360 Vegas

As told by Tony and Rum.  

Audio is provided for your convenience, but for the best experience, please watch the video at https://youtu.be/WasXRpdSZzA Our immense gratitude to Michael Movestro for video and audio production, and to Michael Trager of TravelZork for helping us put on the event.

It was said that people would rebuild their buildings to accommodate the biggest sign they could afford.  That’s how important signage was, or how important it is.  Las Vegas was the only town in the world whose skyline was made up of signs.  So big, they were the first thing you’d see from a mile away.  YESCO, Heath, Federal, Ad Art and SSI are just some of the names responsible for bringing those iconic signs to life and by doing so caused one element to be more important in the hearts of so many…NEON.   

Please register at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/TravelZork/_360Vegas   Saturday, October 18, 6 pm - 9 pm Horseshoe, Las Vegas Conference Room “Palace 3” Resort Tower Ground Floor Premium Cash Bar at the event No Outside Food or beverages allowed No food served at the event (Eat beforehand!) Dress code is “Come As You Are” No formal wear is expected Please wear what you would normally wear in Vegas!   Sunday, October 19, noon - ? Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Vesper Bar Come and join us for a drink and some laughs Again, dress code is “Come As You Are” No formal wear is expected Please wear what you would normally wear in Vegas!  

News:  Updates on the Celebration of Life Saturday, September 13th First Congregational UCC Conneaut 211 Buffalo St, Conneaut OH 44030 2pm - 5pm Important: No alcohol allowed in the church. Dress code is whatever you’re comfortable in. Saturday & Sunday - October 18th & 19th Las Vegas - Still working on the details. A special announcement will be made in the podcast feed. Saturday the 18th - Will be a gathering in a private room / ballroom, most likely on the Strip Time will be either 5-8 or 6-9 Allow for people to travel in on Saturday morning Dress code is whatever you’re comfortable in. Sunday the 19th - Informal meet up at a bar somewhere on the Strip.   Time and location TBD - earlier in the day Upload Photos for Mark Memories Listeners are gathering photos of Mark to make memorial videos for the Celebration of Life events. https://juliemoore.smugmug.com/upload/rSkFKx/MarkVegasUploads

Josh drinks excessively and attempts to tell us the story of one of the pioneering names in Vegas history.  

Random Vegas In the more than 14 years of 360 Vegas, there were 537 episodes published, as well as 39 Vintage Vegas Segments, 186 YouTube videos, 43 POV Segments, 78 Reviews, 15 Vegas Vacation meetups, and a freaking book. That’s a hell of a legacy. TwitPic of the week #TwitpicForMark on Twitter In honor of Mark, folks have been posting beautiful shots of Vegas using the hashtag TwitPic for Mark on Twitter this last week. Please don’t stop. These images are unique shots of the City, angles from within the casino and other views we simply take for granted while in a booze fueled state of mind. So many times we’re so excited to get from one place to the other, we fail to slow down and take in the imagery along the way. Thank you for the TwitpicForMark tags and share your favorite view of the City Mark so deeply loved. News What has happened to Mark The Future of the 360 Vegas Podcast Charities for Donations in Mark’s Name: Ronald McDonald House of Las Vegas (https://rmhlv.org/donate-online/ ) - We have supported Ronald McDonald House as a favorite charity for years. The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation (https://www.ryanlichtsangbipolarfoundation.org/memorial-tribute/ ) - The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation focuses on the detection of bipolar disorder, and then provides resources and creative outlets for those who suffer from bipolar disorder. Neon Museum of Las Vegas - Sign Conservation Fund (https://secure.neonmuseum.org/donate/q/sign-conservation-fund ) - The Neon Museum is the ultimate resource of Vegas history, which was Mark’s passion. Celebration of Life Services: September 13, Conneaut, OH. Saturday afternoon. Exact times and location TBA October 18 - 19, Las Vegas. Exact times and location TBA. 360 Vegas Live is still happening, August 23, 12 noon Pacific, 3 pm Eastern. www.youtube.com/360Vegaspodcast

