Category Archives: Blackjack

When it comes to casino games, real money slot machines often get tagged as a more relaxed option when compared to strategic table games like blackjack and craps. While the latter involves complex rules, strategic implications, and crowded tables, the slots provide many players who prefer a more laidback experience with their own private oasis on the casino floor.

But even if spinning the slots can be a bit boring at times, avid players can always find ways to mix things up on their favorite machines. The next time youre gearing up for a slot excursion at the casino, try some of these fun tips to spice up your next session.

When most of us picture slot players, we see a solitary figure sitting sullenly at the machine in silence. And indeed, many slot aficionados do prefer to grind the reels by their lonesome rather than banter with strangers in the pit.

With that said, asking a few buddies who arent avid gamblers to come along for the ride the next time you play can be a blast. You get to play tour guide in a way, leading your friend through the casino and explaining various aspects of the gaming floor.

And when you get seated at the machines, youll have an opportunity to demonstrate firsthand just how entertaining slots can be. Find a cool new video slot packed with bonus games and features, preferably one offering low-volatility gameplay. On the right machine, your friend can nurse a small starting credit count and enjoy a string of small winners to get started on the right foot.

When they do manage to unlock a bonus game feature, be sure to hype up the experience by pointing out the various mini-jackpots up for grabs. Heres hoping your friend finds Lady Luck waiting for them, and you make a new convert to the world of slot devotees.

Speaking of devotees, every town in proximity to a regional or tribal casino is home to some sort of club organized around a groups shared love of the slots.

You can typically find your nearest slot club online by searching on sites like Facebook or Reddit. When you do, simply send a request to join their ranks and introduce yourself, along with your slot specialist resume.

Clubs like this are always on the lookout for new members, so it shouldnt take long for you to get a response. Once youre in the fold, take full advantage by joining the discussion group and meeting up whenever the club hits the casino.

The coolest slot clubs Ive seen form a tight bunch, usually showing up in matching T-shirts and other gear. Everyone plays at the same bank of machines, encouraging one another while celebrating winners and commiserating over missed bonus features.

In the end, whether each member manages to squeeze out a profit really is secondary. Slot club players enjoy each others friendship and camaraderie, so wins and losses are quickly put in their proper perspective.

Once youve met a few fellow diehard slot friends, why not see who has the stuff with a creative slot challenge?

You can set up any sort of system for the rules that youd like, but the basic premise goes a little something like this. Both players start with the same bankroll and are free to play games of their choosing. Using a set time limit (one hour works just fine), every player participating tries to maneuver their way around the machines to build the biggest profit margin.

Whoever winds up winning the most, or losing the least on some days, is awarded that challenges special prize.

Friendly challenges like this are a great way to turn the normally placid slot parlor into a competitive arena. And when you use your players club card, youll be rewarded for those hours of consistent play by accumulating extra points and comps.

In case you havent heard, most casinos are relaxing their notorious rules against filming on the gaming floor.

Prior to the social media age, casinos expressly forbid players from whipping out a camera at the tables or on the machines. This rule was designed to prevent cheaters from gaining an edge on how the house safeguards its games.

Nowadays, however, youll often see slot players spinning away while somebody standing nearby films away on their smartphone. These guys and gals arent up to no good though, theyre simply adding content to their slot-themed YouTube channel.

Bonus hunting slot channels on YouTube have become increasingly popular over the years, with the biggest names drawing hundreds of thousands of loyal subscribers.

You dont have to reach an audience of that size, but setting up a live stream to record your next slot session can be a cool way of thinking outside the box.

If you though private challenges amongst pals were fun, wait until you take a seat in your first slot machine tournament.

Casinos organize slot tournaments to reward their most loyal regulars, while also attracting new players who are looking for a fresh way to gamble. In a typical slot tournament, youll pony up a small entry fee (between $25 and $100 for the most part). Once the assembled field has taken their seats, the organizer will announce the rules and regulations.

Most slot tournaments use special machines designed to start with the same credit count across the board. These machines use the same reel design and payline system as the ones youre used to, they just dont pay out cash jackpots.

