CHUCK'S & REG'S AUGUST 2005 TRIP REPORT

Hi Steve,

My Buddy (Reg) & I just got back from Vegas where we were participants in the Summer Breeze (the breeze was 110 degrees) slot Tournament at, where else, the Imperial Palace, "the friendliest place on Center Strip". When we got there, the first thing we noticed was that they had installed new carpeting and re-arranged the furniture. As you enter from Tequila Joes's, you see the Champagne Blackjack Pit, a perennial favorite of mine. They must have removed a lot of slot machines because the area is now very open with the old main center aisle now removed. Next come other table games and the "Dealertainer" pit now in a more prominent location in the casino center instead of way in the back. I like it.

Our thanks to Arlene, Laurie, Denise, Bob and Patricia for an enjoyable event. The cocktail reception was excellent, the tournament well organized and the awards dinner was a lot of fun. We got to sit next to the big winner (that was as close as we got to cashing in). We had a great time.

We visited the new Wynn Las Vegas and Ferrari showroom one afternoon and were very impressed. One can see the similarities to the Bellagio, especially in the use of warm, low level lighting and the application of fabrics for accent. We learned that there were 9/6, $.25 JOB Video Poker lurking in the casino somewhere, but where? After diligently searching, we found a bank of five near the crap tables and immediately began to play. After some time (and changing positions), Reg hit a straight flush. Usually, you receive 250 credits, not this one; it continued to pay to 450, just as the pay table (that had gone un-noticed) indicated. All five machines were the same; 450 for a straight flush. How does this affect the return percentage I wonder? Reg won and I contributed to the next mega resort Mr. Wynn will build. Now, on to the Forum shops.

The new section of the Forum is magnificent. As an Engineer, I hope everyone appreciates the effort that goes in to the design and construction of a spiral escalator. You don't see many of those, and there's a good reason. Check out some web sites and you'll understand. We visited the new Playboy Boutique and found it very interesting. Most of the stuff is for ladies, but the guy stuff is in the back. They have martini glasses, stirrers and other bar supplies. My favorite item was the T-shirt that says "I Read the Articles." I couldn't, in good conscience, wear that.

In one of the existing wings of the Forum Shops, is the "Exotic Car Dealership". What a fascinating place. They had Rolls, Lotus', Bentleys, a Corvette ('66 I think), Ferraris and other high end vehicles. It's laid out very well. The touring area is above the cars and gives you a great view. You can have your picture taken in a bright red Ferrari for $20. It's a good picture, an 8x10 glossy. On the way out of the Caesars, we stopped at one of those photo places where you can put your 57 year old head on a 20 year olds body (the gender is your preference). We had our Ferrari picture scanned and had some 4x6's made. When we got back to the room, we put some of those sticky postcard backs you can buy at Ritz on the pictures, wrote some lies about how we won the car, added 23 cent stamps and sent them out to our soon to be very jealous friends. Yeah, they'll believe it!

We made our usual gambling tour of our favorite casinos and ended up withdrawing winnings in one place and depositing them in another.

We had a great dinner at the IP's Embers; now open seven nights a week. We requested our favorite waiter, Odi, and feasted on filet, lobster and cherries jubilee.

Speaking of restaurants, this newsletter once mentioned Wolfgang Puck's Riva at the Venetian. The lemon pancakes with blueberries whetted my appetite. Alas, because it is located in the pool area, you are not legally allowed to dine there. However, I think if you can stow away on an elevator to the fourth floor with a legal Venetian guest, you may just get in. If somebody trys it, let me know how it worked out.
All in all, it was a fun trip. I can't wait to go back!