Random Vegas 1992 is when Circus Circus opened their bungee jump experience with a 201 foot tower. Jumpers paid $100 to drop 171 feet almost into a swimming pool. The attraction closed in 2005 TwitPic of the week I don’t know how they did it but I love it. This week’s winner by @SCVegas is a photo of the W tower at Mandalay Bay while it was still known as Delano, the Luxor Pyramid, Excalibur Castle and NYNY, all in one photo. It’s a stunner showcasing just how diverse the options are south strip. It’s interesting that the people who originally experienced these themed properties when they were embracing the theme concept are the same people wishing Vegas properties would reembrace theming. Unfortunately Murrenzation will all but guarantee this will never happen as it costs money to be unique. News Electric Mushroom Slotapalooza 2025

Random Vegas The Circus Circus sky shuttle was the first automated transit system in Las Vegas built 23 years before the monorail. It was decommissioned mainly due to high maintenance costs and because it did not go to the airport (LasVegasLocally) TwitPic of the week She is known by some as the dirty bird but thanks to photoshop she looks like a gem in the desert, shared by @flamingovegas. The property, shot from what can only be a drone to get such an angle, glows pink and looks elegant. Again, what photoshop can do boggles the mind. Say what you will about the Flamingo, the oldest operating casino in Las Vegas deserves respect of outlasting all her peers.  Stardust, Frontier, Desert Inn, Sands, Dunes, Tropicana and many, many more can’t say the same thing. News ·       360 Vegas Live ·       Reward Points vs Tier Points

Random Vegas At one time, Golden Nugget made more money than all the casinos on Fremont St combined (Vital Vegas) TwitPic of the week It’s an elegant photo taken during 360 Vegas Vacation 15 shared by @360vegasjaydubs and answering the question, what’s in a pyramid. In this case, the artium level of the property is prominently featured showcasing Play Playground, Diablos and all the attractions on property.  It’s one of the pictures that I knew was a winner the moment I saw it and yet I find myself struggling to find the words to explain how beautiful I think it is. Maybe that says more than words. News Market Recalibration

Random Vegas July 2nd is a popular date to open a casino, just before the 4th of July weekend crowd comes in. In Vegas history, 5 properties have opened on July 2nd.  They are the Stardust which opened in 1958, International, best known as the Hilton but currently known as Westgate, opened in 1969, Plaza opened in 1971, Holiday Casino, known today as Harrah’s, opened in 1972 and Sundance, known today as the D, opened in 1980. (Vegas_Visual) TwitPic of the week She may have been a dud in reality but the Landmark was still a looker, shared by@las_when. Incorrectly said to be inspired by the Jetson’s cartoon home, the Landmark project was designed several years before the start of that show. Some say it was inspired by the space needle in Seattle but in truth, the two were designed around the same time so any similarities are most likely coincidental. The Landmark is another one of those properties that lives on idyllically in people’s minds, a Vegas legend. News Best Lobby Bars View and Drinks Bottled Blonde

Random Vegas The Sarno Block was actually a large brick formed of two half-ovals which could be stacked to make a modern latticework screen. It made the resort’s night façade glow evenly, smoothing over the chaos of dark and lit rooms behind it. (The strip) TwitPic of the week Sometimes the stars align, or in this case, the sun, the moon and the High Roller. A beautiful picture shared by @lasvegaslocally found a picture that summarizes what it’s like to go to a 360 Vegas Vacation. It really is like a family reunion with people you want to spend time with. As the sun rises, so do the good times only had at a 360 Vegas Vacation. When will you join us? Sat – Pre Game ·       5 pm - Nevada Brew works/Soul Belly BBQ Sunday, June 22 ·       4 pm - Meet & Greet @Downtown Grand ·       6 pm - Group Gaming @Downtown Grand Monday, June 23 ·       1 pm - Play Playground @Luxor ·       6 pm - 360 Family Meet and Greet @Centra Bar @Luxor o   VegasNearMe o   Stripwalking o   Pennys4Vegas o   You Can Bet on That o   Bettor Life ·       Skyfall Lounge at Mandalay Bay Tuesday, June 24 ·       8 am - 360 Vegas Exercise Experience w/@RaisingLasVegas RSVP ·       1 pm - 360 Vegas Cocktails @Luxor ·       7 pm - Swingers Club @Mandalay Bay RSVP ·       Skyfall Lounge @Manadalay Bay

Random Vegas  June 3rd, 1976, “Tokes”, tip money given to dealers by players, is considered taxable income that must be reported on tax returns, says a US court of appeals  TwitPic of the week  Here is another part of Vegas I never knew, the neon signs of west Fremont St pre-Vegas Vicky and Las Vegas Club renovation. The angle captures the Las Vegas Club, Jackpot arcade, the Mint, the horseshoe and the Fremont all stacked on top on one another, visually speaking. As usually, the vivid colors of the signage light up the night sky unlike any other source of lighting. Thanks to @FSELV for sharing it.  News Content Creator Wars First Impression

