Remembering The 1976 Bicentennial Year

 

It is hard to believe that we are celebrating the 250 birthday of America. Officially, it is called the Semiquincentennial. 

It was only 50 years ago that we celebrated the Bicentennial (the above image was the official logo). I was at the "ripe old age" of 26 at the time.

My parents and I spent the 1976 July 4th weekend (July 4 fell on a Sunday) in Las Vegas, Nevada with my aunt, uncle and two cousins. On July 3, we went to the Stardust Hotel to see Lido de Paris.

According to Google's A.I. overview:

The Lido de Paris was a legendary French topless revue that ran for 32 years at the Stardust Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, debuting on the resort's opening day in 1958 and running until 1991. Produced by Donn Arden, it was a massive, high-tech production that helped cement the "showgirl" as an enduring icon of Las Vegas culture. 

It seemed a little odd (to me) at the time that I should be attending a topless show with my parents and relatives. But it was a good and entertaining show. 

On Sunday, July 4, we drove home from during the evening hours and we took in the fireworks displays of the desert towns and the suburbs of Los Angeles along the way during the drive. 

Above, Nancy and Ronald Reagan arrive at the Hilton Plaza Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following month, I was in Kansas City, Missouri for the 1976 Republican National Convention. I was a Ronald Reagan delegate for California. The convention was held at the Kemper Arena. This was the convention in which President Gerald Ford won the GOP nomination over Reagan. 

Above, Kemper Arena, the venue of the 1976 GOP National Convention in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The California Delegation were housed at the Hilton Plaza Hotel. One day during convention week, I managed to take a snapshot of the Reagans arriving at the hotel for a meeting (above photo). 

It is amazing that I still vividly remember things from 50 years ago.

"EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert" Review

Yesterday, I went to the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup to see the new Baz Luhrmann EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert movie. It is a documentary/concert film. Afterwards, I went to Jerry's Café for dinner before heading home.

The movie focused Presley's early residency at the International Hotel in Las Vegas (circa 1969) and some arena concerts circa 1971-1972.  

Reviews of the movie have been raving and, quite frankly, it didn't disappoint. The only narration was by Presley himself and not any talking heads of commentators. 

Much of the footage I had never seen before. The sharpness and color were great, as if the footage was shot only recently. What really impressed me was the sound. The theater had a great surround system and make one almost feel as if they were in the showroom. 

I was thinking during the movie that it was too bad my mother wasn't alive to enjoy it. She was the big Elvis fan in the family. 

I have to give this movie a strong A+ grade. 

Las Vegas Tourism Down 11%

Above, the Las Vegas Strip in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Las Vegas appears to be losing its appeal. 

Visitation and hotel bookings are down. Some say this is a harbinger of a looming recession. 

The reason is obvious. Las Vegas is no longer the top place to gamble. Casinos are sprouting up in several states, mainly on Native Americans lands.

Las Vegas hotels are not cheap anymore. They used to be affordable. Hotels charging resort fees are also turn-offs to people.  Food is also more expensive. There was a time when great deals at restaurants could be easily found. Frankly, Las Vegas was more affordable and a lot more fun when the mob was running it.

According to Travel and Tour World:

Las Vegas is experiencing a significant downturn in tourism due to a combination of rising hotel prices and growing concerns over bedbug infestations. The city’s once-thriving tourism industry is being hit hard as visitors are deterred by the increasing costs of accommodations and reports of uncomfortable pest-related experiences at major resorts. As a result, many tourists are choosing to stay away, opting for alternative destinations that offer better value and peace of mind. This decline in visitors is further compounded by the negative impact on the city’s reputation, leaving hotel owners and businesses struggling to adapt to these new challenges.

Las Vegas is facing a significant downturn in tourism, with new figures from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) revealing a sharp drop in visitor numbers this summer. June saw only 3.1 million tourists, a marked 11.3 percent decline compared to the same month last year. This decrease is contributing to wider challenges within the local travel industry.

The bedbug infestation is another major crimp. Who wants to get married in Las Vegas and spend the honeymoon night with bedbugs?

To read more, go here.

Circus Circus To Be Demolished?

The last time I stepped foot at Circus Circus in Las Vegas was in 2015 when I took my daughter Amber there so she could interview with the dolphin show at The Mirage. We stayed at the Circus Circus RV Park.

