Not Your Average Ferris Wheel

Not Your Average Ferris Wheel 

Las Vegas is a city known for excess and luxury. We have the highest concentration of celebrity chefs, world renowned artists who come to perform and have become synonymous with hospitality. If you want it and have deep enough pockets, we will find a way to get it to you. Who would have ever doubted that we would put up the world’s largest Ferris wheel? No one at Jeff Allen Sports!

Over the past few years two major Ferris wheel projects have been proposed and designed to decorate the famous Las Vegas Strip. However as of right now, only one of them seems to be keeping to its promise and hype- the High Roller. This monster wheel will be in Caesars Entertainment’s newly developed Linq project, an outdoor shopping and dining experience that will elevate the experience as we currently know it to be in Las Vegas. While it is a popular style layout for California, it has little success in Vegas due to the extreme heat that we experience here during the summer months. But let’s be honest, there will probably be misters every few feet to keep the patrons nice and cool.

Some of the revealed big name tenants for the new Linq are Ghirardelli, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Yard House and Polaroid FOTOBAR. There are currently 18 companies who have confirmed presence in the new project but the site says that there will be more than 30 retailers and restaurants to explore.

The gigantic wheel will be 550 feet up in the air and will be 520 feet long. Each of the 28 glass enclosed cabins can accommodate up to 40 people. One cycle will take about 30 minutes so when the time comes you should choose people you actually want to be stuck with for half an hour. Not to be pessimistic, but this probably would not the best idea for a first date. Can you say awkward? Unless of course it is not going to be the first time you will be alone with them for that amount of time.

The High Roller will be the largest Ferris wheel in the world upon completion until someone else dares to knock it off its pedestal. Who knows, the darer may even come from our own city just down the street from where the High Roller will stand. As of now though, the staff members off Jeff Allen Sports have their doubts “Not too sure about the Skyvue ever really happening” says Mike of Jeff Allen Sports, “I mean they keep saying that it’s coming, but haven’t they ever heard of the boy who cried wolf? Seems like an empty promise to me”

What is Skyvue? It is proposed to be a similar retail/entertainment/dining area with a Ferris wheel/LED screen across from Mandalay Bay. It was supposed to open for New Years 2012, but is currently still nothing more than 2 giant poles sticking out of the ground. No one is intentionally rooting against them, but the eyesore that it currently is doesn’t do anyone any good. There seem to be a lot of problems surrounding this project financially which is the biggest reason it has been at a standstill. The SkyVue team assures the public that it will continue on and will open eventually. This is of course when they are not hiding from the public.

Should the project really take off it would be a great welcoming sight to see as it is not too far from the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign. That side of the strip really needs some TLC; it really is not very welcoming as it is right now. The dingy strip malls and motels that line the entrance which could be cool if they were kept up at all are a sad reminder of the extreme ends of the spectrum between luxury and poverty. With people coming to Vegas to forget their problems it seems a bit ironic that the first things they see as they are welcomed to the city are run-down buildings and 2 odd looking sticks coming out of the ground. If the Skyvue would get their act together it would be a big win for that side of the strip.

Without a doubt as the finishing touches go on the High Roller it is clear that it will be the wheel to beat. Since it will be the largest wheel in the world, we can only imagine the beautiful views the passengers of the glass carriages will be able to see. Also, what will they do in the air for 30 minutes? Is there a possibility of having dining options while aboard the wheel? There is so much excitement building up as the big unveil is set to open later in 2013. Plus they are bringing Brooklyn Bowl out of Brooklyn and onto the Strip! The staff of Jeff Allen Sports cannot wait to see this new development hit the ground running.

America’s Next Top Model vs. The Face

America’s Next Top Model vs. The Face

The world of modeling is not something to laugh about, it is serious competition. There will always be someone younger, thinner and taller who is much more in demand in front or behind you in a casting call. This is the reality of these models’ lives and while it may not be fun to be in their shoes it is fun to watch them overcome or crumble under the obstacles they face in televised competitions. Chrissy, a receptionist from Jeff Allen Sports says America’s Next Top Model is the better show while Alexia, another receptionist at Jeff Allen Sports says that The Face is. Is it too early to tell which one is better since The Face is only going to go into its second season? Would that even be fair? We will see. What do these models get for all of their strife? It depends on the competition but the purpose of this article we will focus on the popular ANTM (America’s Next Top Model) and sophomore breakout The Face.

