FR A NK M A RINO
CAN WE TALK? THIS DIVA HAS LOTS TO REVEAL
LV QUICK BITES EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY
ONE MALE’S TAKE ON MENOPAUSE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS
will make you want to shop ‘til you drop
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CONTENTS
2
10
Frank Marino: From Drags to Riches One of Las Vegas’ premier Divas is dressed to “kill”
7
Night Heat
RHUMBAR raises the bar on a rum experience.
by Bobbie Katz
4
Sweating with the “oldies” one man’s view of Menopause by Barry Berlin
The Spa that Loves You
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental and Spa Vdara Offer a New Level of experience and philosophy.
8
11
Attractions
Dive with Sharks – Everyone into the pool?
12
by Lark Ellen Gould
6
Shopping- A Retail Makeover Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas reveals its lineup of boutiques
CSI: The Experience
Culled from the TV show, it’s putting its own handprint in the desert
14 LV Quick Bites
Making merry on the food scene by Barbara J. Nosek
Editor Bobbie Katz (bobbie@vegasinsiderdaily.com) Associate Editor Ginger Tafoya (ginger@vegasinsiderdaily.com) Writers Barry Berlin Lark Ellen Gould Bobbie Katz Barbara J. Nosek Susan Stapleton Ginger Tafoya Cozy Stone Photographers Jeff Green Photography (jeffgreenphoto@mac.com) Design Attention Media Group (grant@attentionmediagroup.com) Web Implementation Grant Dunmire, Attention Media Group (grant@attentionmediagroup.com) Publisher Vegas Insider Daily, LLC (www.vegasinsiderdaily.com) Member/Advisor Ron Slay
Borderline
Sky Zone will have you jumping with joy. by Barry Berlin
Vegas 365 is published monthly. Reproduction of any portion of Vegas 365 is prohibited without prior authorization in writing from the publisher. Vegas 365 is not responsible for the views of contributing journalists. All editorial correspondence should be addressed to bobbie@vegasinsiderdaily.com For advertising inquiries for Vegas 365, Vegas Insider Daily or Mobile Vegas Insider Daily, please contact: Barry Berlin at barry@vegasinsiderdaily.com 702.271.4541 Tom Raspanti at tom@vegasinsiderdaily.com 702.528.0718 Judy Robinson at judy@vegasinsiderdaily.com 702.308.3633 Vegas 365 assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions appearing herein. All Rights Reserved. Vegas Insider Daily, LLC, Copyright 2010.
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COVER STORY
Frank Marino:
From Drags to Riches Can We Talk? By Bobbie Katz
B
y rights, Frank Marino should be one exhausted guy. After all, he’s come out of the closet – and gone back in -350,000 times in the last 25 years. That’s because he has been switching complete head-to-toe costumes 17 times each and every night over that duration, starring as Joan Rivers/Femme Fatale in An Evening at La Cage at the Riviera and now in his new show, Divas Las Vegas, at the Imperial Palace, which he created and is co-producing with SPI Entertainment. It could be said that Marino, the longest running headliner on the Las Vegas Strip, definitely has had a lot on his chest. “The only performer who currently goes through ‘the change’ as much as I do is Cher in her Caesars show – and we even use the same primary designer, Bob Mackie,” he quips. “But as much as this may give me a leg up when it comes to melding fashion with entertainment, the ladder of success is definitely harder to climb when you’re wearing high heels.
