All posts by William Carbone

Colorado Information

El Noa Noa Mexican Restaurant in Denver, Colorado

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El Noa Noa
El Noa Noa

EL NOA NOA Mexican Restaurant
722 Santa Fe Dr
Denver, CO 80204 (303) 623-9968

One of the best Mexican restaurants in Denver, Colorado, EL NOA NOA on Santa Fe Drive is an authentic Mexican restaurant in an Hispanic neighborhood that has been around forever. A commercial area of the ‘hood surrounding EL NOA NOA has recently been adopted by a multi-culture art crowd. It is fast becoming a major “ARTS DISTRICT.” O.K. if you’re from New York you have a different definition of the term “major.” So… The restaurant underwent a makeover in the past year, or so.

According to tradition there were 2 dogs, two cats, 2 elephants, 2 zebras, on and on and on and on the ark during the flood. It would make sense then that maybe there were also two Noa’s…Or is that too much of a stretch? Anyway I’ve decided that that is the origin of the name.

Actually it’s the name of a little book the artist, Paul Gauguin wrote about a season in Tahiti in 1891.
Maybe that’s where Noa Noa’s owner got it. This is one of Gauguin’s paintings from that time.

Day God
Day God - From sacred-texts.com

El Noa Noa might be my favorite Mexican Restaurant in Denver. Maybe it depends on the time of year. In the more favorable seasons, weather permitting – the patio is open (see photo,) the trees are in bloom, the fountain is running and on some Saturday nights there is live music. In a perfect storm, so to speak, and all things are happening as they should be happening – this may be it. I can’t imagine a much more pleasant ambiance.

We were there last Saturday night. The late sun was shinning, the band – a South American flute and guitar group were into their music – and we were into some excellent authentic Mexican food and beverage.

I mentioned to the affable Armando that since the patio really helps to make the restaurant they should think about enclosing the patio with glass or acrylic so this little piece of heaven can be enjoyed year-round.

This good look’n restaurant attracts some good look’n people – the people watching is superlative.
The Denver Civic Theatre at 721 Santa Fe Drive is just across the street..
Play’s such as last year’s THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES opened to good reviews/crowds.

The food is excellent: Try the Chile Rellano Plate ($10.25) or the Fajitas ($14.50.) Everything is tasty and authentic…
Prices are moderate. The full bar is serving up your favorite margs. Happy Hour: Mon – Fri, 2-6, check website.

Better hurry though, it won’t be long before the Colorado nights are too chilly to have chile outdoors.

El Noa Noa’s Official Website with full menu and more
Visit the main pages of the LasVegasBuffetClub

Miscellaneous

The moon will be full Thursday, September 23, 2010

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Just the Full Moon
Just the Full Moon

The moon will be 100% full Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 4:18 A.M. Las Vegas time.

From Western Washington University:
“American Indians gave names to each of the full moons to keep track of the passing year. The names are associated with the entire month until the next full moon occurs. Since a lunar month averages 29 days, the dates of the moons change from year to year. Here are titles most closely associated with calendar months.”

Back East

Abenaki Children
Abenaki Children

Abenaki – Northeast, Maine
In the Abenaki language, the name for the September moon is “skamonkas” or “corn maker moon.”

Out West

Pueblo Girl
Pueblo Girl

Pueblo – Southwest, New Mexico

The Pueblo people refer to the September moon as the “moon when the corn is taken in.” No name is given for the September moon in the Pueblo language.

Western Washington University’s website
Old Farmer’s Almanac website
The LasVegasBuffetClub’s main pages

Colorado Information

Denver’s 2010 Great American Beer Festival’s Winners Announced

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Great American Beer Festival
Great American Beer Festival

Winners Announced
The 2010 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition drew an impressive field of competitors, with 2010 topping last year’s entries by nine percent. GABF remains the largest commercial beer competition in the world with 3,523 beers vying for medals (compared to 3,308 entries in 2009).

This year’s GABF competition attracted 151 beer judges from 10 countries. Award-winning brewers received prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals in 79 beer categories covering 133 beer styles, establishing the best examples of each style in the U.S more from The Great American Beer Festival” website

This year’s festival was held on September 16-18, 2010 • Colorado Convention Center • Denver, Colorado.

The Great American Beer Festival’s Official Website.

Unrejectable!
Unrejectable!

