dlv Hotel notes and various items ...

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This is the general Diva Las Vegas 2002 mailing list.
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. . . . .
In this mailing:

This mailing
Heads up
Phone number correction
Blonde
Venues
Leonard's Wide Shoes
Skydiving
Pajama Party
A couple of thoughts
Room rates
Hotel notes
Mailbag
Boardwalk feedback
Imperial Palace feedback
Pre-registration is open
Room sharing
Web Sites (updated)
Summary Schedule of Activities (updated)
Administrivia
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Only 94 days left, gang!
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This mailing:

Welcome to those who just joined. We had over 30 join this list over the
past week. Word seems to be getting out! If you have any questions or
concerns, please let us know.

This mailing is quite large, with a lot of various items, some which
are digressions, various mailbag items and such. We do have a few
hotel-related things, and some unbiased opinions on two of the
hotels we're suggesting.
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Heads up:

90 day in advance prices expire early this week. Don't procrastinate! :)
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Phone number correction:

Bob's phone number (IP and Boardwalk rooms) printed last week was an
old one and is incorrect. Correct number is: 702-365-0008

Sorry, Bob. {blush}
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Blonde:

>If we have a blond day will someone have to volunteer to remain
>non-blond so we don't get lost and we have someone to ask what we're
>doing? :-)

Very good point. :) Any volunteers? :)
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Venues:

>Where in Las Vegas is the event being held? What hotels & Casino's are
>near there?

Various activities are all over. No central location. We're suggesting
the Boardwalk, Sahara, and Imperial Palace for our people. In almost all
cases, rides will be available to all activities.
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Leonard's Wide Shoes:

Stefanie writes:

>Girls, I had a most enjoyable shoe buying experience at Leonard's Wide
>Shoes last year during DLV 2001. I went there "en drab," but was
>treated with the utmost respect and professionalism by two male sales
>persons, one of whom I think was the owner or a manager.

>I explained my need for feminine shoes and was assured that I was at
>the right place for a good fit and good selection. He measured my foot
>for the feminine size needed (very important) and was surprised because
>I had been buying the wrong size! I selected several styles from the
>display wall. He then brought the shoes out for me to try on, plus one
>or two other pairs he thought would look good on me. He even advised me
>on the fit of each shoe. I found two pumps which fit very well and
>snapped them up.

>I would wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Leonard's Wide Shoes. The
>parking couldn't be easier, right in front of the store and it is very
>easy to get to, just down the street a block or two from Mandalay Bay,
>on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd., in a little strip mall. I left
>there with two pair of well fitting pumps and a very satisfied shopping
>experience.

Thanks for the report. I'll be adding this to the big list on the web
shortly. Glad your experience was positive.
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Skydiving:

>Yea the windtunnel would be more affordable for all, it only 20 bucks,
>whereas a tandem jump I check ran around $179.00 {or} more.

>did the tandem jump a couple years ago, it is a trip lots of fun.

Any more interest, for either or both?
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Pajama Party:

>Yes that would be nice, if everyone dressed in their skimpy and sexy
>nighties, {it} could make for a very nice and fun time. I would love
>that.

This seems to be a very popular idea here. :)

More information on this activity will be in the next mailing.
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A couple of thoughts:

Vicki writes:

>Vegas Girl Wigs is the most T-friendly wig shop in Las Vegas.

I would agree with that. I can't ever remember hearing a single
complaint about them.

>If you check out EBay, and key in -- wig vegas -- you will find many
>of their wigs for sale. Most are "big" wigs and are shipped to you
>styled. If you email Vegas Girl wigs and ask they will put up for
>auction a wig that you would want to buy. Or you can buy just about
>any kind of wig you want from them directly.

>Serge's has very nice wigs, but most are expensive.

True, but their main store is not intended to be deep-discount. Their
Wig Outlet is far less expensive.

They do have a history of being t-friendly and our people usually report
good service, but T.T. doesn't care for their turn-around on styling.

>There are a lot of parks in Vegas. A mid-week picnic could be fun.

True, all it will take is for somebody to coordinate it and put it on
the schedule.
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Room rates:

Mindy writes:

>regarding the budjet suiets ect.. i know the prices seem good but
>consider a few things. not convient to most of the venues or hotels
>most of the girls are staying at so cab or car hassels should be taken
>into acct.

This is very true for those who want the convenience (and the glitz)
of a casino hotel, especially those without a vehicle.