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“Actually, I was a natural in them from the moment I took my first steps as a female impersonator – it’s sneakers that I have trouble walking in,” he continues. “I always knew I’d be successful in whatever I chose to do; I just didn’t know I’d be wearing designer stilettos to do it.” In reality, female impersonation has always been part of Marino’s makeup. He started out wanting to be a doctor and, while in college, worked at a large pharmacy on weekends. Apparently, he spent more time upfront at the cosmetics counter than at the back dispensing pills. Makeup fascinated him for some reason and through trial and error, he learned to apply it, As it happened, fate ended up combining with his cosmetic talents one Halloween when he dressed up like Diana Ross and went to a party. “There was a booking agent there who told me that I looked so good that he could send me out to different events impersonating famous divas,” Marino recalls. “He offered me $150 a
night. That’s when I kissed the idea of medical school goodbye.” Between the ages of 17 and 20, Marino tried portraying every female character from Cher to Madonna. Then, one night, he went to Atlantic City to see Joan Rivers perform. She invited him backstage where he met the producers of An Evening at La Cage, which was playing at Bally’s on the Boardwalk and in which the headlining host of the show was the female impersonator portraying Rivers. Since Marino couldn’t sing and Rivers was the most glamorous of all the female comedians, she subsequently became his permanent character to impersonate. After finishing four years of college, Marino ended up in Florida, headlining the La Cage show there as Rivers. Meschulam Riklis, who owned the Riviera at the time, and his then-wife, Pia Zadora, came to see the revue and subsequently brought Marino to the hotel on a six-month contract to star in it in Las Vegas. “When I’m putting on my makeup, I look at Joan’s picture,” Marino explains about how he takes on Rivers’ persona. “I try to recreate her facial structure, much like an artist who takes a blank canvas and turns it into a painting. I don’t do my makeup like Joan’s; I do my makeup so that my face will look like Joan’s. It’s been a lot easier to do over the years because I’ve had more than $150,000 of plastic surgery – I have my surgeon, Dr. Giselle Anson, on speed dial. I’ve had a nose job, cheek implants, a neck lift and liposuction and I’m a big fan of Restylane and Juvederm. And I’m never more than six
months away from a shot of Botox. I’ve had so much that even my clothes don’t wrinkle.” Marino, who also portrays a Femme Fatale character in the show, has more than 2,000 gowns in his wardrobe, most of them designed by Bob Mackie, and others by a local designer, Coco Vega. ”In helping to design them, I kept with my motto, ‘Too much is just enough,’” he quips. “Of course, the thing people are most curious about where female impersonation is concerned and the first question they ask is, ‘Where do you put IT?’” Marino laughs. “I always respond with, ‘Where do you want it?’ The second thing they want to know is how long it takes me to perfect Joan each night. When I first started, the makeup process took over two hours. Today, it takes me less than an hour but it takes an hour and a half to get the makeup off because of all the putty and wax and theater makeup I use.” Marino describes Divas as the same format as La Cage but says that he’s given it a more modern twist. “Instead of cabaret, it is more of an MTV/VHI type of production,” he notes. “There are younger characters as well as the staples like Cher, Diana Ross, and Madonna. There are 15 cast members in all, including six hunky dancers.” Audiences have a chance to see the likes of Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Dolly Parton, Wynonna Judd, Donna Summer and others. In all, 17 of the most famous divas to have ever graced the stages of Las Vegas and the world are portrayed, many by former cast members of La Cage. Having just celebrated its first year at the Imperial Palace in October, Divas’ contract has been renewed for two more years. Now after more than 20,000 performances and having played to over 10 million people -- amid wigs, gowns, trunks of jewelry, and stilettos --Marino will continue his quickchange artistry, every night being dressed to “kill If life is a drag, it’s fine with him. VID
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THE SPA THAT LOVES YOU
Soul-Centering at CityCenter Peace in the middle of the strip By Lark Ellen Gould
