The Stardust was the last of the ”organized crime” run casinos. With such a  history, how could we ever forget this landmark? This resort smbolized a mentality of skimming, scamming, and other felony crime. Her history has so many twists and turns that her story was even made into the 1995 movie CASINO staring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone.

The demolition in 2007 ended a yearlong farewell to a 48-year-old resort that was, in its heyday, considered the ultimate in luxury and style. It was a frequent stop of Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack.Hundreds of invited guests and corporate officials watched the demolition from across a parking lot on the Las Vegas Strip, the street of major hotels and casinos that runs through the heart of the city. The building came down in 10 seconds at about 2:30 a.m., the time having been chosen to reduce crowds and traffic congestion.

Four grandsons of Boyd’s chief executive, William Boyd, pushed a wooden lever that signaled to the demolition crew to begin the series of dynamite explosions. Fireworks marked the 10-second countdown in front of the buildings before the explosives were touched off. A planned laser light show was canceled when unexpectedly strong winds blew a cloud of dust toward the audience.

At 2.30am in the morning, the Stardust was blown up. It is a really sad day, but exciting for everyone who saw the fireworks display as it crumbled to the ground. 

The Stardust’s 32 story west tower (opened in 1991) was a prominent enhancement to the appearance of the Las Vegas strip with its purple and violet neon glow. The Stardust, Frontier, and Westward Ho have all been demolished; Sky Condos were constructed south of the Hilton Grand Vacations Club, Encore at Wynn was built just north of Wynn, Palazzo was built just north of Venetian, and a hotel/condo combination called Crown was developed on the site of Wet N Wild Waterpark south of the Sahara. Boyd Gaming began construction on Echelon at the Stardust site; but that project is currently on hold.

Stardust was one of my regular stops for many when walking the strip. Folks liked the quiet, no nonsense atmosphere – no silly themes or tourist gimmicks. There was one particular cluster of video poker machines I have spoke with people played he Stardust 50 cent machines near the south end of the casino. I wonder if one can still hear the sounds of old when passing by where the building once stood.

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Types of Honeymoons

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Unless your dream destination has already been set in stone, first decide what type of vacation you want and then narrow down your list of destinations accordingly.

Resorts are the most popular honeymoon destinations, for they transport you into another world for a miraculous escape from the daily grind. Often set in the most picturesque places in the world, they include pools, private beaches and golf courses, as well as culinary delights and relaxing spas.

All-inclusive resorts streamline the enjoyment process by including everything — your room, transfers, recreational facilities, meals and drinks — all in one price. Without the worries of wondering how much everything little thing will cost, you are free to live the high life and experience everything you want as often as you want it.

If an all-inclusive resort sounds tempting but too stationary, consider taking a cruise. Cruises are floating resorts that whisk you away to one exotic port after another.

Looking for glitter, lights, and 24 hour activities. How about Las Vegas, Nevada. You can find shows, museums, casinos, and much more.

Looking for adventure? Ask us to help find you and your fiance’ some outdoor exhilaration! Whether it’s white-water rafting in Colorado, hiking through the Alps or taking an African safari, sharing the experience will become a vital bond you both will share forever.

Cultural and historical trips are fascinating and romantic ways to reconnect with the past. Visit a famous European city — Paris, London, Rome…the list goes on — and inhale the culture, soak in the sights and experience the art of living. Or dive into the rich history of the old world country from which your family originated. The unique perspective you gain will become a central root for your future family tree.

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Where is Vegas

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Las Vegas is the largest city in Nevada and the catalyst of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. Revenue from hotels (including many of the world’s largest), gambling, entertainment, theme parks, museums, and other tourist-oriented industries forms the backbone of the economy. The nightclubs, casinos, and championship boxing matches are world famous, and entertainment enterprises have led to an increasing array of music, sports, gambling, and amusement centers up and down the main “strip,” as the city succeeded in the 1990s in redefining itself as a family resort, complete with monorail (opened 2004).  Its 1,149-ft Stratosphere Tower is the country’s tallest observation tower. The city is also the commercial hub of a ranching and mining area and has diverse manufacturing, including gaming equipment.

In the 19th century, Las Vegas was a watering hole  for travelers bound for southern California. In 1855-57 the Mormons maintained a fort there, and in 1864, Fort Baker was built by the U.S. army. In 1867 Las Vegas was detached from the Arizona Territory and joined to Nevada. Its main growth began with the completion of a railroad in 1905.

Founded in 1911, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is an organization of business leaders who work to improve their community and the area’s business climate. A volunteer board of trustees governs the Chamber and a professional staff of more than 60 manages the day-to-day operations. A private, member-funded organization, the LVCC is the largest, most influential business organization in the state of Nevada and the third-largest local Chamber of Commerce in the United States. Of its over 6,700 members, 85 percent are small businesses with 25 or fewer employees.

The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Collection contains an incomplete series of minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors as well as general meetings of the membership from the Chamber’s founding in 1911 through 1913, from 1924-29, and from 1944-48. Financial records include a dues ledger from 1911 ( in which minutes of meetings were penciled) and two cash books covering the years 1929-41. A series of scrapbooks of activities of the merchant’s Bureau of the Chamber from 1963 complied by the Bureau’s manager, Ken O’Connell, includes memoranda, correspondence and press clippings and photographs. There are a series of files on the history of the Chamber of Commerce, gathered for the Diamond Anniversary in 1986 including the Calendar produced by the Chamber as well as narrative histories of the Chamber and the Las Vegas News Bureau, photographs, clippings, and miscellaneous brochures and information. The collection also contains a number of Chamber of Commerce publications from 1948 to 1988.

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