The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas opened December 15, 2010 next door to the Bellagio. Chic, modern, trendy...it is an absolutely beautiful property that doesn't try to be a faux recreation of something else.



It definitely feels posh, but not overdone. This is a concept not easily found in Las Vegas.



Well, maybe just a trifle overdone.





You might even see Johnny Depp at the hotel.



The spacious room felt comfortable and open.



The shade in the bathroom allows the room to seem lighter and more open while allowing privacy during use.



A great place to get ready for a photo shoot.



The view from the balcony...well, I guess it will do.



At nighttime, maybe just a bit more spectacular...and a great place to watch the Bellagio fountains.



There are plenty of dining options at the hotel. I enjoyed breakfast at The Henry:



An amazing cold-pressed juice concoction at The Juice Standard (the girl that waited on us deserves salesperson of the year):



Cookies at Milk:



Would I stay here again? Definitely.

Get more Cosmopolitan at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: At Home with the Blacks

Shirley Temple Black, normally a private person in her adult life, allowed the cameras into her home to shoot a few publicity shots for her upcoming television show, "Shirley Temple's Storybook." Here the kids gather around Shirley while she "reads" them some classic fairy tales. Linda Susan, Lori, and Charles do not seem very thrilled about the photo shoot.



Husband Charles joins the session in this photo; wouldn't you love to know what was playing on the family's home movie projector?



This close-up view allows you to see what Shirley is reading from: "Old French Fairy Tales."



And if you'd care to buy the book that Shirley is reading to her family from, you just missed a 1920 first edition that was on eBay for the low low bargain price of $899.



More Shirley family photos at my main website.

Monkey See Monday

This 1956 image shows an organ grinder and his monkey in the Central Plaza area of Disneyland. Imagine..."live" animals at Disneyland doing things that might be unscripted. A closeup of the organ shows the name Molinari & Sons, New York.



Here's a previously posted shot of the same guy, also from 1956:



More Disneyland Central Plaza at my main website.

The Boneyard

I crossed another one off of my bucket list recently when I paid a visit to the Neon Museum Boneyard in Las Vegas. Many years ago I had heard of this place where vintage signs from Las Vegas resided; some restored, some rusting, but all on display just waiting for a visit from signage nerds like me.

The entrance to the museum is the lobby of the former La Concha Motel. What a cool way to begin!



Some of the signs have been restored and actually work:





Others have a spotlight with an ever-changing rainbow of colors aimed at them to give the illusion that they are still working:



And some are just sitting there, ravaged by time but definitely no less interesting for their wear.



My friend Kamy, an up and coming actor from Hollywood, met me at the Boneyard for our photo shoot:



Channeling James Bond, Kamy and I toured the site and marveled over these relics of "old" Las Vegas:







Here are a few comparison shots from my collection. The Stardust Hotel and Casino circa 1967:



and how the sign looks today:



This sparkling "silver" slipper is in front of the museum on a median strip:



Here is its original location:



The skull that is now laying flat on its "back"...



once resided in front of Treasure Island Hotel and Casino:



Naturally I had to have at least one shot documenting my first trip to this historic spot:



All photos filmed/photographed with permission at The Neon Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada

More Neon Museum Boneyard photos at my main website.

Disneyland July 1963

A trio of images from July 1963 beginning with one of the entrance to the Douglas Moonliner, or the attraction formerly known as the TWA Moonliner. Of course my eye immediately goes to the cool vintage pink feather Disneyland hat.

Elsewhere in Tomorrowland, it appears that Pinocchio has gotten lost and is now grooving to some cool tunes with The Spacemen and Kay Bell. Is Kay the auburn haired beauty just visible behind our wooden friend?



Last and somewhat least is a shot of the entrance to the Sleeping Beauty Castle Diorama in Fantasyland:



And a contemporary view from a similar angle:



More vintage and current Disneyland photos at my main website.

The Pasea Hotel in Huntington Beach

On my first trip to Huntington Beach, I stayed at the Pasea Hotel, located just steps away from the beach and pier. Less than a year old, the property gets two thumbs up. Hip and catering to the Surf City culture for which Huntington Beach is known, it makes for a great place to kick back and relax.



The lobby has this interesting piece created out of flip-flops:



A closer look:



The pool was fantastic for my morning swim, and you can't beat a pink flamingo for a flotation device!



The fitness center was huge, albeit deserted. More than adequate for a hotel gym.



The room was spacious, clean, and well appointed:



including a guitar in the living room:



I love little touches like this:



Of course what you really are staying here for is the view. Yowza.



You would have a hard time finding a more spectacular place to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean (or a better looking couple to photograph):



I also recommend the in-house restaurant, Tanner's.



I had great service...



a tasty entrée...



and a dessert that definitely meant I was doing laps in the morning.



My only snafu during the visit was the bill. If you stay here, take a close look at every charge. I was overbilled by a substantial amount. On the plus side, accounting had it taken care of shortly after my phone call.

More Pasea Hotel photos at my main website.