Detoxing in Sin City need not be an oxymoronic punch line, especially if indulged in at one of the three new CityCenter spas. But sybaritic scintillation would necessarily come in flash and circumstance in the forwardleaning CityCenter that opened in December to as much fanfare and fest as Sin City could conjure up in the middle of a whopper recession. As each hotel shouts an “aria” of its own in artful design, noteworthy guestroom technologies and innovative sustainability operations, each spa provides a complete environment of its own, unduplicated by any other spa facility at CityCenter or in Las Vegas. This month, we step into the Spa at Mandarin Oriental and Spa Vdara and find ourselves one step beyond in experience and philosophy. Mandarin Oriental True to the Mandarin Oriental chain, which specializes in high-end personalized service, the Spa Mandarin Oriental keeps things tidy and intimate with a 27,000-square-foot facility spanning two floors, all in dark woods, thin lines and crystalline Feng Shui. Consider this: out of 17 treatment rooms, seven are couples suites. Treatment themes lean toward Asian twists such as Thai Massage, Mahjong Balance and the Jade Enzyme Facial, with a pre-treatment Chinese foot massage for good measure. Treatments start at $100 for a 30-minute scrub Post-treatment or facility amenities can hold their own against the other spas in town with such treats as a hammam ($100 with treatment, $150 without), an ice fountain, a laconium, and relaxation chairs lined up in front of a floor-to-ceiling window over the action on the Strip. The real crowd-pleaser here is the “experience shower” – a geek-loving chamber that offers sounds, lights and real rain experiences – from Arctic Mist to Tropical Rainshower – per flick of a touchsceen. For the wellness-inspired, yoga classes are offered in the evening for $35. Or guests can have their very own Swami. A Vegas local, who has spent most of his life studying Oriental languages and culture, teaches wisdom on demand for $150 per session per guest in a wonderfully windowed studio overlooking CityCenter and Las Vegas. A sunrise
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session will start with a candlelit room and chi-waking exercises that can be customized for interests and skills. With meditations and discussions, the session can work wonders for body and spirit and bring valuable insight to guests, channeled through a man of many loves. (888) 881-9530 (702) 590-8888 www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas Spa Vdara Spa Vdara goes for the green. The 18,000-square-foot, two-level spa, salon and fitness center themes itself around the calming power of water and remains the first and only Green Spa (certified by the Green Spa Network) in Las Vegas. That means only organic or wild-crafted products -- no paraben anywhere -- and only natural and cruelty-free products (even nail polish is all natural and vegan). In addition, the spa recycles and uses recycled paper for spa materials. Just because you are nice to the environment does not mean you can’t be a little naughty. The Champagne Bar in the spa lobby is open for business all day, seven days a week. Treatments at Spa Vdara keep an eye on the holistic twist and use natural organic products, such as Naturopathica, Dr. Obagi’s ZO Skin Health, Akhassa, Chocolate Sun and Red Flower. The salon uses Aveda products and elixirs from Moroccanoil. Massages start at $140 for 60 minutes. Guests at Vdara have the use of the spa included in their resort fee and may avail themselves of the spa’s extras, such as the water relaxation room. Cabana massages can be had by the pool for an added $35. Personal training sessions and in-depth nutrition consultation can be arranged at the fitness center for an added fee. VID (866) 391-7111 (702) 590-2030 www.vdara.com
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LV QUICK BITES
Making Merry on the Food Scene
Cheery venues for the holidays and more By Barbara J. Nosek
It’s a Native Fave. But visitors too have discovered this seafoodie gem and that’s why you may well have to wait a bit for a place at the 18-seater Oyster Bar inside Palace Station. For over 15 years now, it has served up generous bowls of deeply flavored bouillabaisse, cioppino, gumbo, and pan roasts. Add in a delectable appetizer, such as half shells or the addictive bacon-wrapped shrimp, and you may or may not have room for the Carnegie cheesecake. www.palacestation.com.
Now enjoy the awesome upscale pub cuisine crafted by celeb chef Joe Romano at two new PT’s locations, Craig & Decatur and Buffalo & Sunset. In addition to a 24-hour menu of snacks, sandwiches and entrees, both feature gaming, high def TVs, world class a/v systems and half- off pizza/drinks Happy Hours 3 p.m.-7.p.m. & midn-4 a.m., plus the Golden Rewards and Beer & Bites clubs that reward guests for playing, eating and drinking [Yay!]. www.goldengaminginc.com.
