John Katsilometes

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Riviera CEO Andy Choy takes a gamble with classic casino: Sunday, May 27, 2012; Ask Andy Choy what he studied in college and he smiles slightly. “I was actually a probability major,” he says after a one-beat pause. “I was a statistics major. So, I actually study the odds and understand it beyond the periphery.” That quality, understanding odds beyond the periphery, is vital to the success of Choy and the hotel he operates, the Riviera.
Business is a family affair for Golden Gaming’s Blake Sartini: Monday, Feb. 20, 2012; Consider the ram, and its significance in the life of Blake Sartini. It is the official animal of his home state — Nevada. When he hunts big game, Sartini often tracks the powerful and elusive desert bighorn sheep.
Las Vegas' gold buckle — the NFR — is likely here to stay: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011; The contract that keeps the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, where it has been hosted since it was corralled from Oklahoma City in 1985, is due to expire after the 2014 event.
MGM Resorts tells Cirque to shutter 'Viva Elvis' at Aria: Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011; MGM Resorts has asked Cirque du Soleil to replace its show “Viva Elvis” at the Aria by the end of 2012, citing poor ticket sales. The move is the first time that the Canadian company, which has come to dominate the big-production showrooms on the Strip, has been asked to shut a show since arriving here in 1993 with its first permanent show, “Mystere” at Treasure Island.
Dave Rice has strong hand in first season as UNLV coach: Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011; If you know Dave Rice, the answer is self-evident. But you ask anyway, because the response flips open his character:
Have you ever gambled?
The 43-year-old head coach of UNLV’s men’s basketball team, a man who has spent much of his adult life in Las Vegas, grins slightly. He blinks, as if waiting one extra count to deliver the obvious:
“No.”
Race for the Nerf: Celebrity/Media NFL Picks Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011; Kerry Collins is the first QB to start a game for Indianapolis since current 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Photos: Smith Center is Ribbon of Life's new home in 2012: Monday, June 27, 2011; Golden Rainbow's Ribbon of Life AIDS/HIV benefit drew 1,100 to Paris Theater, but next year the show will be in the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall ...
George Maloof: TPG partnership good for the Palms and family: Monday, June 27, 2011; George Maloof seems forever to be looking around, pacing through his own Palms resort and competing properties with his head on a swivel, checking out everything from a casino’s carpet patterns to the fixtures in the men’s room.
Daytime Emmys photos: Pat Sajak, Marie Osmond, Oprah and Vanna: Monday, June 20, 2011; There was a roar for Susan Lucci, forever wed to the idea that millions of fans will watch TV during the daylight hours long after All My Children ...
Five unique items up for sale at Gold & Silver Pawn: Saturday, June 18, 2011; Motorcycles, cannons, cars, even Super Bowl rings have been sold or pawned at Gold & Silver Pawn, home of the History Channel’s hit reality show, “Pawn Stars.” Bloody bayonets from the Civil War share space with unopened bottles of Dom Perignon from the 1920s, vintage Coke machines from the 1950s and action figures dating to the 1930s.

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Blog Entries

Turning 40, Wayne Brady is back in Las Vegas to walk the improv wire: Friday, June 1, 2012; Every weekday morning on CBS, Wayne Brady hosts the indefatigable game show, “Let’s Make a Deal.” Yet he says, “I need to place myself in jeopardy.” He is referring to a state of professional risk. Not the game show.
Las Vegas Philharmonic says search for new music director to begin 'immediately': Friday, June 1, 2012; David Itkin sent a letter to Las Vegas Philharmonic officials Tuesday morning stating that he plans to leave the orchestra after the 2012-2013 season, which ends at the same time his current contract expired.
With Shenandoah project stalled, Wayne Newton hits back legally: Friday, June 1, 2012; Wayne Newton and his wife, Kathleen, appeared in court Thursday morning to seek a temporary restraining order against their business partner in the planned Casa de Shenandoah museum project. They got what they wanted, but there seems a long and bitter fight ahead.
Where does a Playmate play when she turns 21? Vegas!: Wednesday, May 30, 2012; Claire Sinclair spent a few days in Las Vegas catching the Frankie Moreno show, dining with Holly Madison at Golden Steer Steak House and hanging out at Crazy Horse III.
Diamond Dave sells it well as Van Halen pours out the power at MGM Grand: Tuesday, May 29, 2012; Van Halen performed in Las Vegas for the first time since 2007, and the result was buoyant, loud, nostalgic and regretfully lacking in vocal quality.
Entering debut at Tryst, Nick Hissom is a model for a rapid rise to prominence: Sunday, May 27, 2012; Nick Hissom has a lot of forces working in his favor -- Steve Wynn and Kenny Ortega being chief examples -- but says if he doesn't produce, none of those connections matter.
Michael Gaughan says no to return of 'Vegas Stripped' to South Point; Steve Wynn has enough nightclubs: Friday, May 25, 2012; "Vegas Stripped" aired on Travel Channel for six episodes beginning in February. Originally, South Point owner Michael Gaughan liked the show. But he's seen enough.
Cosmopolitan sizzling over serving as host hotel for Bravo's 'Top Chef Masters': Thursday, May 24, 2012; Contestants lived at Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for 10 weeks, competing for the $100,000 top prize in the upcoming Season 4 of "Top Chef Masters."
Suffering from respiratory illness, Elton John spikes three shows at Caesars: Thursday, May 24, 2012; Elton John checked into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. on Wednesday and was ordered to take a week off from performing because of a serious respiratory infection.
Jeff Tracta, Rich Little, Jonathan Clark and a few words about impressionists: Wednesday, May 23, 2012; Impressionists continue to permeate the entertainment scene in Las Vegas, with Jeff Tracta and Rich Little performing limited engagements in town and Jonathan Clark leaving the Riv.