on Friday, May 7 through Sunday, May 9.
Top of the World, The STRAT’s award-winning restaurant with 360 degree rotating views, will treat moms to specialty menu selections including petit king crab and lobster BLT rolls, served with bacon-infused aioli, lemon and confit tomatoes; crisp arugula salad, served with balsamic onions, strawberries, spiced pistachios and whipped mozzarella; Mediterranean roasted chicken pasta, served with light tomato basil cream, basil oil and parmesan crisps; and ruby orange glazed sea bass, served with ginger sweet potatoes and honey roasted bok choy. Dessert options will include strawberry lemonade cake, served with sweet lemon sponge, strawberry lemonade jam and light strawberry frosting. Top of the World’s à la carte menu will also be available.
A Golden Entertainment, Inc. casino, The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod has implemented broad safety measures in accordance with the company’s “Golden Commitment” standards. These measures include sanitation protocols at every touch point, from the casino and restaurants to the elevators and rooms. A full outline of the “Golden Commitment” standards is available at https://goldenent.com/commitment.html. Reservations for Top of the World may be made online or by calling 702.380.7711. Complimentary parking and valet are always available at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod.
Arizona Charlie’s Decatur, located at 740 S. Decatur Blvd. and Arizona Charlie’s Boulder, located at 4575 Boulder Hwy., will celebrate all moms with a featured, three-course dinner at Sourdough Café, plus a bingo gift on Sunday, May 9.
From 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sourdough Café, located at both Arizona Charlie’s Decatur and Boulder, will offer a three-course meal which will include the choice of steak Diane or grilled salmon, served with potatoes and vegetables; soup, house salad or Caesar salad; and strawberry cheesecake for dessert, priced at $18.
Beginning with the 9 a.m. bingo session, all True Rewards bingo players with a $10 minimum buy-in will receive a pearl charm bracelet gift. Guests are limited to one gift per person, while supplies last. Pink carnations will also be handed out to moms on the casino floor throughout the day. Golden Entertainment, Inc. casinos, Arizona Charlie’s, have implemented broad safety measures in accordance with the company’s “Golden Commitment” standards. More information is available by calling 702.258.5200 or 702.951.9000; or by visiting www.arizonacharliesdecatur.com or www.arizonacharliesboulder.com.
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, the gorgeous ladies of FANTASY at Luxor Hotel and Casino will gift a lucky audience member with a complimentary fiesta-themed basket Wednesday, May 5. To celebrate the holiday, FANTASY headliner and lead vocalist, Lorena Peril, will perform a special song inspired by traditional Mexican culture. All audience members will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a basket packed with gifts from the cast, including Jose Quervo tequila, a ready-to-drink margarita bottle, shot glasses, FANTASY-themed playing cards, poker chips and more. During the fiery performance, a randomly selected winner will be chosen and can pick up the basket after the show. The winner of the gift basket must be at least 21 or older to receive the prize.
Following the Cinco de Mayo celebration, FANTASY will offer extra shows at the end of May. Due to a recent run of sold-out shows, FANTASY will add additional shows, performing at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Monday, May 17 – Saturday, May 22 and Monday, May 31.
FANTASY shows are scheduled nightly at 10:30 p.m. at the Luxor Theater, plus a second show at 8 p.m. every Sunday. Tickets are available for purchase at the Luxor box office, online at fantasyluxor.com or by calling 702.262.4400.
Well, gang, see you around town as there is an awful lot going on.
I’m outa here!