Apparently the Riviera, Black Hawk Casino in the Colorado (made over) gaming town of Black Hawk is filing for Chapter 11 backruptcy along with it’s older sibling, The Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada. The parent company is Riviera Holdings.
Here’s a story from Associated Press 07.13.10, 02:58 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas and Colorado casino owner Riviera Holdings Corp. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.
Company subsidiaries Riviera Operating Corp. and Riviera Black Hawk Inc. also filed Monday for reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Las Vegas. They own the 2,075-room Riviera hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip and the Riviera Black Hawk in Colorado.
The filings say the planned restructuring is supported by holders of more than two-thirds of nearly $248 million in debt under a June 2007 senior credit facility.
That could let Riviera Las Vegas and Riviera Black Hawk continue to operate during the bankruptcy process.
The company reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission late last year that it was trying to restructure debt to avoid filing for bankruptcy.
Yea, probably a Chapter 11 Bankruptsy for the RIV. (YAWN)
Casinos rise and fall, make a lot of money, go bankrupt then miraculously reappear, feeling all better now.
In the meantime the small investors loose all their money, the employees get screwed and the fat cats at the top meet at steak houses and smoke cigars after dinner. Nothing wrong with steak houses or cigars (other than the obligatory PC reasons, like this) it’s just in the way they do it.
The RIV ain’t going anywhere unless it’s just to roll the properties over for new construction, or a fatter cat buys them out.
by Grocery Store at the Denver West / Central City KOA RV Park
Celebrating a birthday, four of us went up to Central City/Black Hawk to do a buffet and try our luck at the machines. On the drive up I-70, just before entering Central City – on Central City Parkway – we noticed that the *Gambler’s Edge RV Park was open for business after a year+ closure. Is this a small indicater that business is coming back to the mountain casinos? We’ll wait and see. I called the office and confirmed the reopening of the RV Park. The park reopened May 1, 2010. *It is now called the Denver West / Central City KOA RV Park.
First let me back up for a second. Last week I had an Asian Chicken Salad (a fav) at the Red Coral restaurant on So. Colorado Blvd. in Denver. I saw some coupons in an Asian magazine at the restaurant. One of the coupons was a two-for-one buffet coupon for The Isle Hotel/Casino’s Calypso’s Buffet. I got a couple of coupons for a trip to the mountains.
Yesterday we drove up at around three o’ clock in the afternoon. First I wanted to check out The Ameristar Hotel Casino to see if I had any comps coming so we parked at the free Ameristar Casino Hotel’s covered parking garage and went in. The ladies sat in front of a fireplace and had a cocktail, I went to check for comps and Gregg went to the machines. Three of us were back in front of the fireplace when a very animated Gregg rushed up waving a slot ticket. He had a ticket for $198.00. Not bad for small-time gamers. Working off a very small budget, *I also played “his” machine and stopped when I was around $75.00 up. Not bad at all considering that my “bankroll” was a $5.00 comp I got from Ameristar. I parlayed that five dollar bill into gambling money which I used for the rest of the night. Krissy also was ahead at Ameristar. This sounds like hype, but this was one of the best gambling nights any of us has ever had in Black Hawk. The crowd was lively, the band was hot and the casino was hoppin’. We were several hundred bucks ahead and the night was just starting.
After a bit more gambling we were all getting hungry so we moved the car to the Riviera’s parking garage, walked across the street to The Isle Hotel, refreshed our Player cards, put in a couple of bucks, then moved over to Calypso’s Buffet. I had seen this room before but had never eaten there. The basic design is “Island” with thached-roofs and bamboo, and some other stuff that doesn’t quite work, but that’s another post. Basically it’s a comfortable room. We took a booth against a wall on the oposite side of the buffet tables.
We were all somewhat surprised with the buffet. It was pretty decent, especially with the all-you-can-eat King Crab Legs (7 days.) My favorite – the peel and eat shrimp – were cold, firm and tasty. Also at the buffet tables: an (average) salad-bar with breads, soups and fruit, a build-your-own taco bar, an Asian food station, a carnivor station with roast beef, chicken etc. Some of the other tasty items were: risotto with sun-dried tomatoes, pizza, Swedish meatballs, Tuna Steaks, Bar-B-Que pork, Chicken Piccata, and of course the dessert station with gooey pies, cakes, ice cream and more.
