St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 207

XXJUULXJUUUUL 1 U-4J BRETT'S VEGAS VIEW By Jackie Brett (Nevada Commission on Tourism) owned the Dunes since December 1987, when he bought the resort out of bankruptcy for $157-million. While Nangaku is working on plans for the Dunes, his development company is building a $100-million, 35-story Minami Tower business complex on Las Vegas Blvd. in the downtown area. Vegas owner Bob Stupak has plans to build a super tower on Las Vegas Boulevard. Caught up with his fascination for towers, he recently purchased a 15-foot section of the original Eiffel Tower stairs that led to the third floor of the Paris landmark.

Stupak plans to incorporate his $100,000 stair purchase into this tower when he builds it. The volcano and the $630-million Mirage HotelCasino aren't going to be enough for entrepreneur Steve Wynn. He's thought of something else that's missing in Las Vegas. How about a 60-foot high mountain that will look like Oahu's Diamond Head when it's completed by March 1, 1991! Superstar Michael Jackson was in town for the announcement of Wynn's newest project because he'll be assisting Walt Disney designers with making this dream a reality. It'll cost between 15 million and will include a 160-foot long water slide, two new pools, additional poolside restaurant and bars, and cabanas on the terraced slopes of the mountain range.

The Showboat HotelCasino is working on Phase II of its multi-million dollar renovation plans. Already completed is a 12-foot high security tower in the parking lot and a daily tram service has been initiated from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. By mid-June a new 11-story, four-color animated electronic sign will be built and completely operational. The sign will have 36,000 bulbs and a 30 by 80 feet electronic face, making that portion of the sign nearly twice as large as any other electronic marquee in Las Vegas.

ABOUT TOWN NEWS The MGM lion is back on display at the MGM Marina in the yellow circus tent located in front of the hotel. Seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can have your picture taken with Metro, a 16-year-old lion that weighs about 530 pounds. May was the last month for the Stardust's RV Park. It officially closed last month because of the current expansion project that includes a new hotel tower and an office building for the Boyd Group's corporate headquarters.

Just one block north of Circus Circus behind Arby's, you'll find a new museum. The Guinness World of Records Museum opened recently with a record breaking event. Charly Charles rode a bike that weighed all of 300 grams with quarter-size wheels that measured one inches from axle to axle. Prior to this event, Charles has been in and out of the Guinness Book of World Records for riding the world's smallest bicycle which you can see him do at Circus Circus where he performs on the Midway. The Imperial Palace's Auto Collection has new prices.

For adults the admission is $6.95, senior citizens and children under 12 pay $3, and children under 5 get in free. RESTAURANT NEWS The Riviera has opened a new fast-food court that features nine EXCALIBUR NEWS The Excalibur will open June 19, according to hotel officials. Every week a new announcement is made about some exciting features associated with this mammoth project highlighting more than 500,000 square feet of entertainment space. The Excalibur's atrium will have a three-story high, medieval-style fantasy water fountain that will be 30 feet at the base with five sculptured dolphins that spew jets of water from their mouths. The second level water dish will be surrounded by frogs and the top of the fountain will showcase six lion heads.

Besides all the spouting water there will be vividly colored clouds of mist and colorful puffs of smoke creating unique special effects. The new big show at the Excalibur will be "King Arthur's Tournament." There will be two nightly dinner shows happening in King Arthur's Arena, located on the Fantasy Faire Level of the me-dieval-themed resort. Included in the new elaborate production show will be the role of Merlin played by Douglas H. Baker. For the past five years, he's been the feast director and host for the Utah Shakespearean Festival, and his many other theatre credits make him a sound choice for the magical Merlin role.

Producer Peter Jackson promises that pageantry will abound in this legendary tale of romance and war that will bring King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table to life. The lavish production will include a cast of 50 majestically costumed characters, specially-trained Andalusian horses imported from Europe, pyrotechnics, lasers, fiberoptics and other special effects and lighting. It all sounds enchanting! BUILDING NEWS Dunes HotelCasino officials have announced plans for a $200-million expansion and remodeling project. Details are sketchy because plans are still in the development stages, however, a hotel tower is supposed to be included in the expansion. The present owner, Japanese billionaire Masao Nangaku has restaurants and a vast variety of food.

The three well known chains making up the Mardi Gras Food Court are Burger King, Hebrew National Deli and Baskin-Robbins. The other six outlets are the Pizzeria, Chicky Chicken, Orient Express, Gyros Falafel, Taco Rico named after the Hotel's owner Meshulam Riklis, and La Patisserie Pastry Shop that puts on weight when you look at its offerings. The atmosphere resembles European street scene-style cafes where people can enjoy watching other people go by while they sip their coffees and eat pastries or enjoy a meal. The Mardi Gras Food Court is open 24 hours a day and offers breakfast at the Burger King and La Patisserie. The food court seats up to 300 people and food is available for take-out.