The name of the game here is to build your credit count as high as you can within the set time limit. Tournaments often use several rounds to widdle the playing field down, before the final round settles the score once and for all.

The player who winds up topping the credit count when the timer goes off is awarded the lions share of the prize pool, while other top players earn smaller payouts. Some local slot tournaments even send their champions onward to Las Vegas to compete in much larger versions. Knowing this, be prepared to play at a brisk pace if you hope to beat out more experienced opponents.

One fun way I like to enhance my slot sessions is to stroll the floor and look for the largest progressive jackpot in the house.

In a Sin City slot parlor, that usually means hitting the iconic Megabucks machine, home to a massive $10 million starting seed progressive jackpot. At my locals joint, I mostly see the topline jackpots on offer via Wheel of Fortune.

In any event, what I like to do is bring a portion of my bankroll and do my best to win the whole darned thing. Ill play the same game, occasionally switching off from cold machines, over a set timespan of 60 minutes.

As you might suspect, I havent quite hit the big time just yet, but I always have a good time playing when I know theres a chance the next spin might be ticket there.

I like games like Megabucks and Wheel of Fortune just fine, but its also a useful exercise to branch out and try slot games youve never played before.

The major manufacturers like International Game Technology (IGT) and Konami are churning out awesome new titles like clockwork. Youll literally find hundreds of games to choose from at any casino worth its salt, and each one has its own unique gameplay structure and bonus game system.

Youll run into your fair share of clunkers along the way, thats to be sure, but its all about exploring, expanding your scope, and hoping to find a new favorite game.

Slot machines can get a bad rap within the world of casino gambling, mostly based on their status as mindless sucker games. But in an industry defined by every games inherent advantage to the house, theres really no such thing as a sucker game at all.

Slot machines have remained the most popular gambling game for 80 years and counting, so they must be doing something right. If youre an avid slot player, you already know why these games are so special, but everybody can benefit from a change of pace. On that note, give a few of the tips above a try the next time you feel like spinning the reels.

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7 Ways to Have More Fun Playing Slots - Online Gambling Tips - BestUSCasinos.org

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Playing On Top Japanese Online Casino Games and Blackjack - CL Charlotte

Luxury and nature await on St. Maarten

Maria Sonnenberg| For FLORIDA TODAY

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It is hard to resist the charms of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin, a little gem of an island that welcomes visitors with hotels that will knock your socks off, if not your swimsuit.

Where else can you visit two distinct but equally beguiling countries in the span of an hour? The smallest land mass with two countries, St. Maarten offers a delightful mlange of cultures and cuisine.

Now is a perfect time to visit, before the cruise ships ramp back up and the crowds descend on picture-postcard Philipsburg and Marigot, the town centers on the Dutch and French sides respectively.

Lush mountains, 37 idyllic beaches, European culture, Caribbean flair, duty-free shopping and epicurean experiences how can you not love the "Friendly Island"?

Four years ago, Hurricane Irma damaged 90 percent of the islands buildings, leveling a third of them, but resilient St. Maarten emerged phoenix-like with even posher accommodations for its guests. A case in point is the luxurious and unique Morgan Resort & Spa. It's located within walking distance of the islands legendary Maho Beach, where part of the experience is watching the jets from around the world glide onto the runaway at Princess Juliana Airport at heights so low it seems you can touch these metal birds.

The Morgan, unveiled just this past June, shimmers in white and blue, a resort seemingly transported from the shores of Santorini. The luxury boutique hotel with 124 ultra-contemporary guestrooms and suites encircles what at first looks like the ultimate beach, complete with swaying palms, gently undulating shoreline and crystal aquamarine waters.

Wait, its not a beach at all, but rather a double-infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It mimics all the good of the real thing, minus the sand and the sharks.

With a swim-up bar with blackjack table and a waterfall, slide and grotto cave, it is tempting not to venture beyond, particularly since overlooking the pool is a set of stylishly appointed cabanas with killer views of activity at Maho Beach, plus the intimate Salt Restaurant, helmed by executive chef David Seeman and Top Chef competitor Ron Duprat, expert on Afro-Caribbean cuisine.