Usually we do the buffet at The Ameristar or The Lodge Casino. We had coupons for The Isle, coupons rule…
After dinner we tasted a few machines at The ISLE then moved on over to The RIV, tried a few machines there then headed back to the city. It was indeed a good night.
Calypso’s Buffet
Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk
401 Main Street
Black Hawk, CO 80422
*I debated whether or not to divulge the following information. I guess I decided to do just that. The killer machine was a [$0.01 – information was deleted august 10, 2010.]
*This information is for professional gamblers and not intended to entice persons to gamble. Although we did ok playing this machine, it could have been a fluke. We are not advising anyone to play this machine or any other gambling machine.
The 20th Anniversary Cherry Creek Art Festival takes place July 4th weekend on July 3,4,5, 2010 at Cherry Creek North (First Avenue and University Boulevard) in Denver, Colorado
Bradford J. Salamon's booth at CCAF
Photograph by WCarbone
Another year has passed and another Cherry Creek Arts Festival is under way, another wave of artists and vendors. New art, old art, good art, better art but not much rain-art, at least not by 3:00 P.M. yesterday.
That is to say that it always rains opening day of the CCAF. We left around 3:00 and at that time it had not rained yet.
All n’ all it was a perfect day for an art festival and though I’ve only seen about half of the artists, I’ll add to the following list after the end of this day.
The paintings in the booth of Bradford J. Salamon of California (above) left a very strong impression. The luxuriously rich oils had a dessert-like icing-on-the-cake finish. Salamon’s impressionistic technique creates areas of photo-realism in paintings of gorgeous faces in salon-like settings.
Bow Tie - Bradford J. Salamon
Photograph from Bradford J. Salamon's website
Vibrant, glossy colors meld into backgrounds of muted browns and golds, at least that’s what’s stuck in my memory.
Waiting in White - Bradford J. Salamon
Photograph from Bradford J. Salamon's website
Salamon is a big guy. You’d guess football player rather than painter of fine oils. Find out more about him from his website: Bradford J. Salamon’s Official Website
Other work that I really enjoyed, not necessarily in any particular order include paintings by Loretta Petraitis who paints rust and stuff in city-scapes of rusted bridges with rivets, bolts and other industrial trapings. Hard, cold realism is nailed and riveted to the canvas. [This is too esotaric, but “all molecules have equal value.”] Loretta Petraitis works can be seen on the web here
Cézanne inspired (I’m sure) oils in oranges and yellows, of oranges and yellows, that’s lemons and oranges to the little people, are executed beautifully by Kelley Somer of Alpine Utah. The colorful, yet stark oils are powerfully vibrant – some suggestive of those chewey, sugar-coated-citrus candy wedges. Glass vessels and silver utensils complement the fruits (in contrast.) Kelly Somer’s work can be seen on her website www.kellysomer.com
Thomas Wargin must have ridden down Hell’s main highway on a motorcycle in order to be able to conjure up the images, in sculpture, of his wild cycle-creatures: part human – part machine, rolling down a road of imagination. Other Bosch-like sculpture includes two (fused) topless women sharing a dress of golden breasts. Thomas Wargin’s website is choc full of sculpture.
These are just a few of the artists that really engaged me. They as well as many other artists can be found on the CCAF website.
I know this is pretentious, it’s just my opinion. You can also have an opinion.
Monday July 5, 2010
Well I went back to the show; it was pretty much rained out last night. Today was a beautiful sunshiny day. I went back but didn’t really find anything that knocked me out. Maybe one or two of the following.
I’m still trying to figure out the “Best of Show.” Best I can figure is that it’s an entire installation piece that won “Best of Show” – in the “Painting” catagory. It’s a hand crafted shipping-crate-type structure (98″ x 78″ x 113″) which is like a little gallery with framed paintings on the walls. Here’s the link, you go figure it out: www.joachimknill.com/national-treasure/crate.html Maybe it could be a dwelling for a homeless family. They would need Street Supplies.
Self Made Man – Photo is from Bobbie Carlyle’s website
“Bobbie Carlyle’s vision of Self Made Man is a man carving himself out of stone, carving his character, carving his future.”