BUUUUURRRRRRRPPP!

Las Vegas Food, Las Vegas Gaming, Las Vegas Information

Mexican Fiesta in Las Vegas – 200th Mexican Independence Day Celebration

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Las Vegas is letting out all the stops for the 200th Mexican Independence Day Celebration.

On September 16, Mexico is celebrating 200 years of independence from Spanish rule and Las Vegas is joining in on the festivities all weekend long with parties, food and special headline entertainment. Here’s a roundup of what’s going on: (more below from blog.vegas.com)

Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas
Photo - blog.vegas.com

At MGM
MGM Resorts Intl. introduces VIVA, an extended Las Vegas weekend spectacular from September 15-19. This will be a party to remember! Come to Vegas and celebrate Mexico from one end of the strip to the other.
Hombre 1 Dot Com

The VIVA celebration [MGM]begins Wednesday, Sept. 15 with a sold-out concert by Mexican sensation Alejandro Fernandez and the traditional “grito” – a ceremonial late-night declaration of independence – at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Latin Grammy Award-winners Marco Antonio Solis and Pedro Fernandez continue the Latin music extravaganza Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. A hilarious mixture of storytelling, parodies, characters and sound effects by Gabriel Iglesias will bring the Monte Carlo Theatre to life Thursday through Saturday.

FROM CIRCUS CIRCUS
CELEBRATE MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE WITH ‘VIVA’

9/1/2010
Experience a uniquely Vegas five-day fiesta presented by MGM Resorts International

LAS VEGAS – Just in time to celebrate 200 years of Mexican independence, MGM Resorts International is proud to introduce VIVA, an extended weekend spectacular, September 15-19. The red, white and green blowout takes place across all Las Vegas MGM Resorts properties and welcomes Latino travelers, and anyone wishing to join the party, to celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of Mexican Independence Day from one end of The Strip to the other.

Room specials – check with an MGM hotel.

From Blog.Vegas.Com
On September 16, Mexico is celebrating 200 years of independence from Spanish rule and Las Vegas is joining in on the festivities all weekend long with parties, food and special headline entertainment. Here’s a roundup of what’s going on:

In celebration of Mexican Independence Day, Tacos & Tequila (T&T) at the Luxor will launch the worldwide premiere of “Viva T&T” Wednesday, September 15 at 8 p.m. The wacky rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas” will showcase an entertaining routine choreographed to DJ Ernan’s mariachi mash-up, starring a mini mariachi Elvis and the sexy Elissa cast as a modern-day Ann-Margret.

El Segundo Sol at the Fashion Show Mall is also celebrating all things Mexico on September 16th. “Loco Hour” includes special drinks and food at half price. Try the bottomless chips and three salsas, fried peppers or a quesadilla and wash it all down with El Segundo Sol’s signature Frozen and Shakin’ tableside margaritas. Live music and mariachis will add to the fiesta atmosphere. More from blog.vegas.com

MGM Grand Hotel’s Official Website
Circus Circus Official Website
Visit the main pages of the LasVegasBuffetClub

Las Vegas Food, Las Vegas Information

Here Piggy Piggy – More than you can eat in Las Vegas

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Dessert from Harrahs
Dessert from Harrah's
Pulse of Vegas Blog

Ten years ago, give or take a few years, I mentioned to Tony LaRocco (of The Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas) that it would be really cool if you could buy an all day pass to the buffets. His response was: “they (the casinos) would never do it because they’d loose money.” This was said with his typical Brooklyn, New York / NYU arrogance.

Guess what Tony! It’s happening all over Las Vegas and it’s been happening for some time now.

I don’t remember who started it – maybe it was Circus Circus or Excalibur or…I do know that a bunch of casino hotels are offering the All-You-Can-Eat-All-Day-Long Buffet now and they have been for some time. I’ve been displaying AYCEADL Buffet links on this website since this world-class-all-American-pig-out started. Simply stated the AYCEADL Buffet is just what it sounds like: The buffet’ers can visit a buffet at a particular hotel as many times as they like (in a 24 hour period) from the first breakfast serving through lunch and through the last dinner serving for just one admittance price. The amount varies according to the particular hotel’s policy. For instance *The CIRCUS CIRCUS Hotel is charging $25.00 for their All-You-Can-Eat-All-Day-Long buffet, (kids 4-12, $20.00 per day – kids under 4 eat free.) EXCALIBUR HOTEL is offering an *All-You-Can-Eat-All-Day-Long-Buffet for $24.99 weekdays and $29.99 on Saturday and Sunday. LUXOR HOTEL is charging adults $29.99 for their AYCEADL weekday buffet and $34.99 on weekends. Kids 5+ pay $17.99. PALACE STATION has joined the AYCEADL list, offering “The Feast” Saturday thru Thursday for $19.99 adult / $16.99 child. Friday Seafood Night is $29.99 adult / $26.99 child. Visit the LasVegasBuffetClub’s Buffet Page for more information and links to these (hotel) websites.

