Filed under: Events | Tags: Cityspoon.com, Coupons, deal, deals, Events, garage sale, history, Las Vegas, penthouse suite, Sahara, Sale, The Sahara Hotel and Casino, Vegas History
After the horror stories of what was the first day of the Grand Liquidation at the Sahara. I decided the second day wouldn’t be so bad. I have heard people waiting from 2.5-4.5 hours just to get in and be a picker for a huge day of savings and a piece of Las Vegas History. The truth of the matter is: Everything was for sale.
Driving through from the Cityspoon offices wasn’t bad. I was ushered up the garage and parked at the third floor. Waiting for an elevator that never came. So after a small heel toe express ride, you follow the signs to the front of the hotel and you wait. It wasn’t bad. I would say 20 minutes. You get ushered in and sure enough $10 admission. But wait, you get a tiny Sahara shot glass and a torn luggage tag you wear like you’re going to a club wristband.
When you get in, you wait again to get orientation. I didn’t realize there was an instructional seminar. I heard “sale” and “deal” and I went. So was it a sale or deals? Not sure about that. Walking through the Casino had this empty and eerie silence. Sure there were people there shopping, but without the sounds of the machines, it was kind of eerie. Plus being able to walk through the back of the house without being stopped by security was definitely an experience.
The smallwares were right in front of the cage. Stemware and glassware were $1-$2 and it was quaint and “not a deal.” Silverware was a $1 apiece and also not a deal. I didn’t find the deals I was expecting. Those are things I can find at AAA Restaurant Supply for brand new or better. Anything with “Sahara” on it had a higher price point. Like the Casino logo chairs were $95. Again…not a deal. Some back of the house stuff were priced ok, I guess if you’re a collector or you’re buying for a restaurant or bar, the sales aren’t bad. But the thing I wanted was a mirror for $28 but I realized I didn’t need it. For me to resell it wasn’t worth it.
I think in time yes it would be worth it. But I didn’t want to pay admission and if you bought something there’s a 10% buyer fee…like tax. To me, an average consumer…I could get different deals from other places. But there’s nothing like buying a piece of Las Vegas history. I got my shotglass and I’m happy.
Filed under: CitySpoon | Tags: Car Accident, Cityspoon, Drinking, Driving, Events, family, Friends, Jackass, Johnny Knoxville, Local, Ryan Dunn, TMZ
34 year old Ryan Dunn died in a car crash in Pennsylvania early Monday morning. Many of you know Ryan from Jackass The Movie along with the MTV Series Jackass.
Prior to the crash, Dunn posted a photo to Twitter, that shows him drinking with friends. 
An unidentified passenger also died in the crash. TMZ reported Dunn was the driver of the car and the story is still developing.
Twitter has been overrun by the subject of Ryan Dunn and his death the past few hours. It’s also followed by the trend of drunk driving and people who are victims or have lost people in accidents.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan Dunn and his family as well as the entire Jackass family. He will be missed.
Cake rocked the house Friday at Cosmopolitan Las Vegas. If, by chance, you have been sleeping under a rock, Cosmo’s Boulevard Pool has been hosting a series of concerts. Lauren Hill, Robyn, and Mumford and Sons have all recently graced the sexy venue with their presence. Cake took their performance to a whole new level performing decades of hits including “the Distance.”
New and old fans showed up to support the “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” band. The older crowd dawned Tommy Bahama’s finest, the younger, Forever 21’s worst (see photo below). It must be stated, however, that all parties in attendance were loving the night.
City Spoon’s Erin Garza spoke with Cake Bassist Xan McCurdy prior to the show…
City Spoon: Why did it take so long to make a studio album?
Xan McCurdy: The album took a long time because we were settling into our studio situation. We all put gear into a house and tried to learn how to be studio engineers. We’re slow. We treated it like a day job but we are democratic. We let everyone’s ideas really get heard. At the end of the day, everyone felt like at least they were heard.
CS: The studio you recorded in is “green.”
XM: Yeah, it’s green. We try to offset the wreckage of diesel bus fuel and airplane fuel day after day. It’s pretty rough.
CS: What’s the most difficult part about touring?
XM: For the other guys, they have children. I don’t. They miss out on those moments. For me, I like touring. I like touring and seeing new places. It’s enjoyable. Touring has gotten better over the years. Food has gotten better! That’s the main thing. Because, when you’re on tour everyday and your food is a mystery, that get’s a little bunk.
CS: Is Cake planning on getting involved in the relief efforts of Joplin, MO.?
XM: I can’t tell you exactly what is it is but we are figuring out what we can do.
CS: What is your favorite song to play live?
XM: “Mustache Man.” I like that it’s kind of fat booty bass line and drum beat but with meat heady rock
and guitar. If I had a dream band it might be something like AC/DC meets James Brown.
CS: What’s your favorite thing about playing Vegas?
XM: It’s always interesting to just marvel at the crazy over-the-topness that’s happening. My biological mother actually lives in Las Vegas. I haven’t partied in Vegas since I was 22.
CS: You are known for having loyal fans, who are you a loyal fan of?
XM: I’m a loyal fan of a band called The Bees out of London. You should check them out.
Filed under: CitySpoon | Tags: Arts District, artwalk, Cityspoon, Events, First Friday, Las Vegas, Nickhole Arcade, pomona, tattoos
Recently I took a trip to Pomona to visit one of my favorite friends and Tattoo Artist Nickhole Arcade and it was a complete suprise. Growing up in LA the one thing I knew Pomona for was the LA County Fair. I never realized what kind of scene that city has. She tattoos at a Tattoo Shop called Ink’d Chronicles. But that’s a whole different story.
The real story is the town of Pomona. Just 3 hours away from our home base in Las Vegas. Pomona was incorporated in 1888. It has a rich past and exciting future where at times we don’t expect to find these gems glistening if you don’t stop to take in the sights. What was exciting was pulling into town and seeing all the people out and about, not all dressed up just being themselves. Music all around. Arts and culture everywhere. That’s what drew me to love this city. What really gets me too are all the antique shops. I wish we had the time to go to every one. Arg. Another time.
Pomona’s got this great Artwalk that we were fortunate enough to check out. It occurs every second Saturday of the month. It’s just like Las Vegas’ First Friday.
The moral of this story is: Don’t count out the diamonds in the rough. I can’t wait to have cityspoon.com there.
~myke
CITYSPOON 