Three days ago, Las Vegas Strip - Trip Reports Facebook page posted the following:

BREAKING LAS VEGAS

While an official announcement has not yet been made, rumors are growing that Circus Cicrus Hotel in Las Vegas will be demolished and replaced with a new luxury resort by a world known brand that I cant directly say yet. I would stop in several more times if you have the chance. Circus Circus is apparently up for Sale!

Circus Circus has been a popular hotel and casino since the 1960s. It was featured the 1971 James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever starring Sean Connery. We stayed at the hotel tower in 1986 when I got married.

It has been a bit rundown in recent years. This has also fed to rumor mill.  

It would not come as a surprise if the rumors turn out to be true. Too bad, if so.

RVer's Guide To Visiting Hoover Dam

Above, Hoover Dam in 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last time I visited Hoover Dam was six years ago with a couple of friends.

We stayed in Las Vegas and took a drive to Hoover Dam. I had been there before in 1973 which was years before the Memorial Bridge (which offers great views of the dam) was built. During the 1973 visit, we took a tour of the dam's power plant.

Above, a view of Memorial Bridge from the dam. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel has posted an article, "An RVer's Guide To Visiting Hoover Dam and Beyond".

It starts off with:

Hoover Dam is a sight to behold, especially for RVers who can take advantage of the nearby Lake Mead area as a base for exploration. If you’re planning upcoming RV trips, you really should consider this one.

To read more, go here. 

Police Probe: Are The New Years Terror Incidents Related?

Above, the Las Vegas Trump Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Investigators are looking into the terror incidents on New Years to see if they are related.

It seems quite possible since they came within hours of each other.

According to the BBC:

Police in the US are investigating whether an explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas is linked to the deadly car-ramming attack in New Orleans.

The driver of a Tesla Cybertruck was killed and seven other people were injured in Las Vegas after the vehicle - filled with fuel canisters and firework mortars - exploded. Officials said all injuries were minor.

In the New Orleans attack, a 42-year-old US citizen is believed to have driven a pick-up truck into a crowd on a busy street, killing 14 people and injuring 35, before being shot dead by police.

President Joe Biden said investigators were looking into whether the two incidents were linked, but "thus far, there is nothing to report".

To read more, go here. 

Terror Attacks Add Urgency To Trump's National Security Priorities

 

New Year’s Day terror attacks add urgency to Trump’s plans to reprioritize national securityhttps://t.co/C9VwrZsfjD pic.twitter.com/ZN6o877F4H

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) January 3, 2025

Trump's Las Vegas Rally

Above, the Las Vegas rally last night before Trump's arrival. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Last night, I went to bed a bit later than usual as I watched the Trump rally from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nevada is a battleground state and is important as to the outcome of this election.

Friends Mitch & Holly Geriminsky and Dwight & Sandie Kuntz attended the rally at the World Market Center. I was able to watch the rally on Live Now On Fox.  

Trump was scheduled to arrive at 7:00 PM, but was 40 minutes late. I was in text contact with Mitch and Holly and was able to tell them when Trump's plane landed.

Above, Donald Trump addresses the Las Vegas rally. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many speakers spoke before Trump's arrival, including former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to recounted being put on a terror watch list by the FBI after an appearance on the Laura Ingraham Show. She said a FBI whistleblower exposed this and he ended up getting fired and doxxed. The Biden-Harris Administration are using the FBI as their personal Gestapo secret police against political opponents. This will only get worse if Harris wins in November. 

Speaking of tyranny, Gabbard said last night that this is an election of "freedom versus tyranny."

The rally looked like a lot of fun.

By the way, the latest Rasmussen poll has Trump up 6% over Harris.

What Is The Age To Gamble In Las Vegas?

Above, slot machines in Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During the cruise to the Bahamas, I did some gambling in the Norwegian Sky casino. I played roulette and ended up making $60.

Roulette has been my favorite table game. I first started playing it in Las Vegas at the "ripe old age" of 19. Yes, I was illegally playing as Nevada law stipulated that one must be at least 21 years old to play. Yes, teens do crazy things. I must have looked at least 21 as I was never questioned.

This got me thinking, What is the current age to gamble in Las Vegas?

Well, it is still 21.