Walking through Denver’s Writer Square some time back I was stopped dead by an iconic (I thought) sculpture of a male figure’s self-emergence from a block of bronze. The block of bronze was cast to resemble a block of stone; the figure is wielding a hammer and chisel. The obvious conclusion, derived from the title, is that the man is in the process of self-creation.
Maybe another way to look at this sculpture is that it is a metaphor for man freeing himself from something. In a very Zen way, maybe it’s a metaphor for a man liberating himself from the physical entrapment of the earthbound body – the spirit/soul trying to leave the body, although the body is doing the leaving. I said metaphor, that leaves a bunch of room for creative license. Another name (my term) for the piece of sculpture might be “I Shall Soon Be Free.” Maybe it’s (profoundly) simply a metaphor for life’s difficult journey.
Well so far I’ve been stumbling around trying to explain a great piece of sculpture with words. I have failed miserably, but the artist has succeded in saying it without words, oh yea, there’s the title. No title is necessary for this monumental bronze.
I was thinking that “I know that I know that piece but I just can’t seem to place it.” I erroneously thought that the sculpture was a classic bronze sculpture, probably Greek or Italian, maybe even a piece by someone like Michelangelo. I went into the nearby Knox Gallery to inquire.
Whoa, I was told that it’s a contemporary work. “She began the first rendition [a 37″ bronze] of the work in Colorado in 1987.” So, it’s not really an iconic sculpture, but maybe something that looks like a famous icon will be someday, or should be. Without a doubt Self Made Man is my favorite piece of sculpture, in Denver, at the present time. It is so very cool. Is this the very essence of sculpture?
“The essence of the sculpture of BOBBIE CARLYLE is captured in the words bold strength and provocative intelligence. She has established her prominence in the sculpture world during the past two decades. Her sculptures in bronze and stone are all executed with imagination and vitality, in subjects ranging from wildlife to western to figurative. Ms. Carlyle has created some of the most compelling figurative work in the art world today, work that causes the viewer to look into themselves with the several layers of meaning. Indeed, it is work that carries a strong psychological appeal; dealing with the full spectrum, complexity of emotion, struggles and triumphs of life. She has studied under many of the notable artists of today and also takes influence from Solon and Gutzon Borglum, Rodin, Daniel Chester French and Michaelangelo. Further, her own life struggles with its hard-won insights, and her seven children have been inspiration to many of her works.”
“Ms. Carlyle received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She has taught numerous workshops which include teaching at the Colorado Institute of Art.”
“Her works are displayed internationally in numerous public and private collections in reliefs, smaller works, life size fountains and monuments. Currently she is working with architects, landscape architects, land developers and art representatives on numerous installations, commissioned pieces and fountains.”
“Bobbie Carlyle has created some of the most compelling figurative work in the art world today, work that causes the viewer to look into themselves with multiple layers of meaning. Indeed, it is work that carries a strong psychological appeal: dealing with the full spectrum, complexity of emotion, struggles and triumphs of life.”
“Bobbie Carlyle’s vision of Self Made Man is a man carving himself out of stone, carving his character, carving his future.”
Artwork – from posters ($55.00) to 14-foot, $135,000 bronze sculptures – can be purchased from the artist’s website or from Knox Gallery. Smaller bronzes are also available.
by *Adobe Moon In The City Poster
c.2010 LasVegasBuffetClub
The Moon will be 100% full June 26, 2010 at 4:31 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
In the Algonquin (Northeast to Great Lakes) language the name for the June full moon is: “twowa kesos” or “when they hill indian corn.” Algonquin Woman and Child
Out West
In the Zuni (Southwest, New Mexico) language the name for June’s full moon is: “ik’ohbu yachunne” or “turning moon.” Zuni Woman
“The full moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are located on opposite sides of the Earth. In this situation, the face of the Moon visible from the Earth is completely illuminated by the Sun. More specifically, the full moon occurs when the geocentric apparent longitudes of the Sun and the Moon are 180 degrees apart. This is a fancy way of saying that the Sun and the Moon are on opposite sides of the sky.” read more interesting moon facts from Universe Today
Partial Lunar Eclipse Coming On June 26 by Joe Rao
“Two weeks before a total eclipse of the sun crosses over the South Pacific Ocean, the moon will put on a sky show of its own — a partial lunar eclipse on June 26 that should be visible from parts of North America, weather permitting.”