America’s Next Top Model is hosted by former model Tyra Banks and is now in its 20th season. The show is aired internationally in 170 countries with the show’s concept being replicated in other countries. Because of the staying power of the brand, they have been able to garner sponsorship interests from major retailers and other businesses making the prize packages for the winner very alluring. These prize packages usually include a modeling contract with a top agency, being spokesperson for a major brand and some amount of cash. The panel of judges is always power packed with experts across the fashion industry who serves as mentors for the competitors as the show unfolds.

The most recent season of America’s Next Top Model had male and female contestants for the first time with the new format being carried onto the next season. Having both male and female models competing puts a new spin on the show and accrues more drama (who doesn’t love more drama on TV?). The judges apart from Tyra Banks include Kelly Cutrone, Rob Evans and Bryan Boy who is representing the at home judge. The judging process includes several factors; there is a challenge which tests their skills and adaptability for which their performance gets a score from 1-10. Then they have a photo shoot where the fans of the show vote for their favorite picture on a scale of 1-10. In the end the judges grade the end photo on their own scale 1-10. All of those scores are combined and the person with the least amount of points gets sent home.

The contestants get to work with very creative photographers and get opportunities to book fashion shows, win additional prizes and make connections with people in their industry throughout the competition. Each season also takes the top 8 or so contestants to a foreign country which highlights the possibility for the young hopefuls to work and travel in the future if they make it in the cut-throat industry. It is also undoubtedly a good tourism draw for the host country.

Now let’s talk about The Face. It is a new modeling competition show on Oxygen who’s main host Naomi Campbell has been a very public and controversial figure. She is a Supermodel with a capital S and has worked with the very top fashion houses in the industry. The first season had judges/coaches Coco Rocha and Karolina Kurkova who are influential models in their own right. Coco Rocha is one of the most versatile and highly sought after models in the industry to date. She can do 50 poses in 30 seconds! Karolina Kurkova was a Victoria’s Secret Angel…need we say more? Angels are among the highest paid models in the world. Due to conflicts, Coco and Karolina will not be coming back for a second season and will be replaced with Anne Vyalitsyna and Lydia Hearst. After being constantly berated by Naomi Campbell with less than choice words who could blame Coco and Karolina for walking out? “I am bummed that Coco isn’t going to come back!” says Alexia “She sent out Team Coco shirts in her Fancy Box subscription and I was looking forward to wearing it more often. But I can understand her position”

Interestingly Nigel Barker “Noted Fashion Photographer” for America’s Next Top Model for the bulk of its current existence, got fired from the show and is now working with The Face. He claims that there are no hard feelings between himself and Tyra Banks; instead his leave was sprung by the network. He has noted the differences since working on both of the shows and it appears as though he takes The Face to be more serious and campaign-driven. The contestants are working with real clients and the “team” who wins the approval of the client is safe from elimination. The bottom 2 teams each elect a model from their team to go into the elimination room where the judge of the winning team decides who to save and who to send packing. “See, this is why The Face is better” Alexia from Jeff Allen Sports chimes in, “They have to work within real parameters and it makes just sneaking into the top a lot harder. They really have to work to win!”

The prize package from last season of The Face was to become the actual face of Ulta Beauty. It definitely isn’t as exciting as the prize package available from America’s Next Top Model, but it was their rookie year. We expect that as they progress through the seasons - the prize packages will increase in value. So based solely on the current prizes and value, ANTM is still king. Though, The Face does have the potential to be huge!

NFL Themed Bars of Las Vegas

You know how it is to get stared down by other people as you cheer on your team at a bar when they are clearly rooting for the other side. It may even cause a fight or two if it gets heated enough. You can avoid all of that by going to a team specific bar right here in Las Vegas. Jason from the Jeff Allen Sports team picked out a bar for each of the teams based on the list LVRJ gave out. Unfortunately not all teams have strong enough fan bases in Vegas so if you can’t find a bar tailored just for them, you’re going to have to tough it out with the masses! Not to worry we have some suggestions for you too.