Be happy later. That party place Rock & Rita’s at Circus Circus has introduced a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Happy Hour menu featuring such crave-worthy dishes as soft pretzels, spinach dip, nachos, sliders, quesadillas, pulled BBQ pork or beef dip, all at just $5 each. Meanwhile those award-winning flair bartenders pour two-fer drinks. www.rockandritas. com.
Catch all the football action on any of 10 flat-screen TVs while tucking into the Beer Bomb Special – Chef Bryan Odgen’s signature chicken wings bucket and Miller Lite pitcher – or maybe a Munch Burger and Chili Cheese Waffle Fries, or other “artisanal comfort food,” plus something from the biggie draft beer roster. And don’t be surprised if someone that’s otherwise on the field, in the ring or on the court is munching there, too. The Munchbar in Caesars, Sun-Thurs, 11am-2am, Fri & Sat till 4am. www.munchgroup.com.
Avoid Keller withdrawal. While chef/ proprietor Hubert Keller’s Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay is transforming into a cool new small plates place, possibly by the end of the year, folks can still find a Keller fix at the chef’s more casual Burger Bar in Mandalay Place. Here, the American classic goes upscale with several premium burgers and bun options, dressed up with bleu cheese, lobster, foie gras or truffles or more traditional toppings. Also, there are great fries and “burger desserts.” www.hubertkeller. com.
The yuletide season is celebrated “in good taste” with Ethel M’s festive 2010 packages . . . the colorful Peppermint Collection, the spirited Holiday Cocktail Collection, and the innovative Holiday Pie Collection, each $18. Other more elaborate medleys too, online and at the eight LV locations. Also be sure to visit the factory during the holidays to see the spectacular Cactus Garden, all dressed up in a half-million lights. www.ethelm.com.
For more foodie delights, Barbara Nosek’s blog, Celebrity Chef Connection, can be found on the bottom right of this homepage. VID 006 VEGAS365
Sweating with the “Oldies” On man’s take on Menopause…the show and real life. By Barry Berlin
O
K, I’ve heard it from Oprah my wife and innumerable others of the female persuasion. Did I notice that all things intrusive or dehabilitating to women have a male factor in their name — MENopause…..MENstral cycle…HYSterectomy…. etc.????!! Yes, I have! To really understand the effects of menopause, all men (not just those 50 and over) should see Menopause The Musical. I initially had my doubts about going when it was suggested to me by a writer in Las Vegas who had a friend, Paige O’Hara (known as Belle in the Oscar-winning animated film, Beauty and The Beast), in the show. That was a couple of years ago when the production’s home was the Shimmer Cabaret at the Las Vegas Hilton. But I went and ended up laughing my head off back then and, upon seeing the show recently in the Luxor showroom, where both Carrot Top and Fantasy appear, I once again had a constant smile on my face. The Sunday evening performance (5:30 p.m.) my wife and I attended featured Skye Dee Miles as the “professional woman,” Lori Legacy replacing Paige O’Hara (on tour for Disney) as the “soap star,” Laura Lee O’Connell as the “earth mother,” and Annette Houlihan Verdolino as the “Iowa housewife”. The show takes place in one of our country’s most famous shopping meccas, Bloomingdales in Manhattan. Scenes vary from the cosmetic section to the lingerie area where hilarity reigns! The songs are incredible parodies — the BeeGees’ famous “Stayin’ Alive” becomes “Stayin’ Awake” with lines like “ I don’t wake up ‘cause I never fall asleep.” The Tokens’ hit, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” boasts such new lyrics as “in the guest room or on the sofa, my husband sleeps at night.” Mary Wells’ hit “My Guy” becomes “My Thighs.” The voices of all the actresses are excellent and the expressions on their faces are priceless. I was watching the audience reaction, particularly the men. Young and older men had the same beaming smile on their faces as I had, while lots of the ladies in attendance were incessantly poking each other in that “I can relate to that” way. I remembered my wife throwing off the blanket and putting on the fan—in the middle of winter — when I heard the cast singing, “Night Sweats.” I smiled knowingly at my lovely spouse during the numerous references to those things that affect us men when our women are going through menopause. The audience erupted in laughter when the Iowa housewife character sang to her vibrator the Platters’ song “Only You”….. and, once again, the crowd exploded in guffaws as Skye Dee Miles bounced across the stage in her Tina Turner wig and leather outfit, singing “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” Ah, yes, ladies everywhere, we men sympathize with all those inexplicable reactions you have during menopause. Seeing this show reaffirms it, but in an, oh, so funny way. VID 007 VEGAS365
