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Video: Transgender Woman Abused by MGM Staff for using Women’s Bathroom

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This is seriously screwed up: A transgender woman was kicked out of the women’s bathroom by MGM staff outside the Cirque DuSoleil show, Zumanity. At first people thought it was the actual staff of the show, but turns out to be employees according to bystanders of MGM and the New York-New York Hotel

According to her video, staff of the hotel actually physically blocked her from going into a restroom, despite using it before:

“Apparently someone complained about my appearance that first time, and the second time staff were waiting to intercept me and block me. They surrounded me and told me I was a man and needed to use the men’s room. I explained calmly that I was a transgender woman, 7 months on hormones, and didn’t belong in the men’s room.”

The first manager was unbelievable. He said things like “well just look at you, look at what you’re wearing,” (sadly not on tape). My girlfriends were so supportive – they were right there alongside me saying things like “but what did she do besides exist? She just peed, is it so bad?” and “I could have a dick, how do you know I don’t? You wanna check my ID too?”

MGM Resorts wrote: MGM Resorts International strives to create a safe and inclusive environment for our LGBTQ guests. Under our policy, guests who are transgender may use the restroom of the gender they associate with. If you were not allowed access to the restroom of your choice, we would very much like an opportunity to address this matter with you directly. Inclusion is a bedrock value of MGM Resorts and we welcome the opportunity to make this right.

Wynn Starts Paid Parking

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Not to be outdone by MGM and everyone else, Steve Wynn has finally decided that you need to pay for the privilege of going to his casinos.

Self Parking Fees, will be $7 for 2 hours, $12 for 4 hours, $12 for 24 hours and $15 for every additional 24 hours.

Valet fees will be $15 for up to four hours, $20 for 4-24 hours and $20 for each additional 24 hours.

Why are casinos doing this? Because they can. They figured the small drop off is outweighed by the income.

Serving Bratwurst and Beer, Biergarten at Lagasse’s Stadium Opens

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The Venetian® and The Palazzo® Las Vegas is celebrating the summer season with the unveiling of an all-new experience, The Biergarten at Lagasse’s Stadium®. Set to debut July 17, guests will be transported into celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse’s take on Bavaria with gourmet fare, an array of beer, and craft cocktails – allowing for the ultimate German beer garden experience.

Covering 1,800 square feet, The Biergarten at Lagasse’s Stadium, in partnership with Anheuser-Busch, will boast a lively public gathering space with elements of a traditional beer hall such as communal bench seating, ambient string lighting, and lush greenery. Located on the patio of Lagasse’s Stadium, the rising sounds of laughter and music will draw guests into the beer garden and allow guests to dine al fresco in a uniquely fun atmosphere with a view of the Las Vegas Strip.

The Biergarten at Lagasse’s Stadium will offer German-inspired cuisine from Emeril Lagasse including shared plates, large portions, sides and dessert. Highlights include homemade potato pancakes with apple sauce and sour cream; giant Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese dipping sauce; flame grilled bratwurst or knatwurst with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes; and thinly pounded crispy pork or chicken schnitzel topped with lemon and parsley, and German potato salad; to name a few.

To complement the dining experience, guests will be able to imbibe with bottle, buckets and pitchers of beer; “frozen beer,” and specialty cocktails. Beers include select options such as Budweiser, Bud Light, Shock Top, Elysian, Four Peaks, and more, as well as signature cocktails such as the Kickin’ Mule (Ketel One Vodka, Monin habanero lime syrup, fresh lime, ginger beer) and Royal Refresher (Crown Royal Apple, pineapple juice, soda).

The Biergarten at Lagasse’s Stadium will be open seven days a week, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.. All guests must be 21 years of age and older. Reservations are recommended by calling 702-607-2665.

Faraday Future Abandons Las Vegas but is it Faraday Fraud?

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Once they had the press conference where the “self-driving” car was actually driven by a guy hiding behind the tint, we should have known it was over. Something never smelled right, and despite the warnings, the media and the local government got bit by a fever that there would be a huge electric car plant in Las Vegas. Instead, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports Faraday Future plans to purchase an existing building, somewhere.

Although the company claims they have the majority of the equipment necessary to build the EV, but that it now needs a place to store the equipment and set up the line (one assumes they will also need some working capital to pay for parts and start-up costs, as its unlikely any suppliers will be extending them credit).