However, for many of our people, the bottom line is the bottom line,
and the numbers (at the extended stay places) are very attractive.

Our own company travel people are now pushing the extended stay places
for those who stay anywhere for more than 1-2 days. So far, people have
been happy with them.

>security is not what you would get at a regular casino. and no on site
>resturants bars ect.. so again car or cab hasssels.. people i have
>spoke to who have used the facilites in the past have regreted not
>spending the extra 8 to 12 dollers a night.

I do like waking up and going directly to breakfast (or maybe lunch
<bfg>) as soon as I get ready, plus I enjoy losi^H^H^H^Hplaying a bit
(and free drinks, of course) before going to bed.

If the differential is actually $8-12 per day, I would have to agree
that the amenities of the casino hotel would more than make up the
difference. It does appear that the real-world differential between
an extended-stay place and a midscale casino-hotel is far more than
$8-12 per day.

Update: Just checked a few sites to be sure, and the Sahara and some of
the Station properties are now quoting some very attractive rates for
the DLV period. If this trend is followed by other properties, I would
have to agree that the casino hotels would probably be a better choice.
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Hotel notes:

Tina has requested that we copy part of a conversation from the DLVORG
list over here to the general list.

Among other things, Tina has requested feedback (to this list) from
anybody who has actually stayed at either the Boardwalk or the IP.

Tina writes:

>I want to get back to a discussion of hotels. About a month ago, the
>newsletter posted the question: has any DLV girl ever stayed at the
>Boardwalk? I also asked for feedback from IP overnight guests. I
>don't remember seeing any response, so let's ask again. Please send in
>your impressions from staying at either hotel.

I have stayed at the IP, but not for DLV. I've also visited the rooms of
several DLV people there, both in the towers and motel section.

It's a clean and comfortable midscale strip casino-hotel. As long as
you're not expecting a mint on the pillow, you'll probably be happy. I
would rate the accommodations right up there with Stardust, Riviera,
and Sahara.

I have never stayed at the Boardwalk, but will ask the question in the
newsfroup and see what answers I get.

Update: see below.

>Also, and this might be a topic for the general list, Annie: could you
>please summarize the history of how the IP and Sahara came to be the
>official hotels in previous DLV years?

Ok, to make a long story long ... :)

They are "official" only in the way that we suggest them, knowing they
want our business, clean and comfortable, and they are (usually)
reasonable in price.

IP was first used by Margeth for DLV 97. I was staying at the Riviera.
By the time Margeth made her reservation, the Riviera was sold out. She
saw an ad for the IP and asked me if i knew about it. I said I had
stayed there in the past and it was decent. Next year we had a number
of people there. The rest is history.

In 1999 the Sahara was under construction to make that Nascar thing and
the corner looked like a war zone. They had some rock bottom prices
that year, and a few of our people stayed there. They liked it. In 2000
I could not get the whole DLV/N+I period at either the Stardust or the
Riviera, so I booked at the Sahara and liked it.

Last year when our annual debate about hotels came about, we decided to
suggest both for DLV 2001. As you know, one of our local people works at
the Boardwalk and suggested we make it a third suggested hotel.

We've considered others as well. Riviera has a reputation of being very
GLBT-friendly but it usually sells out around the DLV period due to a
large billiard tournament and N+I. (Some N+I seminars overflow the
Convention Center to the Riviera.) Palace Station and Stardust are
others that have been popular with our people. In 2000, some of our
people got very good rates at the LV Hilton, but usually you find very
high rates there during N+I.

For those who need something to do, :) these hotel discussions are in the
mailing list archives for all years.
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Mailbag:

>I heard about Diva Las Vegas recently. I was at a club here in Memphis
>TN and I mentioned to a fellow transgendered person that I had come
>back from a trip to Las Vegas. She told me she went to Diva Las Vegas.

>I read your website and found it very interesting. I would like to know
>more about your plans for the gathering later this year. I have been to
>Las Vegas several times but have not gotten to wear dresses there.

Ok, let's get you on the mailing list, which will give you quite a bit
of the latest news on what's happening. If there's any questions or
concerns, you can ask there.

>I wear pullover type dresses that go below the knees and because of
>the long walks I would expect to take I would be inclined to wear flat
>shoes.

Comfortable shoes (flat or not) are a must for DLV. And be sure to
test-drive that new pair of cute sandals before you venture out on
an all-day activity. :)

>I'm not very passable so I am not real sure how to handle the
>restroom issues. Other than that I'm not afraid to spend time in
>public with you all while attired in my favorite pullover dresses. I'm
>6 feet tall and weigh about 200 lbs.