Enjoy bold flavors such as the Caribbean paella for dinner and the Caribbean Benedict with lobster for breakfast. Rum flights featuring locally crafted rums complement the dining experience.

Should you decide to venture out of the Morgan enclave, a casino awaits a few steps away from the resort's gated entrance. Mullet Bay, rich with snorkeling possibilities, is a 20-minute walk, mostly along the shore.

A stay on the island should include a tour of island highlights. Swing by charming Oyster Pond with a picturesque marina on the French side of the island. Feed foliage to the resident iguanas. Follow Coralita Road along the coast to the lookout where St. Barth and Tintamarre Islands loom nearby.

Naturists will definitely stop at clothing-optional Orient Beach, a must-do destination for world-trotting nudists.

On the way to Marigot, swing by little Grand Case, small in size but huge in flavor as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. In Marigot, known for its seaside open-air market, French cafes beckon with croissants and caf au lait.

Loop back to Philipsburg, where along Front Street you will find pastel-colored buildings, a quirky courthouse and an abundance of jewelry stores, souvenir shops and luxury brand clothing stores.

More: Travel: As cruise ships resume sailing, here's what it's like aboard Windstar's Star Breeze

More: Travel: Want an alpine getaway without leaving the U.S.? Try Chelan, Washington

The Boardwalk, usually a beehive of tourists, is still empty as it awaits the return of the cruise ships. The wide promenade by the sea offers a crescent beach, views of yachts, a plethora of shops and restaurants, plus bars such as the eclectic Blue Bitch, known as the place to cool down while youre in heat.

More adventure awaits the next day. Sailing catamarans such as Spellbound take visitors to Divi Bay, where tropical fish dart around a sunken sub, helicopter and cannon. Ginger, the canine first mate of Spellbound and a pooch known to climb a rope ladder, will welcome you aboard.

Rhino Safari Excursions go for the adrenaline with self-piloted two-person Rhino Rider watercraft. The guided tour offers views of multi-million-dollar villas and mega yachts as it wends its way to Marigot before heading to secluded beaches and Grand Case.

At Creole Rock on the French side, visitors can snorkel amidst the wild reef.

For a mountain experience, Rockland Estate offer the Souliga Sky Explorer, a chair lift that leisurely ascends 2,997 feet to the top of St. Maartens highest peak at 1,125 feet. Here you can witness spectacular 360-degree views of Saba, St. Barth, St. Eustatius, Anguilla, and, of course, St. Maarten.

Return via the Sky Explorer or go for the rush of the Flying Dutchman, the worlds steepest and fastest zip line.

2020 was an extremely challenging year for all the Caribbean islands, but the sun is shining again in St. Maarten as tourists are lured by the water and the food and new hotels like The Morgan.

We welcome guests as they enjoy a vacation like no other, said Stewart Weiner, COO of Morgan.

St-maarten.com

Themorganresort.com

Rainforestadventure.com

Rhinotours.com

Stmaartencharters.com

Sonnenberg is a Melbourne-based travel and lifestyles writer.

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Travel: Get two islands for the price of one when visiting Sint Maarten/Saint Martin - Florida Today

We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center is a paid advertiser of Sonoran Living.

Don't leave it to chance when it comes to planning your summer staycation. Head on over to the new We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort - the place to be for state-of-the-art gaming, live entertainment, luxurious accommodations, relaxing spa treatments, and fine and casual dining.

Start off by diving into a bunch of fun poolside activities. In addition to our usual cornhole, horseshoes, ping pong and putting green, we've got live bands drink specials DJs movies poolside happy hour menus and more.

