Bill's Gamblin Hall - revisited
Lets start with the bad. At reservation, when the gal handed me the key and mentioned proudly that I would be enjoying a room with a view - I should have known something was up. And it was. The view was great. Overlooking the Paris, the strip and a great view of the Bellagio watershow. The problem - my second floor room right above the street was not quiet. And I should have requested a move. Next time I'll know, because in Vegas, the strip doesn't start to quieten down before 4 or so.
Although other's might find more issues, my only additional complaint is that the room retained just a hint of musty cigarette smoke. After I was in the room for a minute or two, I no longer noticed it.
Now to the great side of Bill's. In this economic time, a very important consideration is the price. Although I've actually paid as little as $38 per night before, I think the room averaged around $48. Gosh, even in Alabama, that's almost unheard of.
And we are talking about possibly the best location in all of Vegas. Right on the strip, beside Bally's. There was a show shuttle from Bally's to the World Market Center, so I just walked across the street each morning, and was ushered straight to the Market Center as if I was somebody. Fun.
So, in previous posts I've talked about the amazing steak and eggs breakfast special - before 6:00am, the afterhours nightclub that I haven't been able to stay up long enough for just to take a pic for the blog. But my new find this trip, is the off the charts chinese cuisine in this little hole in the wall.
After the show on Tuesday, I was whooped and didn't see any better, easy options for dinner close by (although remind me to tell you about some awesome options across the street in Paris hotel and casion), so I took a quick shower and took the (very slow) elevator down from the second floor to the lobby and restaurant. I saw that the last page of the menu was Chinese food selections. I asked the (totally worn out looking) waiter about the Chinese food. She actually came to life and said it was amazing. I gave it a shot, and it actually was. Really, really good. (I forget the name) but the dish was chicken and veggies with noodles. The noodles tasted like they were made right there. The chicken breast meat was perfectly moist and trimmed the way it should be. And the sauce was over the top awesome.
As I was checking out I confirmed that the person cooking the Chinese food was Chinese. They said they were, and that they had been cooking in this restaurant ever since the (previous) hotel (the Barbary Coast) opened. And that it (the Chinese food) was the best thing on the menu for DECADES. They also gave me a tip that this item, along with the kung pao chicken, were the two really good Chinese items on the Chinese menu.
Well, just in case the price and location hadn't already sold me on where to stay during the Winter Market, I absolutely will have to Stay at Bill's and will absolutely be looking forward to another GREAT Chinese food dining experience while I'm there.
Las Vegas Summer Market
Our first showing to the west coast market has been wonderful. Seems like this market (or at least a good sector of it) is more thoughtful about sustainability and really gets what we are doing. Having much fun up here in the beautiful World Market Center, sharing ShawLiving's beautiful space. The show will be going on two more days. I'll be heading back home a day early - friday morning. If you are in town for this wonderful west coast market, be sure to stop by. ShawLiving Space, 5th floor, building B.
Rupert Murdoch
Way behind on posting here but had to share this one
Rupert Murdoch
is said to be deeply moved and touched
by all the messages of condolence and support
left by friends and family...
on Amy Winehouse's mobile phone.
Tennessee Valley Museum of Art
No trump fan here, but . . .
No Trump fan here.
I'm clearly no Donald Trump fan. Typically, would never consider staying at one of his properties (even if it's just a franchise). But, I suppose, everyone has their price. . . and, this week, my price was 70 bucks.
Although not my personal taste, I have to admit that this Trump property has a lot going for it. It's really beautiful - if you can handle the glitz. It's quiet. I think this one is only because the Don was totally snubbed in Vegas. They didn't allow him to build a casino along with the hotel. And for this reason, the property, unlike most in Las Vegas, it's quite comfortable. No walking thru miles of casinos just to find the elevator. No massess of tourists looking around and stepping all over each other. Beautiful quiet pool. I hear the spa here is wonderful, but didn't get a chance to find out.
I suppose the reason the price is so right, must be the economy. And it's really tough to see a city so clearly hurting. Las Vegas is having a tough time, and I'm afraid it may take a decade or so (just my guess) to get turned around.
No Trump fan here.
AWFS Las Vegas 2011
AWFS Las Vegas 2011
I always enjoy speaking with experts in the areas that I'm particularly interested in. These days, it's so easy to receive advice. Seems like everybody has an opinion on almost any subject. Although it might seem a bit like an older/maybe obsolete paradigm, the business/marketing model of the trade show is hard to beat.
In the woodworking world, every two years that Atlanta IWF show has been the one to attend in the US. For the past few years, AWFS has held a nice show as well in Las Vegas. This is the first one that I've had the opportunity to attend.
Really great to meet with other wood workers as well as the industry experts in each of the varied niches.
AWFS Las Vegas 2011
Robert Currey - Atlanta Market
Robert Currey - Atlanta Market
My friends at Currey & Co. have it going on. Every market their booth is one of if not the most happening spots in town! There seems to always be a party going on. And in my mind, to qualify for a party there has to be fun, food, friends, and usually includes booze (even though I can't partake any longer). Here's a picture of Robert Currey along with our dear friend Liz Young that joined us from Tampa.
Robert shared one piece of wisdom for us to try at the next High Point Market. I'm taking notes from this market master, and can't wait to see the outcome!
Robert Currey - Atlanta Market
walnut coffee table atlanta market
walnut coffee table atlanta market
Trying to get some pics posted from the Atlanta Market before I leave for Las Vegas this afternoon.