SHOPPING
A Retail Makeover Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas reveals its lineup of boutiques By Susan Stapleton
G
et ready for a new and different shopping experience. Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the resort that plans to open Dec. 15, has announced a boutique collection of shops scheduled to be unveiled. “The boutiques at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas are a new way of approaching retail in Las Vegas,” says John Unwin, CEO of Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. “Retail in the city has become expected but our thoughtful merchandising and unique mix is specifically curated for the brand and unlike anything that has come before it. The experience at the boutiques is an extension of our commitment to creating a sense of discovery for the guest.” And these shops are all new to Las Vegas. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will feature nearly 36,000-square-feet of retail space including a collection of nine luxury boutiques with a youthful, modern sensibility. Stores include:
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SHOPPING
AllSaints SpitalFields — British brand AllSaints is acclaimed for its collection of vintage-inspired, sharp edge and directional designed apparel. Look for graphic tees, knitwear jersey, dresses, denim, leather, tailoring and accessories for men, women and children. Beckley — The Beckley experience is synonymous with luxury lifestyle and provides unparalleled client services such as personal shoppers, stylists, tailors, a highly trained staff and a relaxed atmosphere. The boutique features women’s ready to wear, evening wear, lounge wear, accessories and shoes from top designers as well as from emerging industry talent. CRSVR Sneaker Boutique — CRSVR (pronounced crossover) Sneaker Boutique specializes in limited-edition sneakers and men’s and women’s casually dressed up fashion. Originally based in Santa Barbara, Calif., and co-owned by Las Vegas’ DJ Vice, CRSVR also features live in-store deejays and a Beats by Dre listening station and distributes CDs to guests with every purchase. Expect to find Nike (Tier zero) Footwear, Nike Sportswear, Supra Footwear, Native Footwear, The Hundreds, Five Four Clothing, And Still La Brea, Brixton, Krew, SLVDR, Shwood Eyewear, G-Shock and Beats by Dre headphones. DNA2050 — Denim has a new home at DNA2050, a boutique chain that offers a contemporary way to shop for a favorite pair of jeans and accessories. Inside the shop, the se-
lection of denim represents today’s most well-known premium brands and today’s rising stars in the denim world. Evocative and expressive, the collections represent the latest trends seen in men and women’s fashion. Droog — Droog started in 1993 as a statement on design, offering a no-nonsense, down-to-earth mentality. Look for accessories, lighting and furniture at this Dutch store. Molly Brown’s Swimwear — This boutique specializes in high-end specialty swimwear and apparel. RetroSpecs & Co. — When you’re searching for early modern eyewear, turn to RetroSpecs & Co. They offer looks manufactured from the 1870s to 1970s. SKINS 62 Cosmetics — Las Vegas will finally have a new beauty boutique when SKINS 62 Cosmetics opens. Look for fragrances, skin and hair care products, home fragrance accessories, and beauty treatments. Stitched — The guys can find menswear, jewelry, accessories and celebrity collaboration items at this boutique. Create a bespoke Ohand Stitched life with garments personalized with your name. Ready-to-wear brands include George Esquivel, Jacks & Jokers, Rag & Bone, Cr8tive Recreation, and Louis Stewart. Jeweler to the stars, Jason of Beverly Hills, will also be featured.
