Mark Smiley, Author at Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle

A Weekend In Las Vegas: Big Shows, Great Food And Attractions Worth The Trip

by Mark Smiley | Aug 20, 2026 | Uncategorized

by Mark Smiley

Mystère: Acrobats soar through the air during a performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère, a longtime Las Vegas production known for its colorful staging, athleticism, and spectacular aerial acts.

Oscar’s Steakhouse: The menu at Oscar’s Steakhouse reflects the restaurant’s classic old-Vegas character. Located at the Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, the steakhouse is named for former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Oscar’s Prime Rib: A generous cut of prime rib is served with traditional accompaniments at Oscar’s Steakhouse, where classic steakhouse fare and downtown Las Vegas atmosphere come together.

Las Vegas continues to reinvent itself. While gaming remains a major draw, today’s visitors will find world class entertainment, award winning restaurants, and immersive attractions that can easily fill a long weekend without spending much time in a casino.

Our family recently spent three days exploring many of the Strip’s most popular experiences, and several stood out as must-do attractions for anyone planning a visit.

For live entertainment, Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère at Treasure Island remains one of the defining Las Vegas productions. Premiering in 1993 as Cirque du Soleil’s first resident show in Las Vegas, Mystère helped transform the Strip into the entertainment destination it is today. More than three decades later, the production continues to fill its custom-built theater with a dazzling combination of world-class acrobatics, aerial performances, powerful percussion, comedy, and imaginative costumes. Unlike a traditional Broadway-style musical, Mystère tells its story through movement, music, and visual artistry, creating an experience that appeals to audiences of all ages.

The intimate theater allows every seat to feel close to the action, with performers frequently engaging the audience before the show and throughout the performance. Whether it’s gravity-defying trapeze artists, synchronized aerial acts, or seemingly impossible feats of strength and balance, Mystère remains one of the very best values among Las Vegas shows and is an excellent choice for families experiencing Cirque du Soleil for the first time.

One of the city’s newest attractions is Flyover Las Vegas, an immersive flying theater that lifts guests into the air for breathtaking virtual journeys over some of America’s most spectacular landscapes. Combining motion seats, wind, mist, and scents with an enormous, curved screen, the attraction creates the sensation of soaring above mountains, deserts, and iconic landmarks. It is a surprisingly realistic experience and one well worth adding to any itinerary.

The High Roller Observation Wheel at The LINQ offers a completely different perspective. The 30-minute rotation provides spectacular

ICEBAR: A bartender welcomes guests at Minus5 Ice Experience inside Mandalay Bay, where the frozen surroundings, ice sculptures, and specialty cocktails provide a cool escape from the Nevada heat.

daytime views, but visitors who ride after sunset are rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the Strip’s famous lights stretching for miles.

History buffs should make time for The Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas. The interactive exhibits explore both organized crime and the law enforcement officers who fought it, creating one of the city’s most fascinating museums. Plan on spending at least three hours because there is far more to see than most visitors expect.

While in downtown Las Vegas, consider Oscar’s Steakhouse inside the Plaza Hotel. Overlooking the historic Fremont Street Experience, the restaurant has become one of the city’s premier dining destinations, serving expertly prepared steaks, seafood, and classic cocktails in an elegant setting. Named after former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, the restaurant combines old Vegas charm with outstanding service.

Oscar’s is particularly appealing for visitors who want a taste of the Las Vegas of another era. Located beneath the Plaza’s distinctive glass dome, the restaurant provides impressive views of the lights and activity along Fremont Street while offering a more relaxed escape from the crowds below. The atmosphere recalls the days when a great steakhouse, a well-made cocktail, and attentive service were essential ingredients of a night out in Las Vegas.

The restaurant’s namesake adds considerably to its personality. Goodman served as mayor of Las Vegas from 1999 to 2011 after building a high-profile career as a criminal defense attorney. Known for his colorful personality and enthusiasm for downtown Las Vegas, Goodman became closely associated with the revitalization of the city’s historic core. Oscar’s embraces that connection to Las Vegas history, giving the restaurant a character that goes beyond its menu.

Steaks are naturally the centerpiece of the dining experience, with classic cuts prepared in the traditional steakhouse style. Seafood selections, appetizers, salads, and familiar steakhouse accompaniments round out the menu, making Oscar’s a good choice even for diners who aren’t looking for a large steak. The bar is also an important part of the experience, with classic cocktails fitting comfortably into the

Coca-Cola Store Drinks: Colorful specialty beverages offer visitors a refreshing break where they can sample flavors inspired by Coca-Cola products from around the world.

restaurant’s old-school Las Vegas atmosphere.

There are plenty of excellent steakhouses throughout Las Vegas, particularly along the Strip, but Oscar’s offers something a little different. Its combination of food, history, location, and personality makes the restaurant feel distinctly connected to the city rather than simply located in it. For visitors spending an evening downtown, dinner at Oscar’s can be as much a part of the Las Vegas experience as the neon lights and casinos outside its windows.