“The lunar eclipse will occur in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 26 as the moon crosses through the southern portion of Earth’s shadow in the constellation Sagittarius. At least some of this interesting event will be visible from western and central North America” read more from Space.Com
What is Cool and Hot at the very same time and just across the pond (the pond, in this instance, being Sloan’s Lake on Denver’s West End?) The GB Fish & Chips restaurant on Sheridan Blvd. might be the answer to Denver’s serious lack of ocean views. OK, so Sloan’s Lake ain’t an ocean, just a small park-lake in Edgewater (21st & Sheridan Blvd.) so…
On the night of the last full moon I was heading over to The Edgewater Inn (Howdy Paisano) for a Moscow Mule and saw the familiar GB Fish and Chips sign (I’ve been to the So. Broadway location several times) across the street from Sloan’s Lake. I made a mental note to return on another night, after taking in the view. A very full moon was rising over the city beyond the lake. The reflections of the downtown lights and skyline as well as the brilliant “Planting Moon” were shimmering in the water. Wow! No doubt one of the best summertime, night views the city of Denver has to offer.
The following night I returned, took a walk in the park, snapped a few photos then entered the restaurant. I basically knew what to expect. What I didn’t expect, after grabbing a beer and walking around to the side patio was the familiar feeling of being in a place I know – a restaurant on the beach in Hermosa Beach, CA. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s darn close. Denver is not exactly a beach town.
GB Fish and Chips
GB Fish & Chips is a English-style fish & chips restaurant with football (soccer) on the TVs, soccer jerseys on the walls, wooden picnic tables, booze, and for sure, Fish & Chips. Also on the menu, they offer: Bangers (Al La Carte, $5.95 – Meal, $8.45,) Shepherd’s Pie ($6.95 – $9.45,) Pork Pie ($4.15 – $6.65,) Pasties ($6.50 – $9.00,) Sides (Chips, Beans, Slaw, Potato Chips $1.50) and Soup (Clam Chowder $3.95 – $5.95.)
Back to the Swimmers, battered and deep fried: Cod, Tilapia, Prawns, Oysters, Squid, Scallops and Combinations: Half (Just Fish $5.50 to $7.65,) Half Meal ($8.00 to $10.15,) Full (Just Fish $9.95 to $14.25,) and Full (Meal $12.45 to $16.76.) View the complete menu on GB Fish and Chips Official Website
All meals include one side and a soft drink.
The meal I had on this particular night: Cod with baked beans and cole slaw was very tasty. The fish was light and golden. The sides were small, but adequate and the beer was cold. I’m not really a fish person but someone I know who is a fish person says it’s the best in town. ‘Nuff said!
The side patio (on the left in the photo) is a cozy little outdoor cave with wooden picnic tables and THE view. One can order stuff through a serving window without having to walk inside. Bartender, another beer please.
Not too many years ago the little grouping of businesses (in a several block area along Sheridan Blvd. where GB fish and Chips is located) was seedy at best. You can turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse. Maybe it’s not all that, but this area is blossoming like a rose bush in a back alley. Years ago there was an Italian restaurant on the block. The owner knew the value of that view, but the neighborhood finally brought him down. He gave up and moved on. I wonder if he’s seen the new block?
Speaking of Italian, in the context of this post, would you call GB Fish and Chips proprietor, Alex Stokeld “THE CODFATHER?”
FYI – Yeah I know most people refer to the lake as “Sloan’s Lake,” so I did as well. I’ve read park signs and history articles that name the park pond “Sloan Lake,” but who’s count’n.
Entire post, including the word “CODFATHER” is protected under copyright [C.2010-LasVegasBuffetClub]
The following paragraphs are from the US Memorial Day website:
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women’s groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, “Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping” by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication “To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead” (Source: Duke University’s Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it’s difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860’s tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 – 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis’ birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee read more Memorial Day History
The moon will be 100% full Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 4:07 P.M. Las Vegas, Nevada time.
