If there were one act I wished would return to Las Vegas, it would be Matt Goss.

My Review:

“Why haven’t we seen him before tonight?”

That was the question from my darling wife, Miss Debbie. To be honest, being star-struck after the first song, I didn’t have a very good answer for her.

I think it goes back to why I founded this website all those years ago. For almost a decade, the usual suspects in the Las Vegas press called him “Amazing,” a “Must-See,” and “Old Vegas meets the new cool.” Frankly, when local media throw around praise like that, it usually just means they had a great time at the media night open bar. I figured he couldn’t possibly be that good.

I was wrong. The answer is: Oh hell yes, he is.

I can honestly say I witnessed the second coming of Sinatra—with a heavy dash of modern cool and genuine hip. To put it another way: if Frank Sinatra were to reincarnate today, he’d come back as Matt Goss. The best part? All that talent is unleashed inside 1 OAK Nightclub at The Mirage. For all the identity issues that venue has had, it provides a remarkably intimate atmosphere. No matter where you sit, you’re up close and personal, capturing that legendary Rat Pack era vibe.

He Really Is “Vegas Cool”

Yes, I’ve used the word “cool” twice already, but it fits. Mix Sinatra’s swagger and buttery vocals with modern rhythms, wrap it in the dashing charm of a Sean Connery-era James Bond, and you start to get the picture. That’s Mr. Matt Goss.

A Performer Who Truly Appreciates the Audience

We’ve all seen casino headliners pause to tell the audience how “thankful” they are to be there. Most of the time, it sounds like they’re reading a script taped to the stage floor. You get none of that corporate stiffness from Matt Goss. The man drips sincerity and authenticity.

Despite selling out stadiums across Europe and moving millions of records, he stands on that Vegas stage and makes sure you know he genuinely values your time. Then, he launches into another phenomenal track backed by his Gold Diggers dancers, soulful backup singers, and a tight 5-piece live band whose members have toured with him worldwide.

For those who don’t know his history, Matt was the lead singer of the massively successful late-’80s UK pop band Bros, alongside his twin brother Luke on drums (they landed 11 Top 40 singles and sold out arenas around the globe). He has the pedigree, the credentials, and the showmanship to back up every bit of the hype.

And if all that doesn’t get you in the mood, his goombah in the back of the house, Big Joe, will make sure you get there! (If you go, you’ll understand the reference—and I hope Big Joe does, too!)

• Get Matt Goss Music on Amazon

Watch this video, and you will understand.

Matt Goss – Lovely Las Vegas

Between Black Hat USA taking over Mandalay Bay and DEF CON 34 rolling into the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Strip is officially packed with the sharpest, most clever, and most chaotic cybersecurity minds on the planet.

If you suddenly get a notification that your checking account balance is $0, your smartwatch starts aggressively demanding a ransom in Crypto, and your smart hotel room door has locked you out—don’t panic. It’s just the DEF CON crowd doing a little “light research.”

While most of these folks are ethical “white hats” here to improve global security, hacker summer camp is famous for its rogue access points, experimental Bluetooth exploits, and automated prankery. If your device emits a signal, someone nearby may interpret it as an invitation.

If you’d like to leave Nevada with your bank account, your identity, and your sanity intact, here is your essential Las Vegas Hacker Week Survival Guide.

The Practical Tourist Survival Guide

• Turn Everything OFF: We mean everything. Disable Wi-Fi, turn off Bluetooth, and shut down your mobile hotspot the second you hit the Strip. Leaving Bluetooth on in a casino corridor during DEF CON is the digital equivalent of wearing a “Kick Me” sign written in code.
• Treat Public Wi-Fi Like Biohazardous Waste: Never, under any circumstances, connect to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks at Harry Reid Airport, your resort, or the local coffee shop this week. That innocent-looking “Free Hotel Guest Wi-Fi” network? It might actually be running off a hacker’s backpack sitting two tables away, vacuuming up every password you type.
• Go Old School with Cash and RFID: Cash is king in Vegas anyway, but this week it’s a security protocol. If you prefer to swipe, slip your credit cards and contactless IDs into RFID-blocking sleeves. Evil twin card readers and long-range scanners thrive in crowded corridors.
• Ignore Random Prompts and Pop-Ups: If your iPhone suddenly gets an unexpected AirDrop request offering a photo of a cat, do not accept it. If your phone pops up with a random Bluetooth pairing request while you’re standing in line for a buffet, hit deny and keep walking. Curiosity didn’t just kill the cat—it compromised the cat’s operating system.

