Opinion

A CPA's life: In a small firm, personal relationships are key

It being tax season, I pictured a harried fellow who might have trouble pulling himself away from piles of paper. But accountant Adam Hodson arrived right on time, and seemed calm when he did.

20 February 2012
By Bruce Spotleson

1

Academy’s goal: Create ‘SEALs’ of business leaders

A new program that we might all be able to get behind, the Las Vegas Business Academy was unveiled at a Jan. 26 luncheon. It’s the result of a lot of work by longtime food and beverage figure Rino Armeni, whose impact in the industry and our community was reflected in an impressive show of support for the event, held at Guy Savoy Restaurant.

13 February 2012
By Bruce Spotleson

Sneak peek: An inside look at McCarran's Terminal 3

The Las Vegas Strip can be seen Feb. 1, 2012, from McCarran International Airport's new Terminal 3.

When the doors open at McCarran International Airport’s $2.4 billion Terminal 3 on June 27, arriving passengers and locals leaving on international and long-haul domestic trips will see a 14-gate, half-mile-long building with plenty of flexibility. There’s still plenty of work to be done. Most of the electronic equipment hasn’t been placed, and contractors have begun work to finish the terminal’s retail areas and food outlets — which will be expanded gradually as terminal traffic grows.

8 February 2012
By Richard N. Velotta

2

McCarran by the numbers

A United Airlines passenger jet is shown on the ground as a Southwest jet takes off at McCarran International Airport on Dec. 9, 2011.

Embedded within last week’s statistical report on the 41.5 million passengers who arrived and departed from McCarran International Airport are dozens of positives, negatives and what-ifs that will define how successful Southern Nevada’s tourism industry is going to be in 2012 and beyond.

6 February 2012
By Richard N. Velotta

Chamber leader out to add pizazz to events

It was the lunch hour and I was enjoying the down time as I waited at the Famous Dave’s at Craig and Losee. When you’ve got a mobile device with you, you’re never really idle, anyway.

6 February 2012
By Bruce Spotleson

A look ahead from the realm of the paranormal

This is my last column of January, the month of renewed optimism, energized hope, calculated predictions and sober projections.

30 January 2012
By Bruce Spotleson

2

Southwest-AirTran merger looking like a blessing for Las Vegans

Las Vegas Strip casinos are viewed from the window of a Southwest Airlines passenger jet as it takes off from McCarran International Airport on Dec. 9, 2011.

a recent announcement by Southwest Airlines regarding progress in its merger with AirTran gives reason for optimism that Las Vegas not only would get additional seats to the market but a new list of cities with nonstop or direct service by the Dallas-based carrier, the busiest at McCarran.

30 January 2012
By Richard N. Velotta

2

Suburban cities adapt amid economic uncertainty

Back when things were really booming here — you remember those days — a trip from Henderson to North Las Vegas was something you often had to plan your day around. Gridlock ensued on Interstate 15 most weekday afternoons, usually spoiling even the best of Outlook calendars.

23 January 2012
By Bruce Spotleson

After the holiday lull, it's time to get back to business

The most positive aspect of any new year is the optimism it brings. But it also seems to energize a business community — and just in time. After the annual business lull of December, things are starting to happen again.

16 January 2012
By Bruce Spotleson

Mob, neon, nukes: Las Vegas museums capture unique history

Photographers and reporters gather near Frenchman Flat to observe the Priscilla nuclear test, June 24, 1957. During the 1950s, the spectacle of nuclear testing attracted curious members of the public from all over the country. Today, the nuclear testing era is documented and remembered at the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas.

While the Neon Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement and the National Atomic Testing Museum will never be mistaken for the Louvre, all three will be home to significant happenings in 2012.

16 January 2012
By Richard N. Velotta

2

If you'd only asked, I would have told you ...

It’s a new year, which means it’s time to clear out the files. So let’s see how many unconnected topics we can cover in 750 words:

9 January 2012
By Bruce Spotleson

More taxis on the streets for upcoming conventions

A taxi cab drives down the Strip Thursday, April 28, 2011.

The Nevada Taxicab Authority had a special meeting last week to reverse a cab allocation decision involving additional taxis during the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show and the Adult Entertainment Expo.

9 January 2012
By Richard N. Velotta

1

The new DUI: It’s time for distracted drivers to wise up

Combined with the bucks spent by the gloomy Chad Golightly, the dour Adam Kutner, the stoic Ed Bernstein, and a gaggle of others aspiring to become scene-of-the accident household names, local ad spending by personal injury lawyers amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for TV affiliates. Maybe more.

2 January 2012
By Bruce Spotleson

5

The surprising group that could move online poker forward

Those witnessing last week’s Nevada Gaming Commission meeting got a sense that they saw history being made when the board unanimously approved the nation’s first regulations for online poker.

26 December 2011
By Richard N. Velotta

4

Brookings study serves as a guide — if we let it

Pardon me if this sounds shallow, but my first reaction to the new Brookings Institution-SRI International “Economic Development Agenda for Nevada” was that someone probably should have let a newspaper editor work it over before releasing it to the public.

19 December 2011
By Bruce Spotleson
« Older

Most Popular

Follow VEGAS INC

20 Answers

Tell us what you think.

Submit yours »

Answer This!

Is raising the tax rate on casinos a good idea?

Vote now »