Here’s more information:

Buffet of Buffets
Buffet of Buffets

The Buffet of Buffets refers to the All-You-Can-Eat-All-Day-Long-At-8-Hotel-Buffets.
And those buffets are:
Caesars Palace Las Vegas
Paris Las Vegas
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
Bally’s Las Vegas
Flamingo Las Vegas
Harrah’s Las Vegas
Imperial Palace Las Vegas

Visit one of the eight hotels for information.
Some hotels are also offering a Buffet/Hotel package that includes a room and an all day pass to all eight hotel buffets (two night stay required.)

For instance the RIO is offering a room (two nights stay required) and an all day pass to the eight hotels for under $50.00 per night.

The Buffets:
* Carnival World Buffet at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino
* Flavors at Harrah’s Las Vegas
* Paradise Garden Buffet at Flamingo Las Vegas
* Emperor’s Buffet at Imperial Palace
* Le Village Buffet at Paris Las Vegas
* Lago Buffet at Caesars Palace
* Spice Market Buffet at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
* The Emperor’s Buffet at Imperial Palace

This is from Planet Hollywood’s website:
“Take advantage of great room packages featuring the best buffet offer in years! Stay at least TWO NIGHTS at the Vegas resort of your choice, and enjoy two all-day, unlimited-access buffet passes to any of seven world-class buffets.”

Before you go, check to see if the information is current.

*Book two nights at Circus Circus and pay only $20.00 per day for the AYCEADL buffet.

Visit the LasVegasBuffetClub’s Buffet Page
Visit the Main pages of the LasVegasBuffetClub

Miscellaneous

The moon will be full Tuesday, August 24, 2010

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Just the Full Moon
Just the Full Moon

The moon will be 100% full Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 10:05 A.M. Las Vegas time.

From Western Washington University:
“American Indians gave names to each of the full moons to keep track of the passing year. The names are associated with the entire month until the next full moon occurs. Since a lunar month averages 29 days, the dates of the moons change from year to year. Here are titles most closely associated with calendar months.”

Back East

Creek Children
Creek Children
Western Washington University

The Native American Creek (Southeast, Alabama, Georgia) refer to the August full moon as: “big ripening moon.” No name is given for the August moon in the Creek language. (Nor is there a name given for the tea-house.)

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
Full Sturgeon Moon
Some Native American tribes knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full Moon. Others called it the Green Corn Moon or the Grain Moon.

Out West

Hopi Children
Hopi Children
Western Washington University

In the Hopi (Southwest, Arizona) language the name for August’s full moon is: “paamuya” or “moon of joyful.”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

All About the Moon, by Bob Berman – Source: The 2005 Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Here are some interesting facts from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

“With plans in the works for man to return to the Moon by 2020, what better time to review some Moon facts about our favorite celestial body?”
Diameter: 2,160 miles
This is about the distance from Washington, D.C., to the Rocky Mountains.
Average Orbital Speed: 2,287 miles per hour
This number is very close to the Moon’s diameter, making it the only known celestial body that moves through space at its own width per hour. This motion is readily visible from Earth, even to the naked eye, as the Moon shifts its position against the background stars.
Synodic Period, or Lunar Month: 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, 2.8 seconds
This is the average period from one new Moon to the next. read more from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Some information is from Western Washington University and The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Hello Linda…

Miscellaneous

Native American Reservation Customer Tech Support

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Originally published on July 26th, 2010.

Sioux Chief Red Cloud
Sioux Chief Red Cloud

Red Cloud (Lakota: Maȟpíya Lúta), (1822 – December 10, 1909) was a war leader of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux)

The other night I was watching one of those BIO channels on the tube, maybe it was The BIO channel or The History Channel, it doesn’t really matter.