Keep those credit cards close, put your phone in airplane mode whenever possible, and enjoy the show, folks. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas—unless it gets broadcast over an unsecured airwave!

Instead, it became one of the most stable constitutional frameworks on the planet.

The “Great American Experiment” is a fascinating concept because, when you look at the raw data of history, it truly is an anomaly. When the U.S. Constitution went into effect in 1789, the idea of a large-scale, self-governing republic was widely expected to fail. Most European monarchs assumed the young nation would tear itself apart or collapse into tyranny within a few generations.

Instead, it became one of the most stable constitutional frameworks on the planet.

To understand how it has outlasted so many others, it helps to look at the numbers and the structural mechanics that keep it running.

How Unique Is This Longevity?

To put it into perspective, look at how many times other major nations have fundamentally changed or completely reset their systems of government since the U.S. Constitution went into effect in 1789:

The Secret to “Outlasting”

Why has it survived while so many others fractured? Historians generally point to a paradox built into the system: it is incredibly rigid, yet intentionally flexible.

• The Amendment Process: The Founders knew they couldn’t predict the future. By allowing the Constitution to be amended (which has happened 27 times), the framework could adapt to massive cultural and technological shifts without needing a full revolution to change the rules.
• Separation of Powers: By dividing control among the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches, the system makes it intentionally difficult for any single leader or faction to completely dismantle the government overnight.
• The Federal System: Giving individual states a massive amount of local governing power acts as a pressure valve, allowing different regions to experiment with laws without fracturing the entire nation.

It has been tested by a brutal Civil War, world wars, economic collapses, and deep political divisions, yet the underlying blueprint has held together longer than almost anyone in 1789 expected.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Don’t ask how it happened! Let’s just say that it was a series of unfortunate circumstances and an overly tired webmaster pushing too many buttons too late at night, and not watching what he was pushing. Suddenly… “POOF,” it’s all gone…..

So now trying to rebuild what was here. So far, not much, but we will repost what we can!

We Will Be back soon.

Until Then, Follow The Vegas Tourist on Facebook

Thank you for your attention.
Mark Anthony

The big news today was that Tillman Fertitta bought Caesars, debt and all. This tidbit of news set the Vegas blogosphere on fire as all the “Vegas experts” quickly jumped online to give their doom-and-gloom projections. They’re already claiming the deal is dead on arrival and bad for the Las Vegas tourism economy—arguing that Tillman’s luck has finally run out, or that he’s in over his head just trying to play with the big boys on the Strip.

Knowing the players involved, knowing Caesars’ history over the last two decades, and seeing exactly what Tillman has built here during that same time, I see it differently. This could be the deal that will change Las Vegas tourism for the better.

If I’m right, his $17.6 billion deal will look like an absolute steal when the dust settles, and the future for the average Vegas tourist will be bright and shiny again. Tillman knows exactly what he is doing. He’s ten steps ahead of everyone else on this. Like all great dealmakers, he ignores the naysayers and media pundits and social media warriors and plows ahead like a man on a mission.

Look at the track record. He came into town in 2005, bought the Golden Nugget, and broke almost every unwritten rule of casino ownership in the book. He got his hands slapped, and his pocketbook dinged pretty heavily in the process. But he learned his lessons well. Taking what he learned back then has already made him millions, and it’s going to make him billions once the ink dries on this one.

My prediction is that he will break up the monopoly. Sell off the older, smaller properties to other operators that don’t have the letters MGM in their name.

Selling off the smaller, older properties will help pay off some of that debt he took on. Breaking up the monopoly and bringing in new owners will benefit Las Vegas tourism and tourists.

In the end, in my opinion, Vegas is going to be a hell of a lot better off with him at the table.

Tillman in Las Vegas

Owns the Golden Nugget

Bought and demolished Hawaiian Marketplace.
Built BLVD Shopping Center in its place. That’s where the largest In-N-Out restaurant recently opened.

He was going to build a boutique hotel on the corner, next to the shopping center, but put that on hold. Instead, the market dipped slightly, and he got a good deal on some Wynn stock through a company buyback program. His total Wynn holding is 13 million, roughly a 12.3 percent stake.is now their largest single shareholder.