According to Casino.com:

Now comes the real question: “How old do you have to be to gamble in Vegas?” Though it is a hedonist destination, there are rules. And like the rest of the United States, the rules dictate that all players must be at least 21 years old in order to play.

Each establishment that offers gambling has to get a license from The Nevada Gaming Commission. Whether it be for a handful of slots or a full-service casino, the same rules apply. Both the Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board fully expect license holders to adhere to the regulations and laws that have been put into place to protect the perception and integrity of the gaming industry as a whole.

Failing to adhere to those stringent rules comes with heavy penalties. Like the six-figure-fine kind of penalty. There are even some cases where an establishment can have its license revoked without measures to improve security.

For that reason, casinos and any other establishment that offers gambling is strict about the “21 or older” rule. More importantly, the casinos aren’t the only ones being governed here. Anyone caught trying to play at a casino that is underage faces penalty as well.

In Nevada, anyone gambling in a casino that is under the age of 21 faces a fine of up to $1,000 and a jail sentence of up to 6 months. At the very least, expect to sit in a jail cell for a night and be forced to stare down expensive legal bills.

There are stories of underage gamblers who have won massive jackpots only to be forced to give them up because they were underage. Vegas staff has been trained to spot a fake, which means there is an exceptional chance of getting caught.

Some states have the same 21 years of age laws and some do allow 18-year-olds to gamble. If one is in a state where you must be 21 years old to gamble, it is best not to do it for the reasons stated above.

The Mirage Hotel Now History

Above, The Mirage's sign on Las Vegas Blvd. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas is now history.

It had been acquired by and will be transformed into the Hard Rock Las Vegas, which will be a two-year project.

Above, The Mirage in January 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to PR Newswire:

LAS VEGAS, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock International (HRI) today announced its plans to cease operations of The Mirage Hotel & Casino as of July 17, 2024, to begin the transformation of the property into the highly anticipated Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas (HRHCLV).  

Hard Rock will develop a new integrated resort featuring a nearly 700 ft. guitar-shaped hotel towering prominently in the center of the famous Las Vegas Strip. 

Above, yours truly in front of The Mirage in April 2015. Photo by Amber Vaquer.

I stayed at The Mirage once, which was over New Years in 2015-16 and saw "The Beatles Love" show. I had been there once before when my daughter applied to work in the hotel's dolphin show. We stayed in the motorhome at Circus Circus RV Park on that trip, which was the first for the RV after I bought it. 

To read more, go here.

The Mirage Hotel To Close In July

Above, The Mirage on January 2, 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As if we needed a Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

The Mirage Hotel, where I stayed over New Year's during 2015-16, will be no more this coming July.

According to the Vintage Las Vegas Facebook page:

The Mirage will close July 17, 2024. The landmark Strip resort is shutting down to be remade into Hard Rock Las Vegas.

I rather liked The Mirage Hotel. I will be sorry to see it go. 

I suppose this also means the end of "The Beatles Love" show will end as well, unless it moves elsewhere.

Transitioning From A Travel Trailer To A Class C Motorhome

Above, overnighting in Las Vegas during my 2017 Great
American Eclipse trip to Idaho. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first RV I had was a Starcraft folding camping trailer (or tent trailer). I got good use out of it.

I traded it up for a Gulf Stream micro-mini Class C motorhome on a Toyota chassis. It was big enough for our family of four.

Currently, I have a 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie Class C. I figure it will be my final RV since I am now 70. It has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.

Do It Yourself RV has posted an article on the experiences of a couple who transitioned from a travel trailer to a Class C motorhome.

It begins with:

Switching from a travel trailer to a Class C RV was a big step for my husband, Todd, and me. It marked the start of a new chapter in our lives as full-time RVers, one filled with more freedom and less financial burden. Our journey into RV living began back in 2018 when we realized that owning a home wasn’t necessary to fulfill our dreams of seeing the country and enjoying our retirement years to the fullest.

To read the full article, go here. 

Las Vegas Better Deal Under The Mob?

Above, looking south on the Las Vegas Strip. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've been catching up on 1990s movies in all genres.

The latest was the 1995 Martin Scorsese movie, Casino. It stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone and James Woods.

It is based on real-life events that led to the downfall of the Mafia's control of Las Vegas casinos.