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NIGHTLIFE
RHUMBAR Raises the Bar on Caribbean Culture Get ready to rum-ble
Picture yourself in Las Vegas with a minty mojito in your hand, sitting on a white beach, surrounded by cool Caribbean mint leaves. No, you’re not having a mirage -you’re simply in The Mirage. Of course, that would be The Mirage casino hotel on the Las Vegas Strip where the rum lounge and outdoor patio called RHUMBAR was recently unveiled by Michael Frey and Craig Gilbert of Drive This! Entertainment. Thanks to the design by New York-based Alvarez-Brook Design, when at RHUMBAR, guests feel as though they’re in a place where the cool mood of the Caribbean meets sizzling Sin City, erupting in a blast of contemporary island ambiance. “RHUMBAR is a modern interpretation of classic Caribbean culture,” says Frey, managing partner of Drive This! Entertainment. “Through an eclectic soundtrack of lounge and world music and contemporary architecture, RHUMBAR delivers a 010 VEGAS365
distinctive atmosphere with a Latin vibe.” RHUMBAR, which is located near the main entrance of the hotel just off the Las Vegas Strip sets the mood from the minute guests arrive. The entryway is lined with blocks of slate tile and there is a highly stylized frozen daiquiri bar featuring a chic counter with embedded mint leaves backlit with neon green lighting. While it looks like a piece of art, the counter is fully functional and equipped to handle the large volume of guests that walk by RHUMBAR every day. The design of the venue was actually inspired by the image of a minty mojito on a white beach overlooking a teal ocean. RHUMBAR’s design-centric concept encompasses 2,000 square feet and accommodates up to 100 guests. To bring to mind sand on a Caribbean beach, white is the prevailing color at RHUMBAR. There are also touches of cool greens throughout. The 20-foot- tall glass walls are adorned by abstract white mint
leaves and the arched ceiling displays 15 Jeff Koons-esque sculpted chrome fighting cocks encased in glass protruding from the wall above guests. RHUMBAR offers an array of specialty rum cocktails, as well as other classic libations served by stylish cocktail servers and bartenders. The rum lounge also features a humidor offering an ample selection of cigars. Enhancing the tropical theme is that spacious outdoor patio framed by lush landscaping that offers the atmosphere of a Caribbean retreat. There, guests can enjoy the fresh air and views of the Las Vegas Strip skyline. RHUMBAR is the second hospitality and nightlife venture for Drive This! Entertainment, following T&T, the tacos and tequila mecca that opened at Luxor last summer. RHUMBAR is open from 10a.m. until midnight Sun. through Thurs. and 10a.m. until 2a.m. Fri. and Sat.. VID
ATTRACTIONS
Everyone Into the Pool? Sink your teeth into a new experience
Just when you thought it was safe to back into the water…. ….Mandalay Bay gives its guests the opportunity to swim with the sharks at the Shark Reef Aquarium at the hotel. This depth-defying experience is courtesy of the property’s new Dive with Sharks program, specifically for guests staying at Mandalay Bay and THEhotel. Certified divers 18 and older who opt to take the plunge will have the thrill of diving alongside dive guides and more than 30 sharks, including sandtiger, white tip and sandbar sharks, in a 1.3-million-gallon exhibit. All dive participants must present a valid certification card from a recognized dive instruction agency such as PADI or NAUI. To make the experience more intimate, the program is limited to two participants and one dive per day. Every dive is different as the sharks’ needs change daily. In developing this program, Mandalay Bay’s top priority was the safety and health of the animals and participants. A team of dedicated dive guides teach participants various safety procedures before the dive and provide a 2-to-1 guest to dive instructor ratio, ensuring personalized attention and safety throughout the experience. The adventure begins at 3 p.m. A program facilitator greets participants and takes them on a guided tour of Shark Reef, sharing intriguing facts about the predator-based aquarium’s inhabitants. Participants then receive dive and equipment orientation before changing into wetsuits and beginning their underwater journey Dive with Sharks is a four-hour experience in which participants