Anyway, the show was about extreme poverty at the Pine Ridge Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. The program also focused on gangs and gangsters on the reservation.

I got to thinking (sorry ’bout that “got to”) and some thoughts came into being. I might be late to the table and if this has already happened, so be it. I’d like to, at least, plant a seed and see if it blossoms.

Here’s the deal: I don’t really have anything against customer support East Indians or customer support people from other foreign countries, but I probably have a bias for our Native American Indians. Long story short: Why aren’t we utilizing Native Americans on the Reservations for outsourced Customer Support for American companies?

In other words, why doesn’t Microsoft, Bill Gates etal step up to the plate and outsource Customer Support work to the Native American Reservation peoples. I’m not aiming an arrow at Bill Gates and Microsoft, just using that example for obvious reasons.

The computer companies etc. could pay for the training, the government could kick in a few bucks and the Native Casinos could provide a few grants. The loop stays within the USA. How could this not be a WIN-WIN .

I’m not so naive as to think that I have come up with a totally new idea, but regardless of who thought of it first, I think it’s an idea that has to get some Etime. Please pass it on if you agree.

New York times article from December 13, 2009
Gang Violence Grows on an Indian Reservation
PINE RIDGE, S.D. — Richard Wilson has been a pallbearer for at least five of his “homeboys” in the North Side Tre Tre Gangster Crips, a Sioux imitation of a notorious Denver gang.

One 15-year-old member was mauled by rivals. A 17-year-old shot himself; another, on a cocaine binge and firing wildly, was shot by the police. One died in a drunken car wreck, and another, a founder of the gang named Gaylord, was stabbed to death at 27. read more from the Times

THE PALLBEARER Richard Wilson, left, has carried the coffins of five gang members from Pine Ridge, S.D. At right, his half-brother, Richard Lame.
THE PALLBEARER Richard Wilson, left, has carried the coffins of five gang members from Pine Ridge, S.D. At right, his half-brother, Richard Lame.

The photo of Chief Red Cloud was used to honor the past in general.

Make a donation to The Pine Ridge Reservation thru the Friends of Pine Ridge website.
Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce Official Website.

Colorado Information

Double your Kellie

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Frivolous Friday The 13th

Double your Kellie
Double your Kellie
Original photo is from Denver’s TV Channel 2, The DEUCE

Since a post the LasVegasBuffetClub did on Denver news chick Kellie MacMullen created so much interest, I thought I’d Double your Kellie. Here’s the original photo from that post and the mirror image, side by side. Thanks to Photoshop, I just flipped the original and uploaded it along with the mirror image to a double wide canvas.
(The original is on the left)

Visit the main pages of the LasVegasBuffetClub

California Information, Entertainment

Was the “Mel Gibson tape” redone?

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The following image is a screen shot of a generic, music sound file. It is not the Mel Gibson vocal, audio file for the tape that has been in the media for the past several days. A vocal file has clusters of peaks and valleys with more white space in between “sounds.”

Sound file1

I’m not a bona fide audio engineer, however I’ve been way down in the bottoms of audio files and I know what can be done with a few strokes of a computer keyboard or mouse. I’m going to weigh in on the Mel Gibson tapes.

When I first heard the tapes I thought that he sounded like an animal in a trap, screaming in vain, not fully cognizant of the fact that he is trapped in the futility of trying to best a vindictive? woman.

Now I’m wondering (after hearing more of the tape) if the tape was edited. I’m thinking: is it possible that someone removed Oksana Grigoriev’s dialogue from the tape (either by erasure or by just lowering the volume handles,) re-recorded her “part” then mixed it into the original audio file containing gibson’s voice? In other words “a mixed overdub.”

Is it also possible that Grigoriev’s words were provocative on a (the original) sound track which was later altered to present a softer speaking voice (and words) which were more defensive than provocative?

It’s not that tough to do. Nor would it be that tough to find someone who could do it, especially in Hollywood. There seems to be just too much difference in the sound quality of the two voices. I realize that the difference could be due to the microphone’s close proximity to Grigoriev.

There’s just something about the woman’s (too) calm, collected, easy manner of speaking that doesn’t ring true. If I’m totally wrong I apologize to the woman.

Visit the main pages of the LasVegasBuffetClub