Random Vegas  60,000 pounds of shrimp are consumed in Vegas every day.  That’s higher than the rest of the United States combined.  TwitPic of the week  The caption read “Nothing is the same” and I tried to challenge that but @Vegas_Visual is right. In this week’s winner, taking in 1991, a view from the front of the Mirage looking south and everything in this picture is different now. No more Mirage, Nob Hill to the left is now Casino Royal, next up is Harrah’s back when it had a boat motif. Beyond that is Imperial Palace known today at the LINQ and in the distance, you can still see the Diamond of the Dunes hotel tower. Even the top of the Caesars marquee is different.  But most missed is the Mirage frontage and its dolphin statues. While I am looking forward to the guitar I will miss the volcano News Plaza All-inclusive Deal The Bettor Life w/360

Random Vegas The last scheduled train to Las Vegas was May 12th, 1997 (Vegas_Visual) TwitPic of the week Whoever took this picture, shared by @historyNevada knew exactly what they were doing. A photograph of the iconic Sands tower under construction with the Sands marquee captured in the foreground. The two icons side by side, the only thing better would have been if it was in color. Black and white normally makes everything look very classic but with Vegas and all that neon, color photos are the only real way to experience the destination. News 360 Vegas Vacation 15 Fremont Street Concert Series Additions            Ebike ban on the strip Taxi Revolution

What constitutes a Vegas resort?  We have to go to the original, universally agreed to be the first resort on the strip, the El Rancho.  Small casinos, nightclubs and motels existed on highway 91 before the El Rancho opened,  but it was the combination of a hotel/motel and a casino on property that made it a Vegas resort.  It’s with this template that we have created the definitive order for Las Vegas resorts and their evolution on the strip. 

Random Vegas In 1985, Wet n’ Wild opened a 27 acre water park on the strip just south of Sahara. It closed in 2004 TwitPic of the week It’s the same sign that won last week with just a different perspective, shared by@Summacorp. The infamous Stardust marquee in all her glory, 188 feet tall, the tallest in the world for a time. It somehow sums up Vegas with the image. The only sign more recognizable to Vegas is the Welcome sign News Caesars Renovations Circa 2 MGM Developments

Random Vegas  The MGM Grand was built in 1993 on top of the existing 714 room Marina hotel which was built in 1975 (@vegas_only)  TwitPic of the week   It’s a tattoo worthy sign of Las Vegas’ past up close and interrupting your line of site. @summacorp shared The Stardust shower of stars marquee, up close. Only in Vegas did Texaco photo bomb this guy. But still, that sign with her Electra Jag font. I’m not sure what is more magical, seeing the sign up close or from far away. Either way this looker is definitely on the list of tattoos I’m considering having.  News Elaine Wynn Passes

Patreon Exclusive Content It’s a Vegas icon, even to this day.  The Sands presided over the golden age of Las Vegas, both in entertainment and in the zeitgeist.  When you think of cool you think of the Rat Pack at the Sands.  It’s a Vegas legend that actually only lasted a month but the legend lived on far beyond the run of shows.  And yet with all her history she wasn’t able to keep up with the competition and had to be imploded to make way for the future.  But no matter how successful her new incarnation is she will never equal the mythic status achieved by the Sands. If your interested in learning more about the Sands, check out the book At The Sands 

Random Vegas People in India believe if you don’t place a wager during the Diwali Holiday, you will be reincarnated as a Donkey. TwitPic of the week Unique views is always the way to our hearts when it comes to Twitpic of the Week.  This time its apparently how Vegas shuts down roads for events like New Years and the Rock and Roll Marathon.  But more than that, we get the magic of reflection. Since this photo was taken at night from the overpass crossing Flamingo Rd, we catch a glimpse of the properties lit up behind the photographer.  Specifically we see the reflections of Caesars Palace and Bellagio. It makes it look like, if you were looking east of the strip at Las Vegas Blvd and Flamingo, Caesars Palace is behind Cromwell and Bellagio is next door to Horseshoe. Unintended consequences once again makes art. We celebrate that with this selection, shared by @LasVegasLocally News Wynn 20th Anniversary