have the rare chance to connect with these powerful creatures and learn about shark health and behavior. This up-close and personal educational program, which provides a deeper understanding of marine life, also provides insight into the Shark Reef Aquarium research projects that aid in the preservation of endangered species “The dive sessions we have created are very unique,” says Shark Reef General Curator Jack Jewell “During dives in the ocean, it is uncertain whether one or more sharks will swim close or appear at all. The Dive with Sharks program guarantees the opportunity to observe many sharks as well as a variety of other creatures, including green sea turtles, sawfish and mesmerizing schools of fish.” To commemorate their experience, guests receive a Dive with Sharks Certificate of Completion and a video of their dive. Participants can bring up to four observers – who receive complimentary admission to Shark Reef and can join in the behind-the-scene tours -- to view the dive from outside the exhibit. Hotel guests of Mandalay Bay or THEhotel can book the exclusive tour for $650 for a single diver or $1,000 for two divers booked together. The Dive with Sharks program includes a guided tour of Shark Reef Aquarium, supervised 45-minute dive and a post-dive snack. Shark Reef Aquarium provides all equipment – a wetsuit, protective stainless steel chain maille as well as a mask, fins, tank, buoyancy-control device, regulator, weights and booties. Dive with Sharks is available four days a week – Tues., Thurs., Sat. and Sun.. VID 011 VEGAS365
HAVE YOU GOTTEN Interactive exhibit leaves a handprint in the desert By Bobbie Katz
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The MGM Grand has an attraction that would be a crime to miss. Literally. The popular CSI: The Experience interactive exhibit opened in August at the hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, the setting of the original top-rated CBS series CSI, created by longtime Las Vegas resident Anthony E. Zuiker. The attraction gives guests the opportunity to play the role of a crime scene investigator via hands-on science in a multi-media environment with special effects direct from the TV series. “I think that through this exhibit that people will look at the TV show differently and have a new appreciation and respect for what CSI’s do for a living,” says Zuiker. “They are the unsung heroes of crime solving that bring peace of mind and closure to people on the worst day of their lives. The civil service that crime scene investigators provide is incredibly important work. The closure they give to a survivor of violent crime is very important to the sanity of that human being in being able to move forward.” At CSI: The Experience, people will learn scientific principles and real investigative techniques as they try to solve one of three crime scene mysteries, “A House Collided,” “Who Got Served?” or “No Bones About It.” From DNA to fingerprint analysis, forensic anthropology, and toxicology, two state-of-the art crime labs will help them piece together the evidence.
their results to those of expert crime scene investigators. A personalized CSI Diploma completes the experience. Of course, there would be no CSI: The Experience without another kind of scene – Zuiker initially creating the TV show. It all began back in the mid-90’s when he was working as a stockbroker and, finding himself not good at working with intangibles, he decided, on a lark, to write a script for a friend. It sold to a local producer in Hollywood and broke Zuiker into the business. That movie, “The Runner,” starring Courtney Cox and John Goodman, went right to video but it netted Zuiker his first job -- writing a script for Columbia Pictures called “The Harlem Globetrotters Story.” Although that movie did not get made and Zuiker came back to Las Vegas to reassess his writing career, somehow the screenplay ended up on the desk of Jerry Bruckheimer, who happened to like its voice. Bruckheimer then called Zuiker into a meeting and asked him if he had any interest in television. “I had just watched a show on the Discovery Channel called ‘The New Detectives’ – it was actually my wife’s idea to watch it,” Zuiker reveals. “It was a docudrama that featured different crime scene cases. The episode I saw was about Oakland Raiders cheerleader Linda Sobek, who had been killed by a photographer on the beach. It showed how forensic evidence helped to solve the case -- the photographer had said that he had accidentally run over her with his