The movie's synopsis:

In early-1970s Las Vegas, low-level mobster Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) gets tapped by his bosses to head the Tangiers Casino. At first, he's a great success in the job, but over the years, problems with his loose-cannon enforcer Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), his ex-hustler wife Ginger (Sharon Stone), her con-artist ex Lester Diamond (James Woods) and a handful of corrupt politicians put Sam in ever-increasing danger. Martin Scorsese directs this adaptation of Nicholas Pileggi's book.

The real-life hotel the Tangiers Casino was based on was the Stardust Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. It is quite entertaining. The senator in the movie (played by Dick Smothers) was based on Sen. Harry Reid (so I've been told). 

My grade on the movie: A-.

The movie got me thinking: Was Las Vegas better when it was run by the Mafia?

Back in 1973, two friends and I spent spring break in Las Vegas and I came home with half of what I brought with me. I did well at the Hacienda Hotel's roulette tables. Food was cheap. I have the feeling that others do that Las Vegas was a better deal when it was run by the mob than with the greedy corporations who run it now.

Here's some snippets on this from an article in the Las Vegas Sun:

Things were better when the Mob ran this town. We hear this often enough to make it almost a cliché, and with last week’s opening of the Mob Museum, er, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, it seems like an argument worth examining.

Also, think of the extreme irony of claiming there was less crime when the Mob ran the town. “They were out doing burglaries!” Green quipped, referring to the “Hole in the Wall Gang.”

As I learned at the museum, which opened Valentine’s Day on Stewart Avenue downtown, the skim at the Stardust was $7 million per year; at the Flamingo, it was $36 million from 1960 to 1967; at the Tropicana it was $150,000 per month. That money was stolen from the community and sent to criminal gangs back East.

(Given the events of the past few years, I can appreciate that, for many people, banks vs. organized crime is a close call.)

As Sloan notes, cocktail waitresses, bartenders and maître d’s made great money in Mob days, in part because the IRS wasn’t as rigorous about collecting taxes on tips. The casinos didn’t have to report when someone won a big jackpot, and let’s remember that there was no competition from Atlantic City or anywhere else.

As for the food? If you look hard, you can still find a $7 prime rib dinner, though I’m not sure why you would. Our food these days is more expensive, but it’s also far better.

From the Texarkana Gazette:

But over the years, the old guys died off and successful prosecutions ran off much of the hidden ownership of the gambling clubs.

And that's too bad-at least in my opinion. The mob knew how to run a casino.

They expected the casino to make money and didn't care if the rest of the place showed a loss. Give enough play at the tables and everything was free. But even the low-rollers who stuck to the nickel slots got a cheap room and cheaper meals. Drinks were free at the tables and machines and didn't cost much more at the bars.

Today, the odds of winning are worsening. One now has to bet more to win less.

From the Daily Mail (U.K.):

Gamblers are wagering more than ever in Las Vegas as casinos increase odds and reduce payouts in some of the most popular games.

Blackjack losses on the Strip were nearly $1 billion last year, according to official figures - the second highest on record after 2007.

The increase comes as casino bosses attempt to draw in 'higher value customers' while players with less cash to wager are priced out.

Roulette has also had odds increased in many places. The number of triple-zero tables - which add another slot to the wheel and increase the odds of hitting a chosen number - has increased.

Minimum bets are also rising, meaning players must risk more cash to play games.

The changes, reported in an analysis by the Wall Street Journal, also come as the overall price of a vacation to Las Vegas increases, with costs at hotels and restaurants also on the rise.

These days, I rarely go to Las Vegas. When I do, I don't gamble as I used to. I rarely go gambling at the local Red Rock Navajo Casino in Gallup. I just go there for their prime rib special on Fridays.

Breakdown of The History of UFO Crashes

Above, a crashed UFO diorama at the Roswell International UFO Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I have been holed up indoors due to rain and snow showers and not having posted anything pertaining to Unidentified Flying Objects in a while, here's a story that caught my attention.

If you thought Roswell, New Mexico was the first (in 1947) UFO crash, well, you're mistaken. The Trinity atomic bomb test in 1945 (two years before Roswell) caused UFO to crash. 

KLAS (out of Las Vegas) has an article with the breakdown of the history of alleged UFO crashes.

They begin it with:

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Stories about crashed saucers and coverups have been around since the end of World War II. But now, these stories are being taken seriously in Washington.