Fertitta is a cousin of Red Rock Resorts executives Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta. Red Rock Resorts is the largest “locals” casino chain. The Fertitta brothers also created the UFC brand.

The Story is True.
I just asked AI to make it a bit more dramatic!

The afternoon sun beat down on the black asphalt as the north-south traffic held the green light, a steady river of steel and rubber flowing through the intersection. On the opposing street, a sleek, autonomous Zoox vehicle patiently waited for its moment, poised to merge onto Russell Road. The coast was clear, an inviting gap in the ongoing stream. With quiet confidence, the Zoox began its maneuver, inching forward, ready to claim its place.

But then, a shadow emerged from the opposite direction. A pickup truck, impatient and bold, began its left turn. With a guttural roar of its engine, it surged forward, aiming to cut off the unassuming Zoox, a blatant attempt to assert dominance. The autonomous vehicle, however, remained unperturbed, its sensors calmly processing the unfolding drama. It held its ground, a silent sentinel refusing to yield.

The instant the aggressive pickup truck committed to its obstructive path, creating a narrow opening beside it, the Zoox sprang into action. With a smooth, almost imperceptible acceleration, it glided into the adjacent lane, elegantly slipping past the thwarted truck and establishing its position at the front of the queue. A silent victory, a testament to its precise and unwavering control in the face of brazen human impatience.

Here is my version:

I was at an intersection earlier today, waiting for the green light to go west on Russell.

North-south traffic had the green lights. A Zook was preparing to turn into the traffic onto Russell. It had an open shot and started to pull out when a pickup truck making a left-hand turn from the opposite direction gunned to get in front of it and block it off. The Zoox did not move.

The moment the Pickup moved up enough, the Zoox pulled into the open lane next to the truck and got in front of it.

I actually cheered for the Zoox…

Any thoughts? Comments??

Mark Anthony
The Vegas Tourist

In all my years of tour guiding, ’ve seen every documentary out there. Recently, I found one by Jacob O’Neal at Animagraffs that finally shows the dam at a human scale. It’s not just a video; it’s a 3D digital autopsy of the project. Even experienced Hoover Dam fanatics and guides are amazed at what they learned from this video.

With the Hoover Dam, he includes the one thing no other documentary or video could ever do before. He shows us everything at a human scale. Currently sitting at over 4 million views with thousands of comments from people in awe of what they just watched. After watching it, I think you will agree that this is the best one ever made.

Grab some popcorn, put on some comfortable headphones, and settle back to be amazed.

.

Click Here to Book a Hoover Dam Tour

Tourist Tip: Keep backup copies of all your travel documents and identification online. Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive offer free, secure, and easy-to-use online storage.

While most visitors experience the Strip’s magic without incident, the sheer volume of people creates opportunities for pickpockets and petty thieves. And here in Las Vegas, we have some of the best in the business!

Staying vigilant and taking simple proactive measures is crucial to ensuring your valuables remain safe. Here are ten essential tips to help you avoid becoming a victim:

1. Minimize What You Carry:

The simplest way to protect your belongings is to carry as little as possible. Before heading out, assess what you truly need. Leave unnecessary credit cards, identification documents, and large sums of cash in your hotel safe. Opt for a single credit card, a small amount of cash, and a photocopy of your passport or driver’s license.

• Tip: Consider using a hotel safe for valuables. If you must carry cash, divide it into smaller amounts and store them in different pockets or secure locations.
  
  I know, all the fear-mongering blogs tell you not to use your hotel room safe. However, your chance of having the safe robbed by the maid is much less than your chance of being robbed walking on the Strip. Or get a lockable bag like this.

2. Utilize Secure Bags and Wallets:

Your choice of bag and wallet can significantly impact your pickpocketing vulnerability.

• Crossbody Bags: These are far more secure than shoulder bags or backpacks. Ensure the strap is sturdy and the bag is worn across your body, with the clasp facing forward.
• Money Belts/Waist Packs: These are worn under your clothing and provide an extra layer of security. Ensure the belt is comfortable and inconspicuous.
• RFID-Blocking Wallets: These wallets protect your credit cards and identification from electronic skimming, a common tactic used by modern pickpockets.
• If you need to carry a backpack, lock the zippers
• Avoid carrying valuable items in your back pockets or easily accessible external pockets. Invest in a bag with zippers and secure closures.

3. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings:

Vigilance is your first line of defense. Pay attention to the people around you, and be wary of anyone acting suspiciously.

• Avoid Distractions: Limit your smartphone and other device use while walking, as this can make you an easy target.
• Be Mindful of Crowds: Crowded areas, especially near attractions or performances, are prime locations for pickpockets. Maintain a safe distance from others and be aware of anyone bumping into you.
• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, remove yourself from the situation.
• Tip: If you see a distraction, like someone dropping something or a small commotion, be extra aware, as these are sometimes used to distract people while others pickpocket.

4. Be Cautious in Tourist Hotspots:

The Las Vegas Strip is a tourist mecca, and pickpockets are well aware of this. Be especially cautious in crowded areas like:

• Bellagio Fountains: The crowds gathering for the fountain show offer ample opportunities for pickpockets.
• High Roller Observation Wheel: The lines and close proximity of people make this a potential target.
• Street Performers and Photo Opportunities: While enjoying the entertainment, be mindful of your belongings.
• Tip: Be extra cautious in narrow walkways and areas where people tend to stop and congregate.

5. Avoid Carrying Large Sums of Cash:

Carrying a lot of cash makes you a prime target. Use credit or debit cards whenever possible.

• Use ATMs Wisely: If you must use an ATM, choose one located in a well-lit, secure area, such as inside a casino or hotel. Be aware of anyone loitering nearby.
• Consider Prepaid Cards: Load a prepaid card with a limited amount of cash for daily expenses.
• Get familiar with your smartphone payment apps. Like Google Cash or Samsung Wallet. And use them whenever possible.
• Tip: If you are traveling from outside of the United States, let your bank know so they do not block your card when used in Las Vegas.

6. Keep Your Belongings Close and Secure:

Never leave your belongings unattended, even for a moment.

• Hold Your Bag Securely: Keep your bag in front of you and hold it tightly.
• Don’t Hang Bags on Chairs: Never hang your bag on the back of a chair or place it on the floor.
• Be Mindful of Your Pockets: Ensure your pockets are zipped or buttoned.
• Tip: When sitting at a table, place your bag on your lap or between your feet.

7. Be Wary of “Friendly” Strangers:

Pickpockets often use distraction techniques to divert your attention. Be wary of anyone who approaches you with an overly friendly or helpful demeanor.

• Avoid Unsolicited Offers: Be cautious of anyone offering to take your picture, give you directions, or sell you something.
• Be Skeptical of “Accidental” Spills: If someone spills something on you, be wary of their attempts to help you clean it up. This is a common tactic used to distract you while they steal your belongings.
• Tip: If someone is being overly friendly or distracting, politely decline their assistance and move away.

8. Stay Alert During Transportation:

Whether you’re taking a taxi, rideshare, or public transportation, be mindful of your belongings.

• Keep Your Bag with You: Don’t leave your bag in the back of a taxi or rideshare.
• Secure Your Belongings on Public Transportation: Keep your bag close and be aware of your surroundings.
• Tip: Be aware of who is around you when you are entering and exiting transportation.

9. Be Cautious in Nighttime Crowds:

The Strip’s nightlife is legendary, but it also presents increased risks.

• Stick to Well-Lit Areas: Avoid walking alone in dark or secluded areas.
• Stay with a Group: If possible, stay with a group of friends or family.
• Be Aware of Intoxicated Individuals: Intoxicated individuals can be unpredictable and may pose a risk.
• Tip: If you are going to a nightclub, only bring the essentials.

10. Report Any Suspicious Activity:

If you witness any suspicious activity or believe you’ve been a victim of pickpocketing, report it to the police or hotel security immediately.

• Remember Details: If possible, remember any details about the suspect, such as their appearance, clothing, or direction of travel.
• Contact Hotel Security: If you are staying at a hotel, notify the security staff.
• File a Police Report: If you’ve been a victim of a crime, file a police report to document the incident.
• Tip: Have the non-emergency police number for Las Vegas programmed into your phone.

By following these ten tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of pickpocketing on the Las Vegas Strip. Remember, staying vigilant and taking proactive measures is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. Enjoy the excitement and glamour of Las Vegas, but prioritize your safety and the security of your valuables.