When you've had enough sun, head inside to our sophisticated new 166,341-square-foot casino where the gaming options are equally bright. Try your luck at our 850 state-of-the-art slot machines (some that we introduced in Arizona for the very first time) high-limit slot area with private bar 400-seat smoke-free bingo hall with uber-comfortable chairs, 50-inch monitors and fast tableside service from Daubs, the restaurant right in the bingo area 22 action-packed tables offering poker, blackjack and Ultimate Texas Hold'em and spacious poker room featuring five tables with live games and tournaments. And for those who like to play as they eat, we also have gaming in our WKP Sports & Entertainment sports bar.

Ready to take a break from the action? Our attached AAA Four Diamond hotel has everything you'd expect from - and want in - an upscale Scottsdale-area resort. We've got 246 sumptuous guest rooms and suites, and two heated resort pools and spas. And speaking of spas . if you need a little extra unwinding, be sure to check out the relaxing massages and rejuvenating facials at our Amethyst Spa.

But don't think we've forgotten about the food! Far from it - with our smorgasbord of fine and casual dining options, we've got something for everyone. If you're looking for a fun place with creative pub fare and craft beer, WKP Sports & Entertainment is for you. We even have our own proprietary beer - H'mala - which literally means "foam water" in Yavapai (but is just their way of saying "beer.") Not only that, but on Friday and Saturday nights, we feature live entertainment, including popular tribute bands like Damage Inc. (Metallica - July 31), Prince Again (Prince - Aug. 7), and Vitology (Pearl Jam - Aug. 28).

If you're looking for fine dining, look no further than Ember, an upscale establishment that specializes in the highest quality steaks and seafood prepared over mesquite wood-fired grills. Not only that, it has one of the most impressive wine cellars in the Valley, with wines hand-selected from around the world. The Ahnala Mesquite Room is the place to go for American-style comfort food, and if you're in a hurry, you can grab on-the-go fare 24/7 from The Market. And our Center Bar is, literally, right in the middle of everything, for a cocktail, beer or glass of wine after a day at the pool or an evening at the casino.

Come stay, play and vacay at the new We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort! For more information, call (480) 789-4957 or visit http://www.wekopacasinoresort.com.

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Stay, Play and Vacay at the New We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort - ABC15 Arizona

Ive always wondered how people who live in Las Vegas get anything done. There are endless temptations surrounding you, like casinos, strip clubs, and boatloads of drugs, and its always hot as shit. I imagine living there is pretty much exactly how it seems in Casino and Fear And Loathing, so when Earthers co-captain Jake Keenan told us he wanted to get the crew there for the next Earthers episode, I was surprised. I couldnt wait to see what footage they could scrounge together between the blackjack games and lap dances.

They managed to find their fair share of gold, ranging from some crusty ditches to mucky abandoned pools, all located in the middle of nowhere. This time around, Jake and his crew had reinforcements from the OJ Wheels camp, with Jake Wooten, Alex Foy and friends coming along on the ride.

Everyone made it out alive without any heatstroke incidents, bombing attempts, or destroyed hotel rooms to speak of, so maybe well add Vegas to our list of skate destinations to revisit for future segments.

Jake KeenanJake WootenMike DominguezAlex FoyTyler CollinsJohn WorthingtonElias Parise Dean Kubasek

Filmed by: Dean Kubasek & Elias PariseAdditional Filming: Tony TomitaEdited by: Dean KubasekPhotography: Elias PariseShare this with a gonzo journalist on FacebookReport this as too hot to handle on Instagram and Twitter

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THE EARTHERS EP.6 - EXPLORING LAS VEGAS WITH OJ WHEELS - jenkemmag.com

12th July, 2021 by Kate Malczewski

From a 1980s-inspired dive bar in Brooklyn to a Prohibition-style drinking den in London, these are the most exciting venues to launch last month.

A 1980s-themed bar in Williamsburg made our list

As restrictions continue to ease and the hospitality industry steadily regains momentum in Europe and the US, a variety of new bars have entered the scene and the venues in this round-up are not to be missed.

Barcelona was graced with two excellent new openings last month, including the long-awaited Sips from bar experts Marc lvarez and Simone Caporale.

Meanwhile, one of Europes oldest cocktail bars unveiled an outpost in Cannes, and London gained a 1920s-themed bar complete with a blackjack room and a list of vintage serves.