Faraday today states that they “…are in the process of identifying a manufacturing facility that presents a faster path to start-of-production and aligns with future strategic options”, but it also doesn’t actually say the words “FF 91” in that statement either.

Two years ago the Governor pushed the state legislature to pass a $335-million incentive package for Faraday, including $215 million in tax breaks.

Nevada state Treasurer Dan Schwartz, however, argued against the deal. “I’m afraid it will never be financed and implode in the middle” of the project, leaving Nevada taxpayers on the hook for millions in state incentives.

 

Vegas Woman Killed, Predicted Boyfriend Would Kill Her on Facebook

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A woman from Las Vegas who died of brain injuries after being beaten into a coma by her ex-boyfriend predicted her own death on social media.

Stella Martinez, 39, was attacked and choked on the ground in her back yard on 3 June by 41-year-old Christopher Wood, who had broken into her home, according to police. She died in hospital three weeks later.

Mr Wood was arrested on attempted murder, attempted burglary and domestic battery by strangulation charges that are expected to be upgraded before a 14 July preliminary hearing of evidence against him.

It has now emerged that Ms Martinez had predicted her death online, recounting her failed efforts to get help from police in a series of chilling Facebook posts documenting the couple’s tumultuous relationship.

“I’ll be dead before (they) do anything,” she wrote in a Facebook comment in January, according to Las Vegas Review-Journal.

“Although I have no doubt (you’re) still going to try to kill me but you will never find me,” she added.

Social media posts suggest the pair began dating around May 2016. They are in a number of photographs together throughout 2016 and can be seen in August and October exchanging expressions of love on each other’s pages.

But in January 2017, Ms Martinez posted on Mr Wood’s page calling him a sociopath.

“I wish I never met you, I did everything for you,” she wrote, before accusing him of destroying her life. She added that she was calling him out on social media to take back her power and warn other women about him.

In one comment, she described failed efforts to seek help from authorities, saying police had taken his side in previous disputes and would not help her.

Jessica Avras, Ms Martinez’s sister-in-law, told the Review-Journal she had called the police several times, but that after one fight, North Las Vegas officers booked Ms Martinez, not Mr Wood, on a domestic violence charge.

After this, she stopped calling the police because she was afraid they would turn against her, Ms Avras said

Henderson’s Standard and Pour Closes Suddenly

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John Curtas, recently most known for being “that White Guy” in Chapter 3 of  Momofoku saga, announced on early Sunday afternoon that Standard and Pour Kitchen and Bar was closing suddenly, having been open less than a year.

Kerry Simon’s last project, a creative twist on the Gastropub, seemingly was doing very well in the space formerly occupied by Firefly (closed for almost killing people).  The “Gastro-lounge” was a partnership between Titan Brands and Simon Hospitality Group, and had been seen doing immensely well in the space and was rumored to had been expanding.

In fact, in a conversation earlier this month, Cory Harwell had told me that they were looking into buying the spaces around the restaurant to expand, as they were doing that well. So this comes as a big surprise to myself, and obviously others. My mistake! the conversation was about another restaurant

While Simon Hospitality Group did confirm the news of closing as of Sunday night, they said there was no statement beyond that on the reason for the sudden closing.

The restaurant had received amazing reviews, but John Curtas had noted in his initial review that the restaurant might not match the “Hendertucky” palette. He had pointed that the r restaurant probably had done everything right, but was “Henderson ready for a cool and cozy patio? A second floor walk-up restaurant that’s spent real money on a groovy bar, with-it decor, and foodie-friendly accoutrements: craft beers, bespoke cocktails, aged-this and smoked-that?”

Even with almost everyone who was someone in the culinary industry praising it, the venture didn’t work out — raising questions if no one reads your reviews, then what good are they?  Is Henderson really a culinary wasteland that close to the Center of Las Vegas?

Meet Alizé’s New Chef Joshua Bianchi on June 30th

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Alizé at the Top of Palms Casino Resort is inviting guests to meet the restaurant’s brand new executive chef, Joshua Bianchi. The Michelin Star award-winning restaurant will host an exclusive dinner on Friday, June 30.

The “Meet the Chef” dinner will be a multi-course experience to showcase his new dishes and takes on classic Alizé fare. The evening will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by the five-course menu at 7 p.m.

Chef Bianchi’s menu reflects his diverse background blended with the traditional French cuisine that Alizé guests are accustomed to. Each dish will be paired with complimentary wine selected by Beverage Director Patrick Trundle to highlight each dish.