Restrooms can be a touchy subject. We'll discuss this on the list as the
time approaches. There are actually a number of options for you in most
cases.

>I have stayed at several hotels in Las Vegas, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay,
>Bellagio, and yes Motel 6. I plan to stay in Luxor on my next trip. So
>far I know of no one here in Memphis who has any interest in going to
>Diva Las Vegas so I will be pretty much be going it alone.

>I am pretty much able to go with the flow. I can eat just about
>anywhere the food is good, be it a traditional all you can eat buffet,
>or fine dining such as Circus Steak House, Shintaro, etc. As for shows
>I'm into most anything, whether it be "O", Tournament of Kings, La
>Cage, Danny Gans, etc.

>As for gambling I am an exreme low roller, mostly nickel or quarter
>video poker.

>I would like to keep up with your latest news concerning DLV. Any news
>you have for me is indeed welcome. I think DLV might be something I
>would enjoy.

Keep reading the mailing list, and look over some of the back mailings
at http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv02arc/ as that will most likely
answer many of your current questions or concerns.
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Boardwalk feedback:

As I mentioned to Tina, I posted the following note in the Usenet
alt.vacation.las-vegas newsfroup:

+I have some friends who are considering staying there this spring.

+I'd like to ask for opinions on it, specifically the hotel portion,
+from those who have actually stayed there.

+Thanks in advance.

+annie :)

Here are the responses received so far, more may be on line at this time,
but I'm copying those that actually say something. :)
. . . . .

+I had a friend who stayed there, she seemed very pleased.

+Granted, was in a sh*tty mood the whole time she was here and we never
+talked again after she left, but she still seemeed to like her
+accomodations.
. . . . .

+My husband and I stayed there a couple of weeks ago. It's nothing
+glamorous, but the rooms are decent. They're pretty much like regular
+Holiday Inn rooms. They were clean and comfortable. We stayed on the
+16th floor (the tower is 17 floors high) looking up toward the north
+end of the strip, and the view was good. We could watch the Bellagio
+fountains. I think the view from the other side of the tower might be
+good too. The rest of the hotel was nothing to write home about...it's
+small and not that exciting. It is in a great location, though, right
+in the middle of the strip, next to a bunch of other stuff. Let me
+know if you have any other questions.
. . . . .

+The Boardwalk STINKS!!!

+It should be demolised {sic} as a public service.
. . . . .

+I have stayed there a couple of times. The hotel is fine, not fancy or
+especially well appointed, but clean and functional. The pool is small
+and nothing to write home about but the water is wet and the sun is hot.

+The casino is on the small side but it does offer low limit blackjack
+and craps which is rare in the neighborhood it sets in and anytime I
+have played there drink service has been good. The Buffet is terrible
+(don't eat it) but the snack bar has a decent shrimp cocktail.

+The best part of the Boardwalk (IMO) are the benches out front and you
+don't have to stay there to use them. They are a great place to sit
+and drink a beer while watching people go past. One last positive is
+the parking garage is very easy to get in and out of.
. . . . .

+Unless they move this run of the mill hostelry to Cleveland I see no
+reason to stay there.
. . . . .

+>I've considered staying there in the past but never have. Could you
+>give some specifics on your stay(s)?

+Well the last time I walked past the main strip entrance a foul
+odder {sic} was wafting out onto the sidewalk. It's also butt ugly.
. . . . .

+A friend stayed there a while back and I visited her room. Quite
+decent, clean, not too run down. Better than Casino Royale, about as
+nice as most of the rooms I've seen downtown. Very functional. If you
+can get a really good rate, book it.
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Imperial Palace feedback:

Coincidentally, somebody else posted this question about the IP almost
at the same time I posted my question.
. . . . .

+Any opinions on how good the Imperial Palace place is? Is it fairly
+decent and in a good location?

And the responses ... (coincidentally, I think I recognized the author of
one of these as a member of this list. :)
. . . . .

+Stayed there once, played there lots. Much too noisy but the price was
+right, only $27. shame they did away with ths old cocktail waitress
+uniforms, those were hot-hot-hot!
. . . . .

+I've stayed at the I.P. about 20 times. It's fine. The rooms are clean
+but fairly small, the sportsbook is legendary, the food is lousy, the
+bars are boring, the pool is non-descript, the gym has been upgraded,
+and the location is perfect. I think it's one of the best buys in
+Vegas.You're never going to impress anyone by telling them you stayed
+there, however.
. . . . .

