What Is that Suspicious Looking Van Doing in our Neighborhood?

Having recently been told by a cop who lives a few doors down to have a critical eye about any suspicious vehicle in the area, I saw a van+trailer in our neighborhood today that was out of place and decided to see what they were up to.

I was surprised by what I learned.

After a few questions, and while the woman I spoke to rifled through a large quantity of paperwork, I learned that this husband and wife team were “cleaners”. Fanny Mae had hired them to go to a foreclosed home that had been abandoned and to, well, clean it. . .inside and out. Their job is to remove any items left behind (tables, sofas, pots, pans, etc.) and to clean the place up. And besides getting the inside straighten up, they focus their efforts on the outside of the home and do some light yard maintenance as well.

Why was this a surprise?

Because we’ve seen several homes in the area that were in foreclosure and clearly being neglected as a result. This, of course, further increases the difficulty of selling one of these homes. Come to find out, the hiring of “cleaners” is a common practice of Fannie Mae. Who knew? This is good to know. Our Home Owners Association is currently dealing with the fact that the few foreclosures in our neighborhood are looking bad as a result of no yard maintenance. And getting the banks to respond to requests to clean a house, even if it includes fines, has proven largely unsuccessful.

Although this foreclosure business is bad news, and there is no question that Fannie Mae contributed mightily to this problem, I am happy that they are smart enough to recognize that a clean house, inside and OUT, is a more sellable house.

Let the Shopping Begin!

Just, not for me! Melissa and the kids have taken to their shopping chariot and have begun the Black Friday tradition of buying stuff. I wish them well.

Wynn Encore Commercial

Just saw the Wynn Encore Commercial. Here it is:

The video is courtesy of Fred Weinberg Productions, the audio producers of the commercial. Thanks, Fred!

Encore Opening Day Coming Up In A Few Weeks

Don’t miss the Sultan of Swing

Modern-day swing kings Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (BBVD) are returning to Ovation after performing at the venue’s opening in summer 2007. The band formed in Los Angeles in 1989 by bandleader Scotty Morris as a jazz, blues and swing trio that included drummer Kurt Sodergren. In the years to come, they formed the remainder of the now swing band, playing swing music reminiscent of the ‘40s and ‘50s. In the mid-‘90s, the band released two albums, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Watchu’ Want for Christmas?, under their own label Big Bad Records. In 1996, the band received their big break when they appeared in the movie "Swingers" as the Derby Band and performed two of their songs, "You & Me & the Bottle Makes Three Tonight (Baby)" and "Go Daddy-O." The band then received a record deal with Capitol Records and has since released multiple albums and has continued to tour extensively. In their latest tour, they are premiering songs from their upcoming Cab Calloway tribute album, as well as performing music from the 2004 BBVD holiday album, Everything You Want for Christmas.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Holiday Concert

Genre: Swing

Venue: Ovation

Date: Friday, December 19, 2008, at 8 p.m.

Ticket Prices: $34.95, $44.95 and $54.95 plus tax and applicable fees

All ages welcome- Under 21 must be accompanied by an adult 

Post from: The Las Vegas Adventurer

Locals head off the Strip for Great Music

Head off the strip to the Station Casino brand for great local bands and visiting bands at bargain prices.  The Railhead at Boulder Station always offers a top notch line up for the price of a drink.  Thursdays feature Boulder Blues at the Railhead (all ages) are a local favorite. Free; those under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.

Ovation at Green Valley Ranch (21 and up) at Steel Panther from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 80’s glam metal parity band, hair band Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard, great fun and rauncy humor.  Free.  Ages 21 and up.

The Chrome Room, Sante Fe Station features Purple Reighn, a Prince Tribute band, every Saturday night.  Doors open at 10:30 p.m. (ages 21 and up) with $5 cover charge.

Yellow Brick Road, a great tribute band that harnesses the sounds of Robert Plant, Jimmy Hendrix and other classic rock stars from the golden age of rock play each Saturday at Access Showroom inside the new Aliante Station.  Doors open at 10 p.m.  Free for Boarding Pass members, $5 for all others (ages 21 and up).

Sunset Station’s Club Madrid features ENVY, a contemporary hits and hip hop cover band, each Saturday at 11 p.m..  Free.  Ages 21 and up.

Post from: The Las Vegas Adventurer

For The Man Who Has Everything, Audi R8 This Holiday

It it's good enough for "Ironman," it's good enough for your man.

The Audi R8, which first appeared in the U.S. in a “Godfather-esque” television spot during the Super Bowl this past February, is the company's first mid-engine super car.

It is designed with extreme performance in mind and with other high-end sports cars like the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and BMW M6, in its sights. For the sports car enthusiast, it’s a highly sought after prize. It’s also won a slew of “Car of the Year” awards from auto enthusiast magazines and organizations, and it’s been featured in several major motion pictures – the most notable being “Ironman” - making it the ultimate gift this holiday.

The R8 is loosely based off of the Lamborghini Gallardo platform. It is powered by a 420 hp 4.2-liter V-8 engine, and has full-time all-wheel drive that puts power to the ground. It is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a R-tronic automated sequential manual transmission that allows for manual or automatic gear selection. Standard features include things like satellite radio, Alcantara/leather sport seats, 19-inch alloy wheels, and bi-xenon headlights. Options include a rearview camera, hill hold assist, Bluetooth, six-disc CD changer and a Bang & Olufsen audio system.

