What a week, huh? President Ronald Reagan was a lot of things to a lot people during and now after his lifetime. I remember one occasion that took place in Las Vegas that I was slightly (very slightly) involved with. I believe it was when the President was running for re-election and made an appearance at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
I was working for Robert Goulet at the time. Robert had been asked to perform at the special fund raiser and rally. I forget (senior moment you know) exactly what he was asked to sing. Vera Goulet, Robert and I arrived at the rear of the convention center and were greeted warmly by the usual politicians. Soon, Vera and I were told the President would be arriving shortly and we were to be escorted to our seats (which were second row by the way). It was a wonderful speech and I do remember that, and naturally he went on to be re-elected. Well (as he would say) that is not the whole of this story. Robert stayed back stage of course awaiting his cue to go on stage. As he latter told us (his wife and me) the huge doors opened up and in drove this big black limo. That's when all these guys popped up from everywhere (secret service). The limo stopped, the door opened and out stepped the President of the United States. He spotted me... smiled and walked over and shook my hand and said How are you Robert? It was a very special moment, Goulet added. For a few seconds it was just two guys standing alone (the agents of course were there) in this cavernous area shaking hands. Wow, what a moment! Of course Goulet has entertained for a number of Presidents during his lustrous career.
Tonight (Friday) our village will bestow its biggest honor to the President. At precisely 9 pm. the outdoor lights at the various hotels along the Strip and downtown will go dark for three minutes. Even the big light in the sky at the Luxor will be shut down. As best I can remember this tribute has only been done a few times: John F. Kennedy was the first (I was not here then) followed by a similar tribute to Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and I believe Dean Martin. There was another time or two but I'm just not thinking to clearly as I write this.
Spent a wonderful two days and a night in Mesquite this week and as usual stayed at the Casa Blanca Hotel & Casino. What a change this little city has taken over the years. I can remember (here we go again) when it was a two lane (sometimes three) lane highway you traveled to get there. There were just a couple of gas stations and I believe one little casino. Went there to participate in a Chamber of Commerce sponsored off-road race. So, this had to be in the mid 70's when I owned a dune buggy and VW repair shop (I was racing full-time during those years) in North Las Vegas. Make a long story short, we had a ball.
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But geeze it's now definitely a destination location for a lot of people, especially us Las Vegans who want to unwind. A lot of us go up there to relax and play golf. The rest of us go to get babied for a day by having a massage. That's what I do. I spend almost the whole day in their hot mineral water pool (you have to be a guest and signed up for a massage), drink a lot of juice (complimentary) and lay in the sun catching a few rays. But the best is the massage. I especially like the Hot Stone treatment and massage which lasts 1 1/2 hours. My travel companion (good ex-wife Cathy) had the one hour Swedish massage which is fabulous. If you have the time and want to spend a real thrifty two days and one night, have a massage, etc., then head for Mesquite. Oh, yeah, and the gourmet room at the hotel is as good as any (well darn near) in Las Vegas. And, gang, the price is right!
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: A good buddy and a wonderful entertainer, Bill Acosta opens at the SunCoast Hotel & Casino this coming Friday (June 18). Ive written about this guy so many times you would think were related (honest Bill we aren't). Anyhow, was talking to him and his wife (and manager) Jeanne Bavaro the other day and they said the show has been really revamped. We're adding a couple new songs (he'll sing as Acosta) and a special melody along with a couple new routines (voices), Jeanne said. Show time will be 7:30 pm...
Another friend is a young man by the name of Michael Cagle, who has been struggling a little in our village to get discovered since arriving here a little over a year ago. He's worked here and there and been there and done that if you understand what I'm saying. Anyhow he will now be hosting a Karaoke night at the Stardust Hotel beginning tonight (Friday). The hotel is throwing $200.00 into the pot for the Best Female and Male singer ($50.00 each) of the night, plus a random drawing for $100.00. It starts at 6 pm and will shut down at 10 pm. There is also a television show in the works for this talented guy. And, he promised me there will be NO Favoritism shown to anyone. I hope so! So you Karaoke singers give it a try and let me know what happened?...
Stop by and take a look at the Michael Conti show in the Le Bistro Theatre at the Riviera Hotel. His Visions of a King (Elvis) is really a great little show and deserves a large crowd, which I am sure will happen. Show times are 10 pm. Thursday and Friday, 7 pm. Saturday and 8:30 pm. Sunday and tickets are only $24.95 plus tax and fee (whatever that is)...
We Will Rock You is definitely on the fast track for opening at Paris Las Vegas. Auditions are underway and we understand everyone is pretty well locked into the various leads. The show will feature 25 musical selections form the Queens greatest hits which of course include Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are The Champions, Another One Bites The Dust and Crazy Little Thing Called Love. The show has played to huge crowds ever since it opened in London in May 2002. Should be a sure-fire winner for the Caesars group, which of course owns the hotel...
Well, gang that's about it for another week. I'm outa here!
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