Prior to joining Alizé, Chef Bianchi was the opening chef for Drai’s Beachclub Las Vegas and Drai’s Vancouver. Within the past 10 years, he has worked for myriad talented chefs around the country including Florida Chef Norman Van Aken; Las Vegas Chef Julian Serrano of Picasso at Bellagio; New York Chef Tom Colicchio of Gramercy Tavern and Chef Daniel Boulud of Daniel Boulud Brasserie at Wynn Resort Las Vegas.

The multi-course menu on June 30 will include:

Amuse Bouche
Copper River Salmon Crudo with beet jus and charred cucumber, as well as Beef Carpaccio with pepper relish and Osetra caviar
Featured wine: Pierre Sparr, Crémant Rosé

First Course
Duo of Hamachi and Ahi Tuna Tartar with snow crab and cucumber roulade, avocado, Amarillo aioli and double soy reduction
Featured wine: Pierre Sparr, Mambourg, Grand Cru Gewurztraminer 2014

Second Course
Sautéed Soft Shell Crab with Brandade
Featured wine: Hyde de Villaine, Chardonnay, Carneros 2013

Third Course
Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras with brioche French toast with poached figs and toasted almonds
Featured wine: Royal Tokaji, Late Harvest 2015

Fourth Course
Crackling Pork Belly with roasted carrots, swiss chard, medjool dates and farro
Featured wine: Clau de Nell, Anne-Claude Leflaive, Cabernet Franc 2012

Fifth Course
Braised Beef Short Ribs with sweet corn purée and summer vegetable succotash
Featured wine: Château Simard, St. Emilion 2005

Dessert
Strawberry-Rhubarb Meringue with lemon-verbena gelato
Featured wine: Baumard, Quarts de Chaume 2012

The price is $170 per person (tax, beverage and gratuity not included). For more information or to make reservations, go to www.AlizeLV.com or please call (702) 951-7000.

 

Nevada Significantly Changes Law on Employee Non-Competition Agreements

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Earlier this month, Governor Sandoval signed Assembly Bill 276 (AB 276) into law.  AB 276 makes substantial changes to Nevada Revised Statute 613.

In short, AB 276 modifies Nevada law on non-competition restrictive covenants and weakens an employer’s ability to protect trade secrets and proprietary information.

Pursuant to the new law, in order for a non-competition agreement to be valid and enforceable in Nevada, the covenant must be supported by valuable consideration and the restrictions must be appropriate in relation to such consideration.  The non-compete must not impose any undue hardship on an employee.  In addition, the restrictive covenant must not impose any restraint on an individual employee that is greater than required for the protection of the employer

Query what constitute “valuable consideration” and what relatively “appropriate restrictions” will mean, moving forward.

AB 276 prohibits employers from restricting former employees from providing services to a former client, in specific situations.  For example, where a former client voluntarily chose to seek the services of a former employee.  In this situation, a former employee cannot engage in solicitation and must otherwise be complying with the limitations in the covenant.

AB 276 also provides that in the event an employer initiates an action to enforce a non-competition agreement supported by valuable consideration, but determines that the restrictions are inappropriate or impose an undue burden on an employee, the court shall be permitted to modify the restrictive covenant to the extent necessary and enforce the covenant as revised.

Importantly, AB 276 limits enforceability of non-competition agreements where an employee is terminated as a result of a reduction in force or reorganization.  A non-competition agreement is only enforceable in this situation while an employer continues to pay an employee’s salary, benefits or severance pay.

Nevada employers are well-advised to consider AB 276 when reviewing and drafting employee confidentiality and non-compete agreements.  Without limitation, non-competition restrictive covenants must be tailored to protect legitimate employer business interests and the consideration exchanged must be relatively appropriate.

Contact an FTC defense lawyer for more information on developing and executing preventive measures, such as auditing existing confidentiality, non-compete and intellectual property agreements.

Additional information about the author of this article can be found, here.

Richard Newman

Richard B. Newman is an Internet marketing compliance and regulatory defense attorney at Hinch Newman LLP focusing on advertising and digital media matters. His practice includes conducting legal compliance reviews of advertising campaigns, representing clients in investigations and enforcement actions brought by the Federal Trade Commission and state Attorneys General, commercial litigation, advising clients on promotional marketing programs, and negotiating and drafting legal agreements.