Take a look through our gallery to find out more about the hottest bars that opened in June.

Which new bars caught our eye last month? Find out in our round-up ofMays best openings.

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Hottest bar openings in June 2021 - The Spirits Business

The Walk to End Alzheimer's walk-a-thon began at Watercrest St. Lucie West Assisted Living and Memory Care where walkers were joined by residents and associates from another local assisted living community. The walk route passed the local fire station where firefighters passed out bottled waters and cheered on the group. More than 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's and fundraising events such as this one, help offset the $355 billion that the disease will cost the United States in 2021 alone.

At Watercrest, Common Unity initiatives inspire a sense of community at each location, while fulfilling needs in their hometowns and supporting residents in staying connected in meaningful ways. As part of a themed series of Common Unity initiatives, residents and associates spent months in fundraising and preparation for 'The Longest Day.' Watercrest St. Lucie West raised over $1,350 through various fundraising activities including manicures, blackjack tournaments, a community art show, and the selling of purple masks and shirts to raise awareness for the Alzheimer's Association.

"Every donation, big or small, makes a significant impact in the efforts to eliminate Alzheimer's disease," says Michelle Montanez, Resident Lifestyle Director at Watercrest St. Lucie West. "We are grateful for the wholehearted collaboration of our Watercrest family and the surrounding community to model servant leadership and support this worthy cause."

Ideally located at 279 NW California Boulevard, Watercrest St. Lucie West is a signature Watercrest product offering 102 assisted living and 26 memory care apartments with resort-style service, world-class care, and diverse culinary experiences. For information, please contact Diann McDonough, Community Relations Director at 772-877-2596.

About Watercrest Senior Living Group Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities and world-class care, including unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. A certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest specializes in the development and operations of senior living communities and the growth of servant leaders. Visit http://www.watercrestseniorliving.com.

SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group

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Watercrest St. Lucie West Hosts Walk to End Alzheimer's to Support the Alzheimer's Association's Longest Day Initiative - PRNewswire

Becky Emerson Carlberg| Contributing writer

The sparse rains in mid-June invigorated the grass and brought out the mowers. My neighbor flew around on his machine at a breakneck rate, no doubt reaching speeds of at least 30 mph! He is darned sure to finish the job as quickly as possible. Then the last week of June arrived, with enough moisture to more than make up for any deficit. Even after four inches fell at my house, the puddles vanished with a day. The mowers impatiently waited to return to the yards. The edge of the field along the new road had filled in with sunflowers and Coreopsis. Considering extensive erosion has been occurring at many places after the native vegetation had been cleared, these stands of yellow flowers formed a thick corridor along a section of the road. It was a natural restoration in progress.

Ahh, but some people here apparently havent heard about the plight of the Monarch and other pollinators. Pollinator numbers are dropping all over the world. Their food and places to live are disappearing. Youd think with billions of people, many would be extremely aware and do what they could to help remedy the situation, since pollinators figure so prominently in our food production. One third of all our food comes from pollinators doing their job.

A friend in Cushing is very disturbed he has seen no pollinators in his yard or garden. People around Shawnee report less activity. Its happening. The Monarch? The stunning butterfly is experiencing a perilous existence both in our country and in Mexico. Teams of well-intentioned people plant trees, leave natural corridors, provide essential plants and water to help the threatened species.

The message hasnt permeated into the heads of some Oklahomans yet. I wish I didnt have to say this. A tractor just cut down every single flower in the pasture by the new road. Somehow managed to do it between rains. The time of the year these plants are the most vital to insects and other wildlife. Not even a narrow strip along the road was left. So thoughtless. The person might as well wear a T-shirt that says Kill all Monarchs.