When former intelligence officer David Grusch testified last July about nonhuman craft hidden away for decades inside special access programs, it caught some members of Congress and major media off guard.

However, the lore of crashed saucers and dead aliens is hardly new and the claims have leaked out many times in the past 76 years.

The grandfather of crashed saucer tales is Roswell. A story that didn’t emanate with UFO nuts, but came from the U.S. military.

To read more, go here. 

Universal Monsters At Fire Rock Navajo Casino

Above, Bela Lugosi's Dracula slot machine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following Larry Lucier's physical therapy session in Gallup last evening, we headed over to Fire Rock Navajo Casino for dinner. Neither of us had been there for quite a while and we wanted to see what they had on their menu at their restaurant, Cheii's, these days.

He had fish & chips and I tried out their brisket sandwich special. Both were quite good and we found the meals to be less expensive than at the El Rancho Hotel. Another plus, they have a bar and we had Margaritas to start.

Since the majority of their clientele are Navajos, the restaurant has several lamb dishes for them to choose from. Navajos seem to favor lamb in their diets.

Above, Margaritas before dinner.

After dinner, we wandered around the casino and watched some players playing craps, blackjack and roulette. Each table game has a five dollar minimum bet rule. Neither of us played, just watched. Larry said the last time he was there, there were no table games, just slot machines. That was around 12 years ago when the casino opened. I told him that I had played roulette there a few times. I don't recall if they provided free liquor to players like Las Vegas casinos. They definitely don't provide free cigarettes as it is a non-smoking casino. The last time I saw free cigarettes at a table game was seven years ago at The Mirage in Las Vegas. 

Above, a Universal Monsters-themed slot machine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the casino, I noticed some Universal Pictures monster-themed slot machines. Each featured Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, Wolf Man and Bride of Frankenstein. Occasionally, a small video clip of each movie would pop up on the screen. I was wondering as the time if they were properly licensed by Universal and, by extension, the families of each monster (such as Bela G. Lugosi, Sara Karloff and Ron Chaney).

There was occasional rains coming through the Gallup area. But it stopped by the time we headed back to Jamestown. 

Last Mile Motorcycle Hearse Company

Above, the trailer containing the motorcycle hearse. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While Mitch Geriminsky and I were staying at a motel when we attended the National Money Show in Phoenix, we saw an interesting trailer.

It was for a hearse of Last Mile Motorcycle Hearse Company. If a loved one is to go out in style, this would be a way to do it.

Above, the hearse. Photo by Armand Vaquer

The hearse plays music and can display a photo of the deceased. 

The operators were putting the wheel fenders on the hearse and we walked over to chat with them. They are based in Las Vegas, Nevada and can go pretty much anywhere in the Western United States. They were in town for a funeral service.

According to their brochure, their services include:

• H2 Hummer Pulled Coach
• Casket or Urn
• Music Included
• UrnArk Included 

For more information, go to www.LastMileMHC.com. 

 

The Stardust and Lido de Paris

Above, the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas back in the day.

Earlier, I saw a story about congress passing a resolution asking the U.S. Mint to mint a commemorative coin in 2026 for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. The article mentioned that this would coincide with the 250th anniversary of our independence.

It is hard to believe that in three years it would be 50 years since we celebrated the nation's bicentennial in 1976.

My family celebrated bicentennial Independence Day weekend in Las Vegas with my aunt and uncle and a couple of cousins. One of the things we did was to take in the "Lido de Paris" show at the Stardust Hotel. It seemed a little bit weird at the time that our parents took us to a Las Vegas "titty-flop" (yes, there were some topless showgirls) show. But we (my cousins and I) were of age and survived. We had a great time.

The Stardust is long gone. It closed on November 1, 2006, and the two hotel towers were imploded on March 13, 2007.

Those were the days when Las Vegas wasn't crowded, affordable and was fun.

Here's a video about "Lido de Paris":

Ike and Susan B. Anthony Dollars

Above, a 1978 Eisenhower and 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two more coins I found this morning from the box of stuff from the strongbox were a 1978 Eisenhower dollar (also called the Ike dollar) and a 1979 Susan B. Anthony dollar. 

