NEWSLETTER NUMBER ONE

DEWEY’S BIRTHDAY BASH NEWSLETTER
NUMBER ONE 2-25-2006


THE POTENTIAL GUEST LIST SWELLS DELIGHTFULLY

At the present time I have 30 e-mail addresses. If half of those addresses result in a visit, I’ll celebrate my birthday with 30 people in about 15 fine intimate gatherings through the month of December.

And I get the pleasure of writing about Vegas in anticipation of the trip.

It just don’t get no better than that!

Between now and December, in this newsletter, I’ll organize and send specials and deals, list resources, answer questions, report on researched information, make suggestions.

I won’t offer to personally guide you around the city. I’ve done that so many times that I just don’t want to go up in the Stratosphere tower again for a long while. 15 times was enough for me. Besides, on the 14th visit, I finally got Elizabeth up there at romantic sunset time and got kissed. So anything after that would just be anticlimactic (so to speak)

And I don’t mean to suggest I know everything about Vegas. I don’t know as much about renting in the fancy strip hotels like Bellagio; I always go on the cheap. But I’m on every casino’s mailing list, so I see the e-mail specials from the big boys too and on the blog there is a link just for strip hotel specials that updates daily.

In addition, I subscribe to a large number of regular Vegas newsletters and talk to a national bulletin board network of Vegas travelers as well as Vegas locals, so I hear the ins and outs of car rentals, shopping, music, spas, shows, good food, promotional deals, coupons, traveling around the desert, etc. What I don’t know, I can find out by posting questions and getting answers from others like me who make Vegas travel a hobby.

I also know how to organize the huge space and opportunities of Vegas, for gamblers and nongamblers alike, so they can easily get around to see what they want to see, and so they know what is available in each area, enabling them to use their short time efficiently. I have done that now for many people. Vegas is huge and can only be tasted, so it is useful if you know just how to get the best bite in the time you have.

Finally, I have opened a new Blog dedicated to the Birthday Bash. On it I will put most of the general information that is in these newsletters. I always keep personal details off blogs, so notes on who is coming and when and last names will not be posted there . Featured will be past newsletters, pictures that illustrate newsletter content, other resource web links, and summaries of sections like the FAQ’s at the bottom of this page.

Also, on the Birthday Blog there is room for you and other readers to comment after each posted piece and share information, opinions, anecdotes, concerns with all the other readers. Finally, there is an entire section of recommended links so if you want, you can read about how to best play every casino game, look at the best maps, follow my last 4 years of Vegas exploits, get an overview of every casino hotel, well.....you get the picture.

SKIM SKIM SKIM SKIM SKIM SKIM SKIM

The majority of NEWSLETTER readers are Vegas virgins; they have never before visited Las Vegas. So those of you who are Vegas veterans will have to be patient with details that aren’t news to you. I will try to arrange the newsletter with headlines like a newspaper.

WHAT TO DO NOW

It is premature to book air or rooms yet, but perhaps not too early to block out dates on the calendar for your visit.

I plan to be in Vegas from approximately December 6th until December 27th. I will probably stay in the less pricey downtown area for Dec 6-12 when Vegas fills up with cowboys and cowgirls for the National Rodeo Finals (biggest rodeo event in the nation). Then I will try to book at the Orleans for most of the rest of the time, unless something unpredicted drives up their prices also or some free offer lures me away for a couple days. Most years the Orleans have offered very cheap rooms in December.






FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ NUMBER ONE:
I CAN’T BE AWAY FROM SCHOOL/WORK/HOME FOR TOO LONG. CAN I VISIT VEGAS FOR A LONG WEEKEND AND STILL ENJOY MYSELF?

Easily!
For example, if you can get out of work a little early on Thursday or Friday and get to the airport in time to catch the 2:30PM Southwest direct flight, you will arrive in Vegas at supper time.

The Southwest nonstop return gives you most of a day in Vegas and you are home in time to get a goodnight’s sleep for the next day of work.

And there are lots of other air options.

(I recommend the nonstop because it shortens the trip, allows uninterrupted sleeping, lessens a chance of getting stuck in a snowstorm in some stopover city, and virtually eliminates any chance of misplaced baggage.)

some sample Southwest schedules:
Albany to Vegas
768 2:30pm 5:00pm Nonstop
1023/2201 4:00pm 9:05pm BWI/1
128/1578 5:45pm 11:25pm MDW/1


Vegas to Albany
2877 3:50pm 11:30pm Nonstop
532/1138 12:00pm 9:35pm MDW/1
312/1497 1:10pm 10:20pm MDW/1


So, by taking just one weekday off of work, you can have 3 full days and one night in Vegas. Going to Vegas by air is about like driving to Buffalo, only you don’t have to bring your boots or worry about getting snowed in.

Three days is not enough time to see everything. It is just enough time to get a taste. But with good planning, it will be a memorable snack.

FAQ NUMBER TWO:
I DO NOT LIKE TO GAMBLE. CAN I STILL HAVE FUN IN VEGAS?

Absolutely!
I have taken two of my nongambling good friends (Jill from Albany, and Frank from London, England) around Vegas for an entire week on a whirlwind schedule and they had a blast. In fact, I recommend it for nongamblers because they can still get great deals on hotels, cheap car rentals, cheap or the best gourmet food, free or inexpensive shows and entertainment and don’t have to worry about risking money. Gamblers pay for your vacation.
I can even tell you where as a Vegas virgin you can gamble $10 absolutely for free. Kid Peter and his girl Jen did a lot of that on their last visit. $10 goes a long way if you play a penny at a time so you can have a frugal slot experience and be guaranteed no losses. Jill took her 10 free dollars and recklessly gambled on penny slots for a couple hours at the famous Palms before she cashed out and took $6 home. Another Vegas winner!