We are told that an NBA team is the “missing piece” for Las Vegas. But if you look at the track record, it feels more like the final nail in the coffin of the Vegas we once loved. Between the traffic-strangling, tourist killer know as the F1 Grand Prix, the predatory resort fees, and the general “casino greed” that has pushed the average tourist to the breaking point, do we really need another reason for people to avoid this town?

The Ghost of 2007

Proponents of the NBA like to say that Vegas is “different now.” They point to the Golden Knights and the Raiders as proof that we can handle the big leagues. But none of those leagues carry the same baggage as the NBA.

If you want to know what an NBA-focused crowd does to this city, look no further than the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. It wasn’t just a bad weekend; it was a “shit storm” of legendary proportions.

• The Chaos: Over 400 arrests in a single weekend. (Over half were prostitution-related)
• The Impact: It didn’t just disrupt the Strip; it paralyzed it. Big gamblers—the whales who actually keep the lights on and the dealers paid—couldn’t even get to the casinos.
• The “Riffraff” Factor: Service workers were stiffed on tips, cab fares were skipped, and the general atmosphere was one of hostility rather than the “relaxation” Vegas is supposed to provide.

The NBA has done nothing to change the culture it attracts. In fact, one could argue it has leaned further into the very elements that made 2007 such a disaster for our local economy.

The War on the Budget Tourist

What’s perhaps most frustrating is the LVCVA’s transparent shift in strategy. Steve Hill has been vocal about the fact that Las Vegas is pivoting toward the “high-value” (read: wealthy) traveler. The data shows they are actively targeting households making over $100k while letting the budget-conscious traveler—the backbone of this city for decades—drift away.

The irony? While the LVCVA claims to want “well-heeled” tourists, the NBA thrives on a demographic that often clashes with the luxury, high-limit environment the casinos are desperate to protect.

A Tourism Killer in Disguise

Las Vegas was built on the idea of being an “out-of-this-world experience” for everyone. A place to unwind and forget your problems. Now, between the construction for F1 and the looming threat of 41 nights of NBA-related congestion, we are becoming a city of hurdles.

More people are coming here specifically for an event, then leaving quickly after that event. They are not staying to experience all that Las Vegas has to offer. The new tourist motto: “We came, we saw, we left.”

We don’t need another “anchor” that drives away the people who actually spend money at the tables and at the shows. We need a city that remembers why people started coming here in the first place: to escape reality for a little while and have some fun.

Local media at that time consisted of two rival newspapers that knew not to make too many waves that might upset their best advertising buyer, the casinos, so they tempered their coverage. But you can read between the lines on what they wanted to say.

• Las Vegas Sun – NBA Weekend. When Cultures Clash
• Las Vegas Review Journal – NBA in Vegas 2007 All-Star Game a ‘Disastrous weekend’

The NBA isn’t the future of Vegas; it’s a repeat of a past we should be trying to forget.

RyanHenge, completed in 2017 under the wide open skies of the Mojave Desert, is just a little over an hour away from Las Vegas. Oh, yeah, it’s next to a landfill. Ryan Williams is the CEO of the company that runs the landfill, and he’s the guy who came up with the RyanHenge idea. Ryan spent over a decade mapping the sun and stars from that exact spot.

Since Ryan’s birthday is on the winter solstice, December 21. The 57 concrete columns are positioned so that on the 21st of every month, the sun sets perfectly between specific pillars.

Want to Visit RyanHenge?

Be Respectful – RyanHenge stands on private landfill property, and respectful tourists are welcome to enjoy it along with other oddities added by Ryan and his family, including some old Pullman railroad cars that sat in Downtown Las Vegas, across from The Main Street Station for decades.

They ask that you stay within the area around the RyanHenge and Main Street Station rail cars. What looks to be a working area or housing is just that: a working area and a place for the people who work there. Respect their privacy.

While walking around and admiring all that they have collected, don’t forget to see the paddock of llamas, cows, horses, and goats that Ryan said are definitely not meant for eerie rituals at RyanHenge.

They also have a tiny chapel. I mean tiny, as in six pews, a hand-painted mural on the ceiling, and Depression-era glass for the windows. They also have the train that used to run at Bonnie Springs Ranch.

If heading up to Cathedral Gorge State Park or Great Basin National Park, take a moment to stop and look. Again, please be respectful of what they have accomplished here.