Buffalo Bills: Time-Out Sports Bar and Grill 702.880.8180
Chicago Bears: Tommy Rocker’s 702.933.6333
Cleveland Browns: Kopper Keg West 702.254.5495
Dallas Cowboys: Mr. D’s 702.362.8777
Denver Broncos: Balboa Pizza 702.407.5273
Green Bay Packers: Jackson’s Bar and Grill 702.362.2116
Kansas City Chiefs: The Blue Diamond Saloon 702.896.1455
Minnesota Vikings: Blue Ox Tavern 702.871.2536
New York Giants: Johnny Fontane’s Beach House 702.367.6867
Oakland Raiders: Lucie’s Lounge702.776.6417
Philadelphia Eagles: Madison Ave. Bar and Grill 702.735.4535
Pittsburgh Steelers: Bob Taylor’s Ranch House 702.645.1399
San Diego Chargers: Surf City Bar & Grill 702.633.4234
San Francisco 49ers: HiScores Bar-Arcade 702.522.7766
Seattle Seahawks: Scooter’s Pub 702.227.9047
Washington Redskins: The Lodge at Tenaya 702.395.2467


If you are part of the unlucky group that does not have a special bar to go to don’t worry about it, here are some of the high-end bars Jason from Jeff Allen Sports suggests:
Lagasse’s Stadium: 702.607.2665
Twin Peaks: 702.795.8946
PT’s: 702.258.0224

Vegas on the Silver Screen

Vegas on the Silver Screen

Las Vegas is the ultimate playground. The allure of Sin City is the freedom that it exudes to the imagination to let go and act on fantasies you would not dare to do in your hometown. The same appeal is translated in movies filmed in Las Vegas through characters coming from different walks of life.

It is pretty amazing to see just how many movies have been filmed in Vegas either in their entirety or just for a few segments. Even more movies have mentioned the city. There is no substitute for Las Vegas, many other cities around the world try to replicate but there is a reason why the name of the city sparks excitement.

Here are some of the most popular titles throughout the years: Ocean’s Eleven (1960), Elvis: That’s the Way It Is (1970), Diamonds are Forever (1971), Casino (1995), Leaving Las Vegas (1995), Showgirls (1995), Swingers (1996), Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Rush Hour 2 (2001), Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Memento (2001), Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005), Rocky Balboa (2006), Ocean’s Thirteen (2007), Knocked Up (2007), 21 (2008) and The Hangover (2009).

When friends and family members of the Jeff Allen Sports team come to visit they like to see locations where the films were made and to take pictures if they are able to. While some of the locations are no longer around, the more recent movies do have locations where visitors can see and pose by. There are also many Hangover movie items available for sale around town such as a t-shirt with baby “Carlos” strapped onto it. The front desk at Caesar’s Palace says they frequently get asked if Caesar actually lived there…they are good sports and usually play into it. A bit of a bummer but you cannot book the suite that they used in the movie as it does not exist. You can however take a look at some of their Fantasy Suites.

While CSI is not a movie, it is a long-running show that has showcased the city and is a noticeable franchise connected to it. Visitors can go to CSI: The Experience at the MGM Grand to go through simulated crime solving activities and visit their gift shop for show memorabilia.
What movie will you be location chasing on your next visit?

Las Vegas Food Festivals

Las Vegas Food Festivals

As if there weren’t enough things to cram into your agenda when you visit Vegas, you have to consider the special events that are available to go to. Known for being a destination meeting place where people come together to experience new things, the constant stream of festivals in Las Vegas are great events that brings locals and visitors together.

One event that comes twice a year is the San Gennaro Feast. As you may guess it is an Italian festival that celebrates Saint Gennaro from Naples Italy. The reason it is held twice a year is because of the saints’ preserved blood that liquefies and turns reddish from its usual solidified and dark color twice a year in the first week of May and in September. Not to worry-no blood is involved at this feast; instead you can indulge in your favorite Italian foods from the best vendors around town. Highlights for some team members of Jeff Allen Sports are the chicken parmesan, spicy Italian sausages and cannoli’s. It is a great time for the whole family with something for everyone- carnival rides, live music, specialty pop up shops and of course tons and tons of food.

Other cultural events that happen every year are the Las VegasGreek Food Festival , the Ho’olaule’aPacific Islands Festival, and the Hispanic International Day Parade just to name a few. These festivals bring to light histories of the different ethnic groups and allow everyone to experience a little bit about their culture through the medium of food, music and arts. These festivals are wholesome activities that the team members of Jeff Allen Sports like to bring their families to and we are sure that you will enjoy them too. An up and coming event worth checking out is LUCKYRICE at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Hotel that highlights Asian cuisine.