The showroom was so large that there we entrances from two of the isles. This pic is from one of the entrances.
My organic American made furniture seemed to feel just right, along side Shaw's beautiful sustainable American made rugs and flooring.
walnut coffee table atlanta market
Atlanta Summer Market
Atlanta Summer Market
I am so behind on this blog. Have lots to share regarding the recent Atlanta Market. The Atlanta Market - another first for RWF - was quite amazing. We showed in the beautiful, supersized ShawLiving showroom, and had a blast. It almost had a museum/gallery feel, with the wonderful lighting and elbow room, and of course, surrounded by such beautiful, sustianable American made rugs.
Atlanta Summer Market
trinity episcopal playground tree
Trinity Episcopal Playground tree
A couple of years ago, my buddy architect Joey Leavitt, called and said that the beautiful old pecan tree in the childrens play ground of the Trinity Episcopal church was being taken down (next door to his office). I drove the five blocks up pine street to get a better look. And was happy to purchase what the tree service insisted was trash.
The base of the tree was almost completely hollow. There was some really nice heartwood further up into the massive structure of the tree. But, it clearly had signs that of metal. Which also typically sends an old tree straight to the city dump.
It was more than worth our trouble to use the metal detecorl throughout the very slow slabbing process in order to save some of of this historical old master, and shade tree to generations of children.
This is all we have so far. The remainder is still drying and awaiting the final kiln drying process. But for now, this piece, along with a few other broken pieces, just might make something pretty special.
Trinity Episcopal Playground tree
walnut trunk / root
walnut trunk / root
This week we finally got some time to work with some of our more funky slabs. These are the only walnut root slabs I've ever obtained. So, whatever few tables these make, that's going to be it for years. A couple of years ago, Louis Bartmess had an old walnut tree fall down on his farm. We spent the morning, pulling and shoving this walnut root up onto the trailer. We found that these roots don't roll quite as easy as logs do. I saw Louis at a city council meeting recently, but didn't get a chance to tell him (two years later) that we are getting closer to a table!
walnut trunk / root
16" timber frame saw cutting through walnut beam
Timber Frame Saw
Several of our primary shop tools are down for maintenance this week. So it's a great opportunity to work on some of our more unusual projects. Here, we are using a massive 16" Makita timber frame saw to cut through this thick walnut beam.
I'm thinking this extra large natural walnut beam might make a great base for some walnut low tables.
Timber Frame Saw
the best phone in the world, except . . .
The New American Home 2012
The new American Home 2012The New American Home 2012
I can't wait to see Phil Kean's New American Home in Winter Park during the International Bulder's Show in February. Love his updated take on mid century masterpieces from some of the modern greats.
Phil dropped by the studio a month or two ago, and seemed to totally get what I was doing with modern natural, sustainable furniture. It was great to get such positive feed back from someone of his stature in Architecture.
Ok, so here's today's big news. We will be providing at least one piece of furniture in this beautiful modern sustainable home! This is going to be fun.
The New American Home 2012
planing a big oak tree
planing a big oak tree
I'm just now getting around to posting these pics of the outdoor work we did last week. The mornings were amazing, and we seem to find any excuse to get outside during these extra beautiful days.
After just receiving these big oak tree recently, we were anxious to see what was under the wrapping. As you can see, this tree was more than a little rough around the edges. But I'm finding that what used to be considered nothing but scrap or the cheapest pulpwood very often can become our most prized pieces when we are all through with them.
Stay tuned. . .
planing a big oak tree
Lion available today
Seems like the skinnier Steve Jobs gets, the better his company and products are. hmmm?? - maybe a lesson here for mua? The "goldmaster" has been released to developers, so I'm looking for it any day now. Should be some new Mac's available as well.
I'll be checking the Apple App store throughout the day to see if it's Christmas yet.
Oops. I just remembered reading somewhere that some very significant software apps wouldn't be running on Lion. Most traumatic for me to lose would be Adobe Photoshop. Hopefully that was just a rumor, because without out Photoshop I'd be "up the creek", possibly a beautiful creek with a city landfill long with a killer lowhead dam.
walnut scraps dining table
walnut scraps dining table
This is the dining table that's been on display at the library for the past year. It is made from nothing but local walnut. The varied coloration is from the mix of walnut sapwood and walnut heartwood. A couple of times a year we make a few tables from the left over scraps of other tables. More often than not, we end up with a more stunning piece from the scraps. Not sure what this is telling me, but I am listening.
We just got it back from the library last week. It took some abuse, but nothing that just a little sanding and a couple more coats of tung oil won't fix right up.
walnut scraps dining table
oak & walnut root coffee table
oak & walnut root coffee table
The oak root came from an ole friend's farm a couple of years ago. To see a pic of us slabbing the walnut root back in Feb '09, click here. I'm haven't yet found the pics of the day we Louis Bartmess invited us out to his farm and fished the big old root off of his property and onto the trailer.
When I was a kid, when I wasn't in the creek, or in school, I was on the tennis courts. "Mr. Bartmess" was also a regular, and it was really fun to have more fun with him on this latest venture.
oak & walnut root coffee table
Modern organic oak slab bench
This ones been in process for a while. We keep getting distracted by seemingly less importat projects around the shop. At least to me. Because I really like this one. I've made it a bit taller, and I have to admit, it is much more comfortable. The seat is casually raked back 15 degrees or so, and the back is as well. I just wish I could make more similar benches. Two standard 20" cushions will fit perfectly, but it "looks" so much better without them.
Modern organic oak slab bench