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Did You Know...
Steppenwolf on its 1968 release, “The Second,” sang about being on a “Magic Carpet Ride.”
...”On a magic carpet ride, you don't know what we can see, why don’t you tell your dreams
to me, fantasy will set you free, close your eyes girl, look inside girl, let the sound take you away...”
Las Vegas is a city that never sleeps; a place where gambling enthusiasts can get their adrenaline fix, whatever the time of day or night.
Now, a new study has revealed that casino patrons may have a lot less say in the matter than they actually think. According to reports conducted earlier this month, the carpets in Vegas resorts are designed to keep customers awake and gambling all night.
With Vegas being a more-or-less total assault on the senses with its neon lights and the beeping and buzzing of slot machines, you’d think looking down at the ground would at least provide you with some respite -- from the looks of it, this isn’t the case.
Casinos are apparently favoring garishly-designed carpets using vibrant colors and patterns in a pre-meditated ploy to stimulate visitors’ visual senses and keep them playing at the tables. Subtle
imagery is also used to encourage their participation, according to David Schwartz of the Centre for Gaming Research.
“Casino carpet is known to exercise in deliberate bad taste that somehow encourages people to gamble,” said Schwartz. “Many of the carpets use wheels – famous to the Romans as a symbol of the relentless capriciousness of fortune. Could it be a reminder that life and luck are fleeting and that one should eat, drink and be merry?”
Photographer Chris Maluszynski, 35, has spent four years snapping the kaleidoscopic designs after noticing them on a business trip. They include samples from the MGM Grand, Bellagio, Luxor and The Flamingo.
He told a London newspaper, “Vegas is I feel the most surreal place in the world. In the middle of the desert you have this huge neon-lit metropolis, which is bizarre in itself. Everywhere you look when you are on The Strip or downtown there are flashing lights to mesmerize you.
“I found myself trying to give my eyes a rest from the chaos by looking at the floor, but there is no respite even there. I noticed the carpets were as loud as everything else out there and I was really blown away by the detail and effort that had gone into them. They are like carpets you see nowhere else.
“Only in Vegas,” as the saying goes. “The outrageous carpets do nothing to distract gamblers at Las Vegas’s most popular casinos. The extreme carpets unleash an assault on the senses in a deliberate attempt to keep tourists wide awake. This is compounded by the fact Vegas casinos and hotels don’t have windows so that customers become confused about what time of day it.”
Whatever the motivation for Vegas’ crazy carpet scheme, one thing is for sure – if you’re looking for a quick-fire cure to insomnia, stick well clear of the Strip.
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Food has become synonymous with Las Vegas…star chefs, excellent restaurants and the endless amount of buffets.
The M Resort has brought a new twist to the local dining experience with an alternative show choice entitled Martini Time with Chef Tina Martini being “performed” inside Studio B, a custom-built cooking studio within the resorts buffet.
Reminiscent of the bygone Strip days when dinner was served prior to your show, your ticket to see Chef Tina in action also includes a trip to what might be the most fantastic buffet in the city.
Believe me when I say, come hungry!
Similar to a network television cooking show, the 60-minute Martini Time with Chef Tina Martini treats the audience to entertaining and educational demonstrations, complimentary food/beverage sampling and a special “handy hints” and “tasty tips” handout. The five-day-a-week show covers a variety of topics centering on three key areas of living healthy: nutrition, fitness and mind/body.
She maybe billed as a chef, but Tina Martini is a performer. She’s witty and charismatic; friendly and charming. She builds an instant rapport with the audience and you don’t have to be any type of cook to get caught up with her demonstration.
Pro of novice, you’ll learn from Chef Tina. Her effervescent persona will instantly win you over. The session I attended featured a vegetarian meal. Not only was it great tasting, it was awesome watching her prepare it while explaining every step. Copies of the recipes prepared at each show are on the table as well as healthy food hints.
Widely known as the “naturopathic chef,” Chef Tina makes healthy living fun covering topics like “Some Like it Hot and Fast, Some Like it Low and Slow” -- BBQ and grilling techniques; “Beautiful Foods for a Beautiful You” -- skincare inside and out; “The Ocean’s Abundance” -- everything seafood; “The Gourmet Vegetarian” -- high-end meatless dishes and “Weight Loss for Food Lovers” -- facts about fat loss while enjoying delicious foods.
“My shows are about real food and real fun. It’s about wellness, eating great and feeling great. I give practical advice, tips and techniques to empower people in various areas of their life,” said Chef Tina.
The obvious question for Chef Tina is…is that your real name?
“My name has become a signature part of my career. It’s fun and it’s a name people love and remember. When I teach about living healthy, it’s not just about martinis…I cook, create and give people tools for better nutrition and fitness.
Martini Time with Chef Tina Martini is presented exclusively inside Studio B Buffet’s intimate cooking studio, which features multiple TV cameras and lights, the latest Viking appliances and state-of-the-art kitchen cutlery and equipment. The kitchen within a kitchen concept was custom-built specifically for an ongoing cooking show.
“So many people want to learn, whether it’s learning cooking techniques, entertainment tips or strategies for better health and wellness. Tina brings tremendous knowledge in all those areas. She’s witty, energetic and most importantly personable. We’re looking forward to having her as our resident show chef,” said Anthony A. Marnell III, chairman and CEO of the M Resort.
Tina Martini is also an internationally recognized wellness consultant. With more than 25 years of experience, she has assisted celebrities, professional athletes and over-scheduled executives to achieve radiant health naturally. She has presented team-building workshops and has developed wellness strategies for large corporations such as Pepsi and Solomon Smith Barney.
In a partnership with Macy’s, she performed hundreds of live cooking shows for Macy’s School of Cooking in San Diego, focusing not only on nutrition but on overall wellness, fitness and mind/body. She has been an educational chef with Whole Foods Market and has acted as a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign.
Chefs Tina’s “performances” are Sundays-Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets prices, inclusive of tax and fees, are $39.95, $49.95 and $59.95. Ticket prices include a Studio B lunch or dinner (depending on show time) and reserved seating at the buffet immediately following the show.
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