Whoever said that it was too hot in August to visit Las Vegas was in error unless you planned alot of outdoor activites, then they were absolutely correct - they keep the air conditioning in hotel/casinos and most public places so cool that one would almost feel comfortable in a light jacket. The flight (US AIR) was smooth and on time, arriving in time to catch breakfast in the Orleans and check into our room. The room was furnished with the dark furniture that really updated the decor considerably. After checking in and settling down, we decided to venture over to the Gold Coast to check out the "new re-arrangement" of things. The Jazz Band had been moved into a much larger and nicer location - HOWEVER- it was out of the way so much that people entering the hotel/casino would not even know they were there. This was a big disappointment not only to the band members but also to us. We really enjoy their music. The Arriva (Italian restaurant) has completely disappeared, and the Monterrey room (cafe) has been "intergrated" with the buffet. The Cortez Room was re-located into the area vacated by Arriva, and the area vacated by the band is slated to be a TGI Fridays later this year. All in all, we liked the old layout of things much better than the new. We dined in the new Cortez Room and it was definately nice to note that the quality of food and service had not changed, and the new location was well patronized. Day 1 really gets to us due to jet lag, so it was back to the Orleans for "early bed time" and to prepare for tomorrow - busy day. Day #2 will be several days late due to a family situation but it WILL BE posted. Wendell & Maxine

Day 2: Started with breakfast in the French Market Buffet and then on to Main Street Station downtown. I coordinated our annual meet with the Food and Market manager and it is set for Tuesday, November 25th in the Restaurant/Brew Pub of Main Sreet Station, 1 to 3:30 p.m. - so come one, come all!!After this, we proceeded to do some shopping and picked up 2009 calendars for Xmas mailing. It was then back to the Orleans and my favorite "hot tub". That afternoon, it was over to Harrahs for their buffet - this has to be one of the better buffets with all types of food offered - we both had seafood, mainly shrimp. Afterward, it was over to Caesars for "Cher". We both thought her performance was outstanding although "abit pricey"! She looked as pretty as ever and more like her thirties rather than early sixties. Get this - the programs for her performance ran $40.00 each. The people behind us bought one - and said they would put it on "time share". When 4000 people leave that theater all at once, it is a might crowded and the taxi line stretches almost to LV Blvd. We by-passed the long line and crossed the street to Bills Gambling Hall, stepped right into a taxi and was off to the Orleans to call it a day. End day 2!!

Day 3: Started with breakfast as usual in the Orleans. After that, we caught the shuttle over to Bills and into Ballys and caught the monorail down to the Hilton for another "Star Trek Experience". It was interesting to note that the change coming out of the ticket machines for the monorail are $1.00 gold coins. (Great for souviner shoppers). The Star Trek Experience is slated to CLOSE September 1st - so if anyone wishes to catch it before closing, I suggest you hurry. This has always been one of our favorite "experiences", especially noting the expressions on peoples faces after the "Klingon dogfifght". We heard a "rumor" that Star Trek is to be replaced by Michael Jackson. We hope that this is just a rumor - personnally, I had rather see Star Trek remain in place. That evening was spent at the Imperial Palace with "Legends in concert". This is always a treat because you always receive different impersonations of the celebrities hence always a different show. The particular star of this show was the individual impersonating Jay Leno who MC'd the show all the way thru. Also interesting are the folks you meet at the table you are seated with. We really enjoyed this one and afterward, it was back to the Orleans and end of day #3.

Wendell, we also saw Cher a couple of weeks back. Did the show start on time? She was 1/2 hour late the night we saw her and the audience let it be known.

We paid $145 per ticket. The best seats down front were $250.

I was not impressed with her show. Too much like Cirque and too many stage departures to change costumes.

I wrote her a short note and suggested that she depart the stage each time in some unique way .... some kind of ultra swift magic departure. This could have easily been performed when she entered that gypsy "tent" to change her costumes and with the money she's getting, she could pay to have some unique and swift disappearances/reapperances swift enough to not make it another typical magic show.

BUT still, I'm one of those fans who seriously believes that singers should be heard and not seen.

PS... I think that these major shows on the Strip will learn a lot from the opening and closing Olympic performances. Let's see if they grab the ball and ....

Will: We thourghly enjoyed her performance and did not think that costume changes interfered with her performance. I really do enjoy her singing and noted that alot of her songs were on her CD. We did think that her show was abit overpriced - especially her programs - whoever heard of a program costing forty bucks? We think that the best Cirque show is LOVE at the Mirage. Sorry you did not enjoy her performance as much as we did - as for the late start - have you noticed that alot of shows do this especially if customers are still being seated? Best Regards: Wendell and Maxine

Day 4: Day #4 started with a surprise wake-up call from JMT who was in the lobby waiting to have breakfast with us. (Thanks Joe) We immediately got ourselves together and joined JMT for breakfast in the French Market Buffet. After a good breakfast and good conversation, we each parted ways, Joe to work and Maxine and I to the Casino for little Megabucks and slot play - to no avail. That afternoon, it was over to Planet Hollywood for the Wes Winters show. (a musical tribute to Liberace). For those of you who enjoy a good piano, this guy is good and he also sings great. AND, it is priced right. As this is an afternoon show, it can very well fit into one's schedule. That evening, we dined with JMT at "Josettes" - a French Bistro on Flamingo. Entertainment was by Lena Prima and the piano player from the Jazz Band at the Gold Coast - a great combo. They were later joined by "Tony" who sang with them and sounded almost like Louie Prima. His and Lena's rendition of "That old black magic" sounded just like Louie Prima and Keely Smith. This really made for a great evening, however; yours truly started to feeling poorly and JMT graciously returned us to the hotel. Thanks Joe. This really marked the last activity for this trip, however; I did manage to invite Lena Prima to our annual Thanksgiving meet - She said that she would attend IF she were in town. END DAY #4.