ADVERTISING MATERIAL. These materials are provided for informational purposes only and are not to be considered legal advice, nor do they create a lawyer-client relationship. No person should act or rely on any information in this article without seeking the advice of an attorney. Information on previous case results does not guarantee a similar future result.  Hinch Newman LLP | 40 Wall St., 35thFloor, New York, NY 10005 | (212) 756-8777.

FTC Sues to Stop DraftKings and FanDuel from Merging

The Federal Trade Commission announced Monday it will seek to block the merger between DraftKings and FanDuel, the two leading daily fantasy sports online sites.

The FTC said it wants to stop the merger because the combined company would control more than 90 percent of the U.S. market for paid fantasy sports contests.

The regulatory body, together with the attorneys general of California and Washington D.C., will file a complaint in federal district court in an effort to temporarily stop the companies from combining into what officials believe would be an illegal monopoly.

The trial would commence on Nov. 21, according to the FTC.

“The proposed merger would deprive customers of the substantial benefits of direct competition between DraftKings and FanDuel,” said Tad Lipsky, the FTC’s acting director of its Bureau of Competition.

The two companies announced the deal in November as a merger of equals. An estimated $750 million in marketing was spent by the two companies in fall 2015, according to ESPN.

The two companies faced legal and political battles in multiple states as to whether daily fantasy was considered gambling. In October 2015, the Nevada attorney general deemed DFS to constitute gambling. In a detailed 17-page memo, the office of the attorney general concluded that “daily fantasy sports cannot be offered in Nevada without licensure.” FanDuel, DraftKings and several other DFS providers vacated the state soon thereafter.

Both companies were hit with tens of millions of dollars in legal fees and lobbying costs, putting their financial health into question.

In New York alone, the fantasy companies eventually agreed to a $12 million settlement with Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Each company was responsible for paying $6 million for false advertising.

“We are disappointed by this decision and continue to believe that a merger is in the best interest of our players, our companies, our employees and the fantasy sports industry,” DraftKings CEO Jason Robins and FanDuel CEO Nigel Eccles said in a joint statement. “We are considering all our options at this time.”

Mario Batali’s Babbo Comes to Las Vegas this Friday

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For one night only, this Friday, June 23, Chef Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich’s flagship New York City destination, Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, will stage a pop-up dinner at B&B Ristorante at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Encompassing four courses complemented by wine pairings, the Babbo pop-up dinner will begin at 7 p.m. and be presented by Babbo Executive Chef Frank Langello. The event represents the newest installment of Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group’s (B&BHG) Las Vegas guest chef dinner series, which launched this spring.

“We’re overjoyed to bring New York’s famous Babbo to Las Vegas for one special evening,” says Nicole Brisson, culinary director, B&BHG. “Guests will have the distinct pleasure of indulging in Chef Langello’s superb dishes—right here, in Las Vegas, for the very first time.”

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1998, Chef Langello began working at Le Cirque 2000 and honed his skills in the kitchen there for two years. In 2001, Frank decided to return to his Italian roots. He set his sights high, determined to work only for a then up-and-coming chef whom he greatly admired. Chef Langello left Le Cirque 2000, printed a single copy of his resume and submitted it to Mario Batali at Babbo. He got the job and has worked under Batali, who became his mentor, ever since. Langello has led the Babbo kitchen as Executive Chef since 2002.

The evening’s Babbo pop-up menu will feature:

Antipasti (served family-style)

Carciofi alla Romana
Heirloom Tomato Caprese with burrata and pesto
Grilled Octopus with “fagioli marinati” and spicy limoncello vinaigrette
Paired with Bastianich Vespa Bianco 2012 1.5-liter

Primi (select one)

Stinging Nettle Tonnarelli with morels, favas and Asiago
-or-
Gnocchi with pesto Genovese
Paired with Valenti Norma Etna Rosso 2013

Secondi (select one)

Pancetta Ripiena with speck and escarole, paired with Masi Costasera Amarone della Valpolicella 2011
-or-
Braised Lamb with fagioli al fiasco, paired with Podere Le Ripi Amore & Follia Syrah 2009
-or-
Red Snapper with cherry tomatoes and cool cucumber gazpacho, Cantina Terlano Vorberg Riserva Pinot Bianco 2013
Dolci (duo)

Maple and Mascarpone Cheesecake
Stone Fruit Crostata
Paired with Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria 2014

The price is $150 per person and includes wine pairings, gratuity and a take-home pastry creation; for guests who also wish to take home a copy of Mario Batali’s “The Babbo Cookbook” following dinner, the price is $185 per person. Click here to purchase tickets. Limited seating is available.