“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.” This paragraph is from Western Washington University
According to WWU: in the Cherokee (East Coast, Carolinas) language the May moon is “ansgvti” or “planting moon.” Cherokee Woman wearing Haute Couture
Western Washington University
The Shoshone (Great Basin, Nevada, Wyoming) name for the May moon is “buhisea’-mea'” or “budding.”
Shoshone Woman & Child
Western Washington University
by Joan (Joanie) Weston
Sports Illustrated - 1960s
The vintage photo is of the late JOANIE WESTON, pop-skate-tart of the Roller Derby scene. Tart as in the “flavor.” Her persona was that of a very tough lady who was loved by anyone who ever saw her perform. JOANIE WESTON was one of the definitive, cool chicks of the real Rock ‘n Roll era (50s-60s,) not unlike Bettie Page. If her sport had more credibility she would have ranked with top Pop-Culture stars. Roller Derby was sort-of-like old-school pro wrestling, not quite top shelf.
“The Denver Roller Dolls (DRD) is a flat-track roller derby league based in Denver, Colorado. The league was founded in December 2005. The DRD is a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
On January 21, 2010, the Denver Roller Dolls announced a partnership with Kroenke Sports Enterprises and AEG Live Rocky Mountains. The partnership includes the Roller Dolls moving to the new 1STBANK Center (formerly Odeum Colorado and Broomfield Events Center) in Broomfield, Colorado, as their dedicated home venue for 2010.”
Broomfield! Is that where Witches and Warlocks dance under the full moon? I actually have some serious connections to Broomfield. My uncle Art had a working cattle ranch in Broomfield five decades ago, around the days of Joan (Joanie) Weston and The Bay City Bombers – see photo above. Uncle Art was also a practicing lawyer, but he was a good guy, a gentleman rancher.
We used to ride the open-range west of Broomfield. My best recollection and a “fact” I’ve repeated many times is that the range from Broomfield to Boulder was what westerners call “Open Range.” No fences. The horse (Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in New York anymore] I was most fond of was a Pinto/Paint called Patches.
Sundays would find us out at the ranch – riding or watching the automatic milking machines (first of the kind in the area) sucking on the cows’ teats (automatic suction cups were attached to the teats.) [ WHAT DO YOU CALL A COW AFTER SHE’S HAD HER BABIES? ]
FYI – Would you believe that there was a tollbooth half-way between Denver and Boulder! I think the charge was a nickel. A little booth was erected between the east and west bound lanes and a guy took your money. They were raising dough to pay for the road. No traffic jams on that road. One car would pass by about every ten minutes, if I recall correctly..
The subject of my first real ROMANCE (when we were 16 – in the 50s,) later on in the 70s, opened a Country & Western Bar and Dance Hall in Broomfield. Watch out for those first romances.
One other connection to Broomfield, I guess, is that Big Time promoter Chuck Morris ran a club I played guitar in (for a one performance stand) – Ebbets Field in Denver. This ties in: The Roller Dolls are based in Broomfield at 1STBank Center, formerly The Broomfield Events Center.
“A passion for speed and service. A craving for hard knocks and hard-core business. A commitment to the community, our fans and each other. We’re the Denver Roller Dolls, Denver’s premier roller derby league. And we’re proud to be part of America’s fastest-growing female sport.”
“Founded by 20 intrepid skaters in December 2005, the Denver Roller Dolls has gained skaters and fans from throughout the Denver metro area. The draw? Extreme athleticism and full-on fun. For us, roller derby is more than a hard-hitting sport. It’s a place where women of all sizes, backgrounds and skill levels can compete in an intensely athletic and supportive atmosphere. It’s a chance to explore our community through service and volunteerism. And it’s an opportunity to hone our business skills through a completely skater-owned and -operated non-profit organization.”
“When the Denver Roller Dolls aren’t honing their speed, balance and skating skills, putting on public appearances and fundraisers, or volunteering for Denver-based charities, they’re successful businesswomen, sisters, wives, mothers, moms, and friends. What’s more, they’re part of a nationwide revival of one of the nation’s most unique and compelling sports. Not bad for a bunch of dolls!” from the Denver Dolls Official Website
Anyway the Dolls are skate’n the West, check ’em out.
by 