My 100-year-old blackjack oak has given up the ghost. At one time its thick green shiny canopy spread wide in all directions since the oak had the area to itself. Leafless small dark woody branches hung below in typical blackjack oak style. The tree had a stark silhouette in the setting sun. In its shade the meadow voles tunneled through the sandy soil. The roadrunner made regular passes digging its zygodactyl feet (two toes in front and two toes behind as an X) in the cool earth under the branches. Cardinals, sparrows, blue jays and even a few indigo buntings flitted from branches and nests. Robins hunted for worms in turf at the edges of the shadows. Then came Tornado Bob in 2013. The roaring whirlwind ripped apart the stately tree. Ever since, the oak has hung on, each year leafing out where it could and attempting to produce more branches. This year leaves appeared, but the tree couldnt sustain them. The green leaves turned brown. Only the leafy wild grape vines give the appearance the tree is still with us. Lichens grow on the deep brown trunk. Possibly another victim of the severe February cold.

The tree will be left as a natural statue, a snag for woodpeckers searching for insects cavity-dwelling birds hunting for potential nest sites, wood-degrading fungi and other organisms whose purpose is to reduce deceased plants to base organic compounds over time. Going to miss that tree.

Indigo buntings are everywhere this year. Early spring the long-distance migrants leave Central America and fly at night until they reach the US where they spend summer. Cross Timbers is one place the buntings stay. The lengthy patch of woodlands and prairies extend from Kansas through central Oklahoma into north central Texas. Cross Timbers is a buffer zone between the forests of the east and the High Plains.

For centuries the main Cross Timbers trees, the blackjack oaks (Quercus marilandica) and their buddies, the post oaks (Quercus stellata), established themselves on upland sandstone areas. Redcedars grew in ravines and moist deep soils. Lucky for them, where the trees lived and their growth habits made harvest difficult. No tractors could penetrate the wild rough areas. The old growth forests team with 200- to 400-year-old oaks and even older redcedars. A living oak with multiple trunks means it was either cut or burned and has stump sprouted from roots as much as 1,000 years old. Some Pottawatomie County residents still remember large groves of mature oaks, but long ago were eliminated for development or pastureland. Sound familiar?

The infamous Washington Irving (1783-1859) of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow fame traveled through Cross Timbers in 1832 with a military expedition. The November first 1832 entry in his journal: a broken, hilly country covered with scrub oaks, with interlacing limbs as hard as iron and intersected by deep ravines of red clay, down which the horses fairly slide and scramble up the other side fairly as cats. Irving described the oaks in late fall as dried and brown in a miserable, dreary country with lower branches black and hard that would tear flesh from man and horse. The reason why he lovingly referred to Cross Timbers as The Cast Iron Forest.

On a happy note, the bee balms are in bloom. The stand of native minty Monarda fistulosa averages four feet in height and has been super appreciative of the rains. The flowers are mini-explosions of purple tubular flowers fanning out from green bases on tall stems. The bumble and other large-bodied bees have had a field day in the plot when it isnt raining. Bee Balm, also called Wild Bergamot, has strong antiseptic properties. The leaves, which contain intense fragrant oils, make a refreshing mint tea.

For to the bee a flower is a fountain of life,

And to the flower, a bee is a messenger of love. Kahlil Gibran

Becky Emerson Carlberg, graduate of Oklahoma State (Plant Pathology) is a teacher, artist, writer as well as certified Oklahoma Master Gardener and Master Naturalist. Contact her at Becscience@att.net.

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Gardens of the Cross Timbers: Goodbye Blackjack - Shawnee News Star

LAS VEGAS Fifteen months after the pandemic transformed Las Vegas from flamboyant spectacle to ghost town, Sin City is back.

Tourists are streaming in again, gambling revenue has hit an all-time high, the Las Vegas Strip has its first new casino in a decade, and big concerts are starting at a gleaming new stadium. Plexiglass panels installed to separate gamblers at the poker and blackjack tables have largely been removed, the world-famous buffets are reopening, and nightclub dance floors are packed.

Vice President Kamala Harris was set to visit Saturday for what the White House is calling the Americas Back Together tour celebrating progress against the virus.

But that progress is threatened: Nevada this week saw the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases in the country, hospitalizations are on the rise again, and the highly contagious delta variant has become the most prevalent form of the virus in the state, adding urgency to the campaign to get more people vaccinated.