Neither are worth too much, maybe a little bit over denominational value. Of the two, the Anthony dollar is probably worth less than the Eisenhower dollar. It was just an unpopular coin, it is about the size of a quarter. Since it was introduced during the administration of President Jimmy Carter, critics called the Susan B. Anthony dollar the "J.C. penny".

On the Susan B. Anthony dollar, from Wikipedia:

The Susan B. Anthony dollar is a United States dollar coin minted from 1979 to 1981 when production was suspended due to poor public acceptance, and then again in 1999. Intended as a replacement for the larger Eisenhower dollar, the new smaller one-dollar coin went through testing of several shapes and compositions, but all were opposed by the vending machine industry, a powerful lobby affecting coin legislation. Finally, a round planchet with an eleven-sided inner border was chosen for the smaller dollar.

The original design for the smaller dollar coin depicted an allegorical representation of Liberty on the obverse, but organizations and individuals in Congress called for the coin to depict a real woman. Several proposals were submitted, and social reformer Susan B. Anthony was selected as the design subject. The reverse design of the Eisenhower dollar was retained, an engraving of the Apollo 11 mission insignia showing an eagle landing on the Moon. Both sides of the coin, as well as the rejected Liberty design, were created by Frank Gasparro, the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint.

One and a half billion coins were struck in anticipation of considerable public demand, but the Anthony dollar was poorly received, in part because of confusion caused by its similarity in size and metallic composition to the quarter.

On the Eisenhower dollar, from Wikipedia: 

The Eisenhower dollar was a one-dollar coin issued by the United States Mint from 1971 to 1978; it was the first coin of that denomination issued by the Mint since the Peace dollar series ended in 1935. The coin depicts President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the obverse, and on the reverse a stylized image honoring the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon mission based on the mission patch designed by astronaut Michael Collins. Both sides were designed by Frank Gasparro. It is the only large-size U.S. dollar coin whose circulation strikes contained no silver.

In 1965, because of rises in bullion prices, the Mint began to strike copper-nickel clad coins instead of silver. No dollar coins had been issued in thirty years, but, beginning in 1969, legislators sought to reintroduce a dollar coin into commerce. After Eisenhower died that March, there were a number of proposals to honor him with the new coin. While these bills generally commanded wide support, enactment was delayed by a dispute over whether the new coin should be in base metal or 40% silver. In 1970, a compromise was reached to strike the Eisenhower dollar in base metal for circulation, and in 40% silver as a collectible. President Richard Nixon, who had served as vice president under Eisenhower, signed legislation authorizing mintage of the new coin on December 31, 1970.

Although the 40% silver collector's pieces sold well, the new base-metal dollars failed to circulate to any degree, except in and around Nevada casinos, where they took the place of privately issued tokens. There are no dollars dated 1975; coins from that year and from 1976 bear a double date 1776–1976, and a special reverse by Dennis R. Williams in honor of the bicentennial of American independence.

As Wikipedia states, the Eisenhower dollar circulated around Nevada casinos. They were fun to use when I spent Spring Break in Las Vegas in 1973, especially while playing roulette. I thought the Susan B. Anthony dollar was too much like a quarter and the portrait of Anthony was ugly (like a hag or wicked witch). 

I am definitely keeping the Eisenhower dollar as they are not easy to find. I haven't seen a circulated one in decades.

Bye-Bye To The Mirage's Volcano

Above, a daytime view of the Mirage volcano in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Looks like the new owners of The Mirage hotel and casino in Las Vegas will be doing away with the iconic volcano that is situated near Las Vegas Blvd. on the Las Vegas Strip.

According to the Las Vegas Sun:

Hard Rock International will do away with the Mirage volcano once construction begins to renovate and rebrand the property, the company’s CEO said.

“While we’re very respectful of the legacy of the volcano, we recognize that that is part of the Mirage of the past,” Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen during a Nevada Gaming Commission meeting today.

“We will not be continuing to operate the volcano once we commence construction,” he said.

Allen made his comments during a special meeting to consider approval of the $1.075 billion purchase of Mirage operations from MGM Resorts International.

Commissioners voted to OK the deal, which is expected to close as soon as Monday.

To read more, go here. 

Sam Brinton's Mugshot

The mugshot of ex-Department of Energy official (and two-time luggage thief ) Sam Brinton has been released. 

His bail has been set at $15,000 after being booked by the Las Vegas Police.