This March, the Audi R8 was named as 2008 World Performance Car and 2008 World Car Design of the Year at the New York Auto Show.

When naming the Audi R8 as the 2008 World Performance Car, the jurors observed that it has “exceptional balance, refinement and control that grant the driver the confidence to push to the limit. It has astonishing precision for a car of its size category.”

For the 2008 World Car Design of the Year award, the jurors praised the Audi R8 for “transforming the sports car landscape. The R8 design is striking, original and full of interesting details, from the nose strakes to the much discussed vertical ‘blade’ behind the B pillar.”

World Car design expert Tom Matano, Executive Director of the School of Industrial Design, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, USA commented that the Audi R8 is “a great visual representation of the technology within, a complete package of Techno-Iconic Design.”

Road & Track magazine called it “magic.”

The Audi R8 is available through Audi Henderson, located at 210 North Gibson Road in the Valley Auto Mall. Call 982-4600 or visit www.audihenderson.com for more information.

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Audi R8 Specs

Mid-mounted V-8 engine, 4.2 liter DOHC with FSI® technology produces 420 hp and accelerates the Audi R8 to 60 MPH in 4.4 seconds. Top speed of 187 mph.

Unique Sites In Las Vegas Part 6

Verizon Wireless forecasts Storm in Las Vegas on Nov. 21

According to the National Weather Service, the last measurable rainfall in Las Vegas – 0.01 inch – occurred on Oct. 5. But on Friday, Verizon Wireless is calling for a Storm to arrive.

At 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, the first Las Vegas customers can get the Verizon Wireless BlackBerry® Storm™ – the world’s first touch-screen BlackBerry smartphone. The device retails for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two- year customer agreement.

The capabilities of the revolutionary BlackBerry® Storm™ from Verizon Wireless include SurePress™ (the next generation in touch screen technology) and multimedia capabilities including: VZ Navigator, a 3.2 megapixel camera, a full HTML browser, music player, Facebook® and Flickr™.

The BlackBerry® Storm™ also features the security of the industry’s leading mobile e-mail and messaging solution, global voice and data connectivity in more locations than ever before and Verizon Wireless’ network, the nation’s most reliable and largest 3G wireless network.

Representatives from Verizon Wireless will be available on launch day for media demonstrations from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Verizon Wireless Boca Park Communications Store at 8780 W. Charleston Blvd.

In the U.S., the BlackBerry Storm will be available exclusively at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, as well as online at www.verizonwireless.com. High-resolution stills and B-roll are available at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 70.8 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 71,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visitwww.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia

L’ Atelier de Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand Las Vegas

This guest post comes from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and blogger at Flyaway Cafe.

I wnet to L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, while waiting to attendd a performance of Ka (a Cirque du Soleil performance).

Since I had about an hour to spare before meeting a friend to see the performance, and because I was looking for a quiet place to have a drink – away from the craziness, noise, and frenetic energy of the casino – and so I chose L’ Atelier du Joel Robuchon.

Walking to the door, I advised the maitre d’ that I wanted a quiet place to sit and enjoy a glass of wine.  He escorted me through the main dining area, which consists of a large open kitchen in the center of the room surrounded by a counter where diners are seated, to a small bar at the back of the restaurant.  It was a perfect location, away from the frenetic energy of the food preparation and the noise of gregarious diners.  And I appreciated that I wasn’t stuck in some corner where I’d be ignored, as so often can happen with a woman dining (or drinking).

With the help of the wine steward I selected a nice glass of red wine, full-bodied enough to stand on its own and not needing a food pairing to bring out its best flavor.  The wine steward was helpful, inquiring about my taste preferences, and made two suggestions, allowing me to choose.

When served, the wine was opened in front of me, a nice touch that guaranteed me that the wine was fresh.  It was delicious, and I could settle back and enjoy some relaxation time before meeting up with friends.  The service was excellent, with my waiter checking back to see if I needed anything more without hovering or making me feel uncomfortable for just want to enjoy a good glass of red.  Bread and crackers were offered, although I declined.

I did have a chance to browse through the dinner menu, and it contained some delicious sounding items, including small tasting-sized portions and a complete multi-course tasting menu.  I spent a little extra time looking at the dessert menu (my favorite course), and was nearly tempted by La Framboise (fresh raspberry surprise inside white chocolate sphere, yuzu ice cream).

This is not a restaurant for the budget conscious.  A glass of good wine is going to run you around $25, and from a quick look at the menu, I’d guess that a nice meal and a cocktail is going to run you around $100+ per person.  Wine will increase that tab substantially.  Of course, since Joel Robuchon was named “Chef of the Century” that price may be a fair one.  People who’ve eaten there rave about it!

The stop off was exactly what I wanted, a half hour of quiet time, away from the crowds of people, before continuing on with an evening full of plans.

Would I go back?  Absolutely!  And I’m looking to try the tasting menu next time.

L’ Atelier is open for dinner only, Sunday – Thursday 5:30 – 10:30 pm; Friday & Saturday 5 –11:30 pm.

Photo credit: Personal collection

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Post from: The Las Vegas Adventurer