Day #5: Day #5 is going home day and the check-out and cab rideto McCarran went smoothly. AFTERTHOUGHTS: The crowds in hotels/casinos were plentyful as were the crowds along the Strip - they certainally did not reflect the gloom and doom attitude of our economy. Contruction projects were plentyful and so numerous that you would not know what is going up where unless you lived there. (Construction had come to a halt on several projects due to economic problems - but I predict that this will only be temporary) We missed the double decker bus ride at night to be entertained and enjoy the lights on the Strip. (I have this one earmarked for our November Trip) Hope to see "a bunch of you guys" at our Thanksgiving Meet. Best Regards: Wendell and Maxine.

Thank You Wendell. I had a great time with you and Maxine. It's always a pleasure. Lena and Dan and Josette and Kari will be happy to know that you are feeling better. I told them how tough you were. After I got back to Josette's, Kari sang with Lena. That was very nice.

I agree with you about the doom and gloom of the strip. If people are staying home and not coming to town, I don't see it. The casinos are still full, the restaurants are still full, the sidewalks are full, and construction is everywhere.

If you come back out in a couple of weeks there will be an Italian Festival going on called the San Gennaro Feast. I won't pretend be an Italian or Catholic, but I have been to this festival a few times and it is ALWAYS fun. There are carnival rides for the kids, arts and crafts for all, and about half of the place is nothing but area restaurants cooking up their best Italian food. The focal point though is the stage where you get a wonderful dose of Italian music. Tony Sacca is the entertainment director for the festival and sings alot. Lena was the Grand Lady of the festival last year and will be singing. Plus many others. It is a week of solid entertainment.

JMT; The Festival sounds like alot of fun and if we were there, we definately would attend.

wendell- a busy trip for you again in vegas,always a fun trip report from you.schedules do not work out this year for thanksgiving,maybe next year.i will be in town oct.18,19,20,21 that's a sat thru tues trip.i could not resist the 200rt air and 25 a nite southpoint rooms.

Wendell - WOW - what a busy trip you had! Cher, Legends in Concert, Star Trek Experience, Lena Prima, Wes Winters - you and Maxine certainly packed in a lot in those 5 days! I also saw Cher and loved the show (my trip report will be appearing soon). I've seen Wes Winters in the past at the Liberace Museum - he's a great entertainer. I'm glad that he's getting more recognition at the Planet Hollywood.

I'll look forward to seeing you and Maxine at Thanksgiving time!

Mike: Thanks - we are looking forward to your Trip Report and seeing everyone Thanksgiving. Wendell & Maxine

Wendell,

What a close miss on our trips.

You always seem to get your 'regular' stuff done and add a few more adventures to each trip.

I'm jealous that you got to see Star Trek one more time. I had planned on it but never got to most of teh stuff I had planned.

Thanks for teh report and Hi to your bride!

Senator: There is more to the city of LV than I usually have time to partake - what a facinating place -I informed a taxi driver that I know of no other place on the planet that equals it. The construction going on there is absolutely mind boggling, mskes you wonder how it is all going to turn out - hope to see you (and Patti) Thanksgiving. Wendell

I'm jealous too that you got to go to the star trek experience one more time, even though I was right outside the place in May. My last "experience" was November and at the time I knew I was saying goodbye to the ride. Ah well, you bring out the geek in us by reminding us of the place

I do wonder what's going to happen to all those props in the "museum of the future."

Did you see the gal doing Dusty Springfield at your Legends show? There are always a lot of British staying at the IP, and when I saw "Dusty" in May they were going wild for her, she won the role by competing in a BBC tv show for impersonators. So she was a real star to the Brits in attendance!

Thanks for the report, Wendell and Maxine!

Kes: Thanks for the comments - hope to see you, David, and Lou Thanksgiving????

Hey, Wendell

Not looking good for November. We have a major commitment, Mom's 75th (and, no she won't fly to Vegas to celebrate. I think she only flies to see relatives)

But please tell me - did you see the Dusty Springfield impersonator in the Legends show?

Wendell,
One thing I can say is, "Maxine and Wendell dosent't let any grass grow under thier feet"!
Your schedule in Las vegas was a lot fuller then mine has been of late.
I think Lena is just good people. I enjoy her performances, but isn't it nice just to share time with nice people? I won't be out again untill our November trip, I hope Lena is not only intown, but I hope she's appearing someplace! I'll leave it up to JMT to keep us informed on that.
Thanks for a GREAT trip report. Sorry it took so long for me to get to this one.

Kes: No, we did not see Dusty Springfield and was sorry to hear you guys would not make it Thanksgiving - was looking forward to another Thanksgiving dinner with Kes, David,and Lou. LEE; Sharing time with nice people is one of the highlights of our trips, and we are looking forward to doing just that Thanksgiving. Lena is indeed nice people and very nice to listen to. I invited her to our Thanksgiving meet and she said if she was in town, she would be there. As you said, Joe will keep us informed on that, and we are looking forward to seeing you, Sandy, and Sharon, SO, see ya then. Wendell & Maxine

Lena has a lot of Florida plans in Nov and Dec.