Still, in a place where the economy runs on crowds and uninhibited behavior, a return to pandemic-related restrictions and mask requirements seems to be off the table.

Inside the casinos, guests are not required to wear masks if they are fully vaccinated, but employees do not appear to be asking anyone for proof.

It seems like everything is opening back up, getting back to normal, Teresa Lee, a 47-year-old tourist from Nashville, Tennessee, said Thursday as she stood on the Strip, looking out over the fountains in front of the Bellagio casino.

Lee said she is vaccinated and felt safe in Las Vegas because she read about the casinos efforts to get their workers and their families vaccinated.

Tyler Williams, a 22-year-old from Eugene, Oregon, said it didnt feel as if there was a pandemic anymore because people are everywhere. He said he had seen hardly anyone with a mask apart from a few foreign tourists and felt no need to wear one himself, because he is vaccinated.

Las Vegas fully reopened and lifted restrictions on most businesses June 1, though many casino-resorts had already returned to 100% capacity before that with approval from state regulators. Visitor numbers, while not at their pre-pandemic highs, have grown by double digits four months in a row.

Shows and fireworks are scheduled for the July 4 weekend, and the new 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium where the NFLs relocated Raiders will kick off their season this fall was set to host its first major concert Saturday, by electronic dance music star Illenium. It will be followed by a full-capacity show from Garth Brooks next weekend.

Over the past two weeks, Nevadas diagnosis rate of 190 new cases per 100,000 people was higher than that of Missouri, Arkansas and Wyoming all states with lower vaccination levels and the state public health lab found the delta variant in almost half the COVID-19 cases it analyzed.

Also, the number of patients hospitalized with the virus has grown 33% over the past week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though the levels are far below what they were in December, when hospitals were near capacity.

State biostatistician Kyra Morgan said Friday that the spike in cases might be attributable to the full reopening of the state and city in June and that the return of crowds and big events on the Strip could cause the increase to continue.

If we know anything about COVID, we know that when people are gathering in close proximity to one another in large volumes, that is the recipe for COVID transmission to increase, Morgan said.

State and local officials said that almost all the new cases and hospitalizations involve unvaccinated people and that the best way to attack the problem is by getting more shots in arms. Nevada has fully vaccinated 45% of those 12 and older, well below the nationwide level of 55%, according to the CDC.

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Las Vegas is bouncing back, but the virus is on the rise too - Lock Haven Express

If theres one thing thats impressive about the Russian Air Force, its that most of its aircraft have a long, rich history behind them. Even though the initial warbirds ended their service within the Army years ago, the newer series still keep the majestic attitude and the features that brought them international fame.

One of the stars of the show, the Tu-160 missile carrier bomber is one of the most famous military aircraft in the world, known for being the heaviest combat aircraft (it has the highest gross take-off weight of any bomber), as well as the largest supersonic plane with variable geometry wing, in the history of military aviation.

Blackjack is the NATO codification for the Tu-160, but its also affectionately named White Swan for the impressive grace it displays, despite its massive build. The first Tu-160 was built in 1981 and, after a decision to restore production, the new version conducted its first flight in 2018. Throughout this period, 44 world records were set on the Tu-160, including flying over a 1,000 km (621 miles) distance, with a 30-ton payload, at a speed of 1,720 kph (1,069 mph).

The Bear is no less famous. Built for increased aerodynamic efficiency at high flight speeds, the Tu-95MS (one of the modified versions of the Tu-95 aircraft dating back to 1957) claims the title of worlds fastest production turboprop missile carrier. Back in the day, no less than 60 world aviation records were set by it, including ones for flight altitude, closed-course flight speed and nonstop flight endurance.

During this recent exercise, flights in formation, within short distances, were tested, while refining piloting techniques and preparing the missile carriers for repeated departures within certain time frames were the main objectives. Simple tasks for the Tu-160 and Tu-95MS Russian warriors.

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Russia's Tu-160 Blackjack and Tu-95MS Bear Strategic Bombers Play Together - autoevolution