Masonry Magazine October 1999 Page. 47
It's SHOW TIME In Las Vegas
Las Vegas started out as just a gambling town, but gradually the small desert area has evolved into a Mecca of theme parks, riller rides and extravagant theatrical shows. With revenues exceeding over 8 Billion dollars, three quarters the revenue is still generated from slot machines. The gambling capital originated in the 1940's when Tommy Hull built El Rancho Vegas, located opposite the site of today's Sahara Hotel. This prominent display then inspired other casi-no-hotels along the two-lane highway to Los Angeles. The last of these original "Strip" hotels was the Desert Rose, demolished in 1995. In 1957 topless showgirls were introduced with Minsky's Follies. Today the showgirl tradition is maintained by the Tropicana's attraction of Folies Bergere.
Despite the outward appearance of the town, Las Vegas recently achieved ninth place on Money magazine's table of "Best Places to Live", more than 6,000 new residents move into the area each month and the per capita income is one twelfth highest in the U.S.
None-the-less, residents find gambling a hard habit to forget and part of their daily routine. The community college of Southern Nevada has a casino lab with equipment including roulette heels, slot machines, casino cages, video sur-veillance systems and blackjack tables. Casino noise is even piped in for atmosphere while heaters and card counters keep students on their toes. These professors concentrate on teaching credited courses in gaming regulations and the theory of odds!
Spouse Activities
# Hoover Dam
Thursday, February 10, 10:00am 3:00pm
Tour one of the seven modern civil engineering wonders that includes more than three million cubic yards of concrete. The Hoover Dam was an engineering feat that lifted the spirits of a troubled land during the depression after the great flood of 1905. The design was presented to Washington D.C. in 1922 and six years later, under Herbert Hoover's watchful eye, the Boulder Canyon Project was passed. Construction began in 1931 and the last concrete was poured in 1935-two years ahead of schedule, thus forming the world famous and largest manmade reservoir, Lake Mead. The dam spans 1244 feet across the now tamed Colorado River and rises to a height of 726 feet, more than 44 stories. Time will be allotted to view the film on the historical construction of the mighty Hoover Dam at the visitor's center as well as see the awe-inspiring generating plant on the government-guided tour.
# New Hotel Excursion
Tuesday, February 8, 10:00am-2:00pm
Enjoy a trip through two of the most picturesque European countries, Las Vegas Style. Attendees will have an opportunity to tour France and Italy in the grand additions to the Las Vegas Strip: Venetian, Bellagio, and Paris. The trip will begin with a stroll through the Venetian Square before an idyllic gondola ride down the Grand Canal. Later a walk through the cobblestone streets of Paris will leave everyone speechless when admiring the replicas of the City of Lights, including the Eiffel tower and Louvre Museums. Italy will be just as impressive with magnificent lakes filled with thousands of choreographed fountains in a dazzling ballet-like performance. A trip to Italy would not be complete without visiting the Conservatory of blossoming gardens or the Gallery of Fine Art to admire creations from Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Matisse or Cezzane.