Observance of tragedy planned by casinos

David Strow

Friday, Sept. 14, 2001 | 10:10 a.m.

One of the Strip's largest casino operators will dim the outdoor lights at its Las Vegas casinos tonight, while a second was to halt operations on its casino floor for one minute at midday today.

The plans by Park Place Entertainment Corp. and MGM MIRAGE are in observance of today's national day of remembrance in honor of the victims of Tuesday's terrorist strikes in New York and Washington.

Park Place will turn off all non-essential exterior lights at its 20 U.S. casinos at sunset, and has invited its seven international casinos to do the same. The lights will remain off until sunrise.

On the Strip, lights will be extinguished at Caesars Palace, Bally's Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Hilton and the Flamingo Las Vegas.

"The lights of Las Vegas have always stood for happy times," said Park Place spokeswoman Debbie Munch. "It's important that they're off (tonight)."

Park Place properties in Las Vegas have been displaying "One Nation Under God" on their digital marquees for the last several days, and that will continue tonight.

Individual Park Place properties are also making additional observances. At Caesars Palace, a 30-foot-by-60-foot American flag was scheduled to be hung on the south side of the distinctive Palace Tower early this morning. And Bally's and Paris Las Vegas will hold 10-minute, non-denominational memorial services today; Paris Las Vegas at 11 a.m., Bally's at 1 p.m. Both will be open to employees, hotel guests and the public, said Bally's/Paris Las Vegas spokesman Andy Maiden.

In addition, Maiden said Bally's and Paris Las Vegas employees will be permitted to observe a moment of silence at 10 a.m.

MGM MIRAGE, the largest operator of hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, is taking this one step further. At 12:30 p.m., all MGM MIRAGE properties will have a mandatory one-minute moment of silence. All activity in public areas, including casinos, will come to a halt at the Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mirage, Treasure Island, New York-New York and Golden Nugget.

"We believe this is the most profound statement we can make, to stop everything," said MGM MIRAGE spokesman Alan Feldman. "At 12:30 we will stop all activity in all public areas and observe a moment of silence in honor of those who have died or have been hurt, and in honor of those who have been working so hard to find survivors."

MGM MIRAGE began its marquee observances Tuesday night, when it displayed "God Bless America" on the MGM Grand sign. That message is now also displayed on the marquees at other MGM MIRAGE Strip properties, Feldman said.

The Venetian and New Frontier, both independently owned properties, will also observe a one-minute silence at noon, property officials said Thursday.

A host of other properties, both on and off the Strip, are also planning activities:

* The Aladdin is encouraging all employees who are able to observe a moment of prayer or silence at midday, and to light a candle at 7 p.m. The Strip property is also encouraging employees to wear patriotic colors to work today.

* The Riviera will open the second floor of its Mardi Gras Plaza from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for anyone wishing to pay respects to the victims of the attacks. The property will have a non-denominational chaplain on hand to periodically conduct prayers throughout the day.

* In a memo to employees, Boyd Gaming Corp. Chairman Bill Boyd urged employees to participate in Friday's memorial events at whatever times fit within their schedules. The company is also encouraging employees to wear red, white and blue colors to work. Boyd owns and operates seven Las Vegas-area casinos, including the Stardust on the Strip.

* The Sahara hotel-casino will display the message "God Bless America" and a U.S. flag on its digital marquee, starting today. The property will also display this message on its in-room channel. The message will be displayed for one week, Sahara officials said.