+The parking lot is dark and spooky, the hallway was dark and spooky, the
+elevator was slow, the room smelled, the food sucked.
. . . . .

I don't know if the following is good over the DLV period, but ...

+While driving on I-15 today, I heard an announcement for the Imperial
+Palace.

+Special rates for their 25th anniversary.

+I have no comment on the quality or any other factors about the IP.

+This is for info only. I just wanted to pass it along to the group.

+Rooms are $10.00 per person/per night, Sunday thru Thursday.

+Call the IP @ 1-800-634-6441 for details.

+If they ask, you heard about it on the "Highway Station" between LA &
+Vegas.
. . . . .

+If you ask me, it's a good cheap place to sleep. Only something like
+$39/$49 wkdy/wknd. Ask for a room in the west tower half way back.
+Up front you get all kinds of noise.
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Pre-registration is open:

When you make the decision to attend, please stop by the url:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/reg.html

This will help us better plan for DLV.

The information we collect will be for DLV planning only, we will not
give any of it out, etc.

Yes, this will also help us answer the perennial question "how many
people are coming" earlier and more accurately.

It's perfectly fine to indicate "don't know" in many of the fields.

This year, on-line cancellation, update, and code recovery are
available.

NOTE TO RETURNEES, VOLUNTEERS, AND LAS VEGAS LOCALS: Please register,
nobody is assumed to be on the list.
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Room sharing:

DLV, just like any other event where people pay for hotel rooms, can
be more affordable if people share rooms. We want to (again) have a
"roommate clearing house" in this mailing list.

If you've already booked a room, and would like for somebody else to
stay with you and share the expense, or if you're looking for somebody
who has extra space, please write to this list (dlv@geekbabe.com) with
the word "Roommate" somewhere in the subject line. Please include the
following items in your e-mail:

1. Your name.

2. Your e-mail address.

3. What date you will be arriving and what date you will be departing.

4. Do you have a room to share, or do you need space in one.

5. Any annoying habits or traits you have. (Do you smoke, do you snore,
are you a very early riser, compulsive talker, late-nite MTV addict,
etc.)

6. Any additional notes or comments.

When we have roommate items, we will include them in a special ongoing
section toward the bottom of each mailing. Those interested in sharing
rooms can then contact each other by e-mail and make arrangements.

Please remember, any roommate agreements are private arrangements
strictly between the people involved, and I or anybody else cannot be
responsible if things don't work out (etc. etc., yada-yada, you know the
drill).
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Web Sites (updated):

DLV main page http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/

annie http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/
Denise (Densie) http://www.geekbabe.com/admaero/
Tina http://home.swbell.net/tinatdre/
Mindy http://www.fortunecity.com/village/freedom/785/index.htm
Cat http://profiles.yahoo.com/dodiamonds
or http://www.geocities.com/dodiamonds
Dorothy http://dorothy_d.homestead.com/home.html
RhiannaCD http://members.aol.com/rhiannacd
Julie http://www.geocities.com/julie7_46/
Monique http://www.leggitv.com/
Ginger http://www.geocities.com/latexia_g/
Micheline http://www.micheline.ca
Michelle http://www.idis.com/mpj/
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Summary Schedule of Activities (updated):

Date Day Time Activity
========== ========= =========
Apr 30 Tue Morning
Afternoon Milano's Welcome Dinner
Evening Pre-DLV get-together

May 01 Wed All day Blond Hair Day
Morning
Afternoon
Evening Dinner (tentative) and Welcome celebration
After Karaoke, Goodtimes
Later Slumber Party (and swap meet)

May 02 Thu Morning Air tours
Afternoon Glamour Boutique Open House
Evening Frank Marino Show (La Cage)
After Limo tour

May 03 Fri Morning Golf
Afternoon Carluccio's Dinner (5:00pm)
Evening Goodtimes Annual Mixer
Late Night Dance Night

May 04 Sat Morning
Afternoon Mall Crawl
Evening Las Vegas "Legacy" show
Midnight Rocky Horror Picture Show

May 05 Sun Morning
Afternoon Side trip, Valley of Fire
Evening Buffet dinner, Palace Station
Farewell Get-together
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Administrivia:

This is the Diva Las Vegas 2002 mailing list.

Diva Las Vegas 2002
April 30 - May 5, 2002
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

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