YOUR CSI TODAY? Zuiker, a partner in the exhibit from the beginning, notes that his contribution was to make sure it doesn’t feel like a typical museum. He suggested hands-on activities such as analyzing tire tracks, putting clay on bones for facial recognition, and the witnessing of an actual autopsy. “I think in that way I was instrumental,” he acknowledges. The fun begins with a video introduction by CSI cast members, who welcome guests and lead them through the experience. The “new recruits” enter one of the three crime scenes – a car crash through a house, a female body dumped behind a dumpster, and a skeleton found in the desert -- where they identify evidence and record findings on a special investigation card. The crime scenes vary in intensity, with the mildest being the presentation of the skeletal remains discovered in a remote desert (“No Bones About It”). Upon leaving the crime scenes, “sleuths” have access to a large wall of crime scene photos and clues they may have missed. They then analyze evidence in two highly interactive lab areas, each featuring multiple stations that allow for testing of the various evidence. At the conclusion of CSI: The Experience, guests present their findings in a re-creation of the office of Gil Grissom, CSI head investigator. Located in this area are touch screens on which people answer a series of multiple choice questions based on their scientific findings, A case summary is then generated so that they can match
jeep but the evidence depicted a struggle in the car, signifying that he had lied. Seeing that show eventually led to the creation of CSI – I presented the idea to Jerry Bruckheimer, who loved it.” Admittedly, when he set about writing the CSI pilot, Zuiker knew “zero” about forensics. So he proceeded to do a lot of research and to ride along with real CSI’s so that, as he gained knowledge, he could create interesting and convincing characters and make sure that his evidence was correct in the script. “It was a very intensive research project to do the pilot,” Zuiker recalls. “I grew up in Las Vegas, my family having moved here from Chicago when I was six months old, and it felt like the natural backdrop for a crime drama – it’s a 24-hour town and three million people visit every month. I felt that setting the show in a graveyard shift in a 24-hour town with all the transient people coming in and out would make for a compelling crime drama. Plus, Vegas is a sexy city.” “I believe that we finally found a way to tell a modern-day mystery in a compelling manner,” Zuiker expresses about the reasons behind the show’s popularity. “We’re dealing with a forensic point of view in a procedural drama, constructing what happened without being there through the power of evidence. On top of that, our amazing cast of high-quality actors comes into your living room week after week and brings justice to survivors of a crime, which is not only compelling for America but for the world.” VID
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BORDERLINE
The Sky’s the Limit Sky Zone offers off-the-wall fun By Barry Berlin
As I entered the vast confines of Sky Zone for a media party, I must admit that my first thoughts involved alcohol and food. With a glass of wine and some appetizers in hand, I was asked by other attendees if I was “going to jump”. After surveying the vast, all-trampoline-walled playing field and viewing a wide variety of participants, both young and old, bouncing happily all over the place, my answer was a simple, “You Bet!” Obviously, I put off any more imbibing and food consumption until after my experience. A prerequisite to jumping is donning the special Sky Zone sneakers (normally $2.00 and similar to High-Tops). I would also suggest casual and comfortable clothing. The main room consists of a series of custom-built trampoline beds linked together and surrounded by angled trampoline wall panels. (redefining the term “bouncing off the walls” mentioned in the Sky Zone brochure.) Jumping was fun, great exercise, AND tiring! My wife, Louise, got to the point of jumping high enough and landing on her rear
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end with force enough to propel her back to the upright position. Of course, nearby, some teenagers and 20-somethings were doing flips, dives, and other gymnastics feats, but for a first-timer and one more than twice their age, Louise was impressive. Owner Rick Platt urged me---actually dared me---to run around a smaller trampoline area for 60 seconds straight. I did and it was enough to make me think about quitting smoking. It was more strenuous than doing two miles on a treadmill and a lot easier on the knees. Founded in 2002, Sky Zone is located at 4915 Steptoe St. in Las Vegas. ….that’s right off Tropicana, a mile or so east of Boulder Highway. Take a glance at their website www.skyzonesports. com or call (702)436-6887 for hours, pricing and more. Sky Zone can host parties of up to 250 and has private rooms for birthdays and special events. There are even SkyRobics workout classes and an area for the SkyZone “sport” and 3-D dodgeball. Fun and fitness in one package! VID