Why Not Las Vegas For the Maloof NBA Team?

It hardly gets mentioned, but George and Gavin Maloof have been busy making preparations to move their NBA team from Sacramento. Why, when they are so strong in Las Vegas, are they not bringing the team here? Its going to Anaheim, the market that already has the Lakers and the Clippers. Where is Mayor Oscar Goodman during this? This was the chance for the erstwhile mayor to realize his dream of attracting a pro team. Were we thwarted by the fact that the Thomas and Mack isn't a state of the art facility? Or is it that the NBA just doesn't want a team where there is sports book gambling? Too bad. Las Vegas is the largest city in the USA that doesn't have a major league team.

Hello, Darlings!

It's good to see things picking up on the strip.....and downtown as well. Why things are even going gangbusters up in Mesquite, at the CasaBlanca Resort Casino Hotel (about an hour North of Vegas). Owner Randy Black is running some huge discounts on golf (for him) and the spa (for us!), that even make the price of gas not matter! And- if you haven't been to that spa, you're missing out --- I could live there! I'm told the golf courses (CasaBlanca and The Palms) are top notch as well. They just played the Nevada Open at both courses, so they must be excellent. Meanwhile, if you're in town, and looking for a really cool place to go, take a trip to 'Old Vegas' at the Bootlegger on the weekends when Denise Clemente is performing there. Denise has been a fixture in Vegas since the Frank Rosenthal days at the Stardust. She even opened for Liberace in the good old days. She's a classic! Harder to find nowadays, but there is still some lounge superstars in Vegas. Make your way to Bally's some night and catch Jonathan and Music Magic....they'll knock your socks off! Legendary Vegas piano star Charlie Shaffer is a pround papa as his daughter Laura Shaffer, a Vegas singing legend in her own right, is currently completing her first album for RKO Records. Called "The Julie London Songbook", it promises to be awesome! Go to Laura's website at MidnightRefrain.Com and listen to some of the tunes that will be on the album. Wow! The classy Terry Fator is back for another year at the Mirage, and has introduced a new puppet character to his fabulous show. Terry is the new Wayne Newton in town. A great show. A classy guy. And a great representative of Las Vegas.