Las Vegas singer in hot water over abandoned moldy rotting private jet

by Scott Carmichael on

Vegas superstar Wayne Newton is in a spot of trouble over a $61,000 parking ticket for his private jet. The plane was flown to Oakland County airport in Waterford, MI five years ago, and he doesn’t seem in any kind of rush to pay the fee or remove his plane.

The plane underwent $2 million in extensive renovations at a local facility, and after the work was completed, it was parked at the airport.

The Fokker F-28 may have been renovated on the outside, but because nobody used it for several years, the inside is full of black mold, making the plane virtually unusable.

When a prospective buyer inspected the plane last year, the mold was discovered, and the sale fell through. Apparently the mold is so bad, that the plane will need to be scrapped. Mr. Newton has failed to respond to any requests by the airport, and they may end up being stuck with the $30,000 removal bill.

Yukon Quest sled dog race begins today

by Kraig Becker on

Often called “the world’s toughest race”, the 2010 Yukon Quest international sled dog race begins today in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the top mushers, along with their teams of 14 dogs, setting out on a two week adventure through some of the most remote and wild backcountry found anywhere in North America.

The annual race, now in its 26th year, is a true test of stamina and skill. The racers will be challenged by a trail that is over 1000 miles in length, stretching from Fairbanks, to Whitehorse, in the Yukon Territory of Canada. The route, which runs along frozen rivers and crosses four mountain range, is one that has historical significance. It was once used to deliver mail during the boom years of the Gold Rush, and it is legendary for its harsh conditions. February in the Yukon brings sub-zero temperatures, howling winds, crazy blizzards, and whiteout conditions.

24 sled dog drivers, mostly from Alaska and Canada, will get underway from the starting line on the Chena River in Fairbanks at 11 AM local time today. Amongst the mushers is former champion Lance Mackey, who returns to the Yukon Quest after taking a year off in 2009. Mackey is also the three time defending champion of the Iditarod and the only man to win both races in the same year, a feat that had previously been thought to be impossible. He is considered the odds on favorite to win again this year.

Over the course of the next two weeks, the Yukon Quest website will post updates on the race that include current standings and live tracking of the mushers out on the course. We’ll just have to wait to see if the race lives up to its “world’s toughest” moniker.

Miami Doubletree (temporarily) changes name to ‘Bud Light Hotel’

by Melanie Nayer on

The Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel Miami-South Beach has changed its name… for the moment…

The hotel will now be known as the Bud Light Hotel South Beach (through Monday) – a creative way to give football fans a different kind of experience at the sold-out hotel during the Super Bowl. In preparation for the Super Bowl, the hotel will put new logos on everything including hotel staff uniforms and name tags, guestroom telephones, laundry bags, do not disturb signs, breakfast menus, note pads and pens, bathroom toiletries, hand towels, pool towels, coffee mugs and more.

This isn’t the hotel’s first foray into the branding spotlight. The Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel Miami-South Beach has been the backdrop for numerous productions and events in South Beach including the transformation of the hotel into Hotel MTV in 2005 for the MTV Music Awards.

Bud Light has planned a full lineup of exclusive events, star-studded live concert performances and sports exhibitions during the Super Bowl weekend.

“Pro football’s culminating event is one of the biggest events on the American sports calendar,” said Mike Sundet, senior director of Bud Light brands. “As the beer of good times, Bud Light saw an unique opportunity to work with the Doubletree Hotel Surfcomber Miami-South Beach to create and offer adult football fans everywhere a VIP experience to the celebration, social scene and special events leading up to kickoff.”

A+ for innovative branding, Doubletree! Now we’ll just have to wait and see who wins the coveted Budweiser Super Bowl challenge…

InterContinental New York Times Square sets sights on LEED certification

by Melanie Nayer on


It’s already the largest new-build hotel in New York City, and now the InterContinental New York Times Square sets its sights on being the largest hotel to achieve LEED status.

Slated to open in July, the InterContinental New York Times Square will debut as the newest InterContinental Hotel in the city. Located on 44th Street just west of Times Square, the new-build hotel’s claim to fame is its size – the36-story hotel has 607 guestrooms each averaging 350 square feet, including an oversized bathroom complete with walk-in rain showers. There are 29 corner suites and a 2,700 square foot duplex Presidential Suite. It boasts 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space and 4,000 square foot ballroom.

Simply put, this hotel is huge.

But despite its size, the InterContinental New York Times Square hopes to make a difference. According to a release from the hotel, “The hotel will be one of the most environmentally responsible hotels in New York City and the largest new-build hotel to achieve LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Counsel (USGBC).” The hotel’s LEED certification was based on its use of sustainable materials such as solar panels, green roofs with drought-tolerant, plants, large windows, and an energy-generating elevator system.

The InterContinental New York Times Square’s sister property, the InterContinental Barclay, has been a New York hotel staple for years. If green is your game, this hotel is worth a look for your next New York trip.

Rapper Jay-Z files $3.7 million hotel lawsuit

by Melanie Nayer on

Seems not everything the “Big Pimpin” rapper touches turns to gold. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, filed a $3.7 million lawsuit accusing a bank and investment company of owing him money on his New York hotel development.

Jay-Z had his sights on the J Hotel, a luxury development in Manhattan, that his company bought for $66 million in 2007. WENN Entertainment News reports the rapper obtained a $52 million loan that was assigned to investment managers Highland Capital Management LP and serviced by NexBank SSB, the two businesses named in the lawsuit.

Citing economic issues, the partners failed to pull in investors, resulting in a shortfall of funds. The 10-time Grammy winner came to the rescue and offered the land back to Highland rather than face foreclosure. However, it seems Highland didn’t jump at the opportunity, which resulted in interest and personal costs on the loans – a debt now owned by Jay-Z.

Court documents claim that Highland improperly diverted funds in an effort to garner more money from the music-mogul. Jay-Z is seeking $3.7 million in damages. We’re not sure how this one will end, but we’re hoping there’s a song in it somewhere…