The La Piazza Food Court at Caesars Palace was given the Food Facilities Award of Special Distinction by Restaurants Institutions, the leading food service industry magazine. Restaurants Institutions awards top restaurants for dinstinction in food facilities design. The La Piazza opened last October and it's a multi-cuisine restaurant offering a variety of international food stations. It seats 225 and at night the room is transformed into a lounge with a stage and live music. Recently the Aladdin opened a new Mexican cantina called 40 Banditos.

The chef is the former owner of Las Margaritas on the west side of Las Vegas. Ramon Mata likes to cook in the traditional Mexican style and to prepare his own tamales. This restaurant is open daily from 4 to 1 1 p.m. The Aladdin has also introduced a new Graveyard Chinese Buffet. It's open daily from 1 1 p.m.

to 4 a.m. and the price is $4.99. The Sahara's La Terrazza restaurant has started a new weekend champagne gourmet brunch. It's open from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

on Saturday and Sunday and the price tag is $11.95 per person. CASINO NOTES June is a big month for slot tournaments. Check out the list: Bally's June 24-27 $350,000 Slot (739-4413), Desert Inn June 29-July 2 Summerfest Slot (733-4488), Imperial Palace June 17-19 Slot (794-3261), Las Vegas Hilton June 20-24 "Safari" Superslot (732-5779), Riviera June 21-25 $1.5 Million Slot (734-5110). In August the Westward Ho will hold two $350,000 tournaments Aug. 1-5 and Aug.

8-12 (1-800-223-1709). The Tropicana's swim-up blackjack tables are open again on a daily basis. Guests simply swim up to the tables, take a seat, and place their bets with chips or real money. It's okay if the money gets wet because the tables have a special waterproof layout and the drop boxes are heated to dry paper money. Another thing, picture taking is acceptable at the swim-up tables.

Besides the novelty of the swim-up BJ tables, the Tropicana has opened the first poolside casino with 18 video poker machines that you can swim up to and use. What next bingo in the pool! The Fremont Casino has relocated its poker room to an area next to the race and sports book, the keno satellite lounge and Jake's Bar. Novice poker players can take advantage of free poker lessons at the Fremont on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 9 a.m. At the completion of the one-hour course, graduation certificates are given. The Hotel San Remo is offering a revolutionary pay scale system called Multi-Game Bonus Keno that gives the player an additional 15-percent payback.

The idea is Multi-Game Bonus Keno will put keno in line with liberal slot and video machines. ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Comedy is big in Las Vegas. Mitzi Shore's "Comedy Club" lead the way over five years ago when her young comedians took over the main showroom at the Dunes. Now the "Comedy Store" headlines at the Golden Nugget downtown. Budd Friedman's "Improv" wasn't far behind when it opened at the Riviera.

Over a year ago "Catch A Rising Star" moved into the abandoned MGM Movie theatre at Bally's where the MGM Classics used to play. All three of these clubs are hits and now a fourth club has opened at the Tropicana. One thing all four clubs have in common is each was already successful in another city. Bob Kephart's "Comedy Stop" is celebrating six profitable years at TropWorld in Atlantic City. He sees no reason why his new 400-seat club at the Tropicana can't make it.

The room is dimly lit with candles on the tables giving it an almost cellar-like feel. The stage is small and the ceiling is low. For some comedians who need to move around a lot, the room is actually awkward. For verbal comedians, it's intimate. Latecomers to the second floor theatre will find out that the lopsided width of the room means there are some bad seating angles and there's a couple of posts in the way too.

However, a pair of video monitors are in strategic places to help minimize poor viewing. Ticket prices are $12.95 for the nightly 9 and 1 1:15 p.m. shows and two drinks are ZJ FROM LAS VEGAS $79.00 For qualified $5 bettors MLT offers Friday departures for $199, and Sunday, Monday and Thursday departures for $209. Nonstop flights on Sun Country Airlines. Choose from 18 popular Las Vegas hotels, on the Strip and downtown.

ROUND TRIP Includes: Round Trip Air 2 Nights (Obi. Occ.) Addtl. nights available 3 Gourmet Buffets Daily Cocktails at Casino Bars Midwest Casino Tours Lower the numbers and raise the odds. The following is a sample of our round-trip air (based on 199) and three or four night hotel packages: Controlling your blood pressure can reduce your risk ol hear! disease. Las Vegas Club from $239 Westward Ho from $245 Imperial Palace from $2 49 Golden Nugget from $285 Flamingo Hilton from $305 Mirage from $355 Prices listed represent lowest fares and may only be available on certain departures.

Air and hotel prices are per person based on double occupancy and 4 vary with choice of hotel and departure dates. Seats and rooms subject to availability. MLT charter passengers will receive an OperatorParticipant Contract containing information on charter programs. Prices are not retroactive, and cancellation penalties may apply. Call a travel agent listed below for reservations.

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