Upscale culinary events of note that come to town and are available to the public are the Food& Wine All-Star Weekend, the LasVegas Epicurean Affair and Vegas Uncork’d. These festivals cumulate the best chefs showcasing their dishes as well as perfect alcoholic pairings. Make sure to check event details if you have people under 21 years old in your party as they most likely will not be able to attend. Also, be sure to either get there early or an hour late to avoid the long lines if you are not going to get VIP tickets. The Las Vegas Epicurean Affair 2012 had one of the longest lines Dylan from the Jeff Allen Sports team has ever seen “It was literally insane. You would get to the end of a line and think that was it then you got led down another hallway with another line and it kept going and going…It was worth it though. Once I sunk my teeth into a deviled egg tartare and took a sip of my first Presidente margarita of that night I was in heaven” he said. With over 70 of the finest Las Vegas dining destinations set up to give out samples Dylan equated the event to a marathon, “You really have to pace yourself when you go to events like this. If you shovel everything down too fast you are never going to be able to taste everything. Save heavy carbs for last too”. Someone is a pro at this!

The great success of these food festivals have brought about other great competitors into the market that have a growing following with themed vendors including food trucks, BBQ masters and beer breweries. We are very excited about this ever-growing trend, who doesn’t love to eat and experience new flavors?

Vegas and Tattoos

Vegas and Tattoos

Each town has its quirks. For Vegas, it seems to be tattoos. It is practically a requirement to have one to live here! Seriously take a look around at the locals next time you are in town- it must be a secret rite of passage. Many team members of Jeff Allen Sports go to Skin Factory for their tattoo fixes.

We asked Danny from Jeff Allen Sports what the fascination was with getting ink and he said, “It’s addictive-kind of like eating chips. You can’t just have one! It also gives people the opportunity to literally wear their personality on their sleeve or sleeves. I’ve seen some really cool tats and some whacked out stuff too”. When we asked him about the pain involved he replied, “What pain? I use Mr. Numb so I don’t really feel anything. Stuff works great”. Aha so that’s how they sit there under the needle for a few hours totally relaxed.

But that still doesn’t explain why everyone I run into seems to have at least one prominently displayed. It must just come down to the social culture of Vegas. If everyone has one why not get one? Almost like girls with implants. It is so normal in this town to see them that it makes them blend in. Maybe that’s what it is all about, blending in. Having something to talk about when meeting a stranger; each tattoo is symbolic and has meaning.

When we asked Danny from Jeff Allen Sports to tell us about his ink he said, “I’ll just tell you about one for today. This one here is for an old friend who passed away. We were best friends since third of fourth grade and when he died the summer before our senior year of high school it was really hard. I like to think he’s still looking out for me”.

Seeing the waves of tattoos walk past each day it’s pretty crazy to just imagine the stories attached to each one. With Las Vegas being a town that brings together so many different people from different backgrounds, it definitely leaves you something to think about.

Vegas Is a Pretty Big Deal Now

Vegas Is a Pretty Big Deal Now 

In case you didn’t know, ole Las Vegas is getting too big for its britches. Too big in fact that starting June 2014 it will be getting a new area code…725. Established in October 1947, the 702 area code originally serviced the entire state of Nevada. As time went on and cities developed new area codes, 702 was left to service Clark County. Fast forward to the present, it is stated that by the third quarter of 2014 all 702 numbers will be completely taken.

As an established business that has been around for many years, Jeff Allen Sports, is proud to have the 702 area code in front of their phone numbers. It is a small testament to their customers that they have stood the test of time and are prepared to continue to be their source for sports betting information going forward.

What changes? Starting May 3, 2014 all calls to 702 numbers must be dialed with 10 numbers. If a caller fails to dial 10 numbers their calls will result in error messages. So start changing the contact numbers in your phone now that do not have 702 in front of them to avoid those messages!

The new 725 area code will affect all of Clark County including Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, Mesquite, Laughlin, Moapa Valley and North Las Vegas.

Las Vegas now officially joins the ranks of other cities like New York and Los Angeles that have gotten so big they need more area codes to function. What is next for the growing city? We can’t wait to find out.