Families looking for lighter entertainment will e

Coca-Cola Store: The distinctive giant Coca-Cola bottle marks the Coca-Cola Store on the Las Vegas Strip, a popular stop for branded merchandise, beverages, and unique Coca-Cola experiences.

njoy Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, where remarkably lifelike celebrity wax figures provide endless photo opportunities.

Across the Strip, the Coca-Cola Store Las Vegas is much more than a souvenir shop. The four-story flagship attraction celebrates one of the world’s most recognizable brands, whose products are sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Interactive displays showcase the history of Coca-Cola, while the expansive retail space features exclusive merchandise that can’t be found in most stores. The highlight for many visitors is the popular “Taste Around the World” experience, where guests sample an assortment of Coca-Cola beverages from countries across the globe. Some flavors quickly become favorites, while others surprise visitors with unique regional tastes that are rarely available in the United States. The rooftop offers additional shopping, photo opportunities, and views overlooking one of the busiest intersections on the Las Vegas Strip, making the Coca-Cola Store a fun stop for families and anyone looking for a break from the casinos.

For those seeking a unique experience, Minus5 Ice Experience inside Mandalay Bay lets guests enjoy drinks in a bar constructed almost entirely of ice while wearing provided parkas and gloves. Even in the middle of a 110-degree Las Vegas afternoon, temperatures inside remain well below freezing.

Another standout option for dining is McCall’s at The STRAT. Premium steaks, seafood, and attentive service make it an excellent destination, especially when paired with a visit to the Observation Deck afterward.

McCall’s offers the comfortable atmosphere of a traditional steakhouse while providing a welcome retreat from the activity of the casino floor. The menu emphasizes hearty American favorites, with steaks taking center stage alongside seafood and familiar steakhouse accompaniments. It is an appealing choice for diners looking for a quality meal without some of the formality associated with Las Vegas’ more elaborate fine-dining restaurants.

The restaurant’s location at The STRAT also makes dinner particularly easy to turn into a complete evening. After the meal, head upward to the resort’s famous Observation Deck, where sweeping views stretch across the Las Vegas Valley. Seeing the city from high above is impressive at any hour, but after dark the seemingly endless expanse of neon and illuminated resorts makes the experience especially memorable.

Las Vegas has no shortage of steakhouses, but sometimes the setting surrounding the meal is what makes an evening stand out. At McCall’s, a satisfying steak or seafood dinner followed by a trip to the top of The STRAT offers exactly that combination, good food followed by one of the best perspectives of Las Vegas anywhere in the city.

Getting around the Strip is easier than many first-time visitors realize. Combining the Las Vegas Monorail with the free trams connecting Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur, along with the Park MGM and Bellagio tram, saves both time and money while avoiding traffic.

For families, couples, or first-time visitors, many of these attractions can comfortably fit into a three-day itinerary. With a little planning, it’s possible to experience world class entertainment, exceptional dining, and unforgettable attractions without feeling rushed.

Colfax Marathon

by Mark Smiley | Aug 20, 2026 | General Featured

For the nineteenth year, Glendale fielded a team in the Government Relay category of the Colfax Marathon. This year’s team finished with its best time in eight years, placing 29th out of 72 teams. Representing Glendale (left to right) were Sergeant Shaun Farley, Community Development Administrator Hannah Forbes, Victim Services Coordinator Victoria Chavez, Mayor Pro Tem Storm Gloor, Essentrics instructor Jenny Bertrand, and Officer Anthony Donaldson.

Peter Boyles Named To Colorado Broadcasters Hall Of Fame Along With Alan Berg

by Mark Smiley | Aug 20, 2026 | Main Articles

Longtime Denver Talk Radio Host And His Close Friend Alan Berg To Join 2026 Class Honoring Some Of State’s Best Known Broadcasting Voices

by Mark Smiley

Peter Boyles

For decades, Peter Boyles has been one of the most recognizable, provocative, and enduring voices on Denver radio. This fall, his long career behind the microphone will receive one of the Colorado broadcasting industry’s highest honors.

The Colorado Broadcasters Association has selected Boyles for induction into the 2026 Colorado Broadcasters Hall of Fame, recognizing a career that has made him a fixture of Denver talk radio and a familiar voice to generations of Colorado listeners. The induction ceremony will be held Friday, October 23, at The Dome at AMG in Greenwood Village.

Boyles initially refused the honor unless his good friend Alan Berg was also admitted. Berg was a Jewish Attorney and highly abrasive liberal host on KOA radio who liked to tease and confront callers. He was assassinated by his home in 1984, machine gunned down by the white supremacist group called the Order; his murder became a national cause célébre.

The Broadcasters and Boyles reached an accommodation where Boyles would induct Berg after his own admission.

Boyles is one of nine broadcasters selected for the 2026 class. Joining him are Alan Berg, Bob Gourley, Stu Haskell, Steve Kelley, Bob Martin, Reynelda Muse, Roger Ogden, and Ron Zappolo. The group represents a wide cross-section of Colorado broadcasting, including radio personalities, television anchors, sports broadcasters, and industry executives.

For Boyles, the honor recognizes a career built largely on a willingness to ask uncomfortable questions and take on controversial subjects.

Long before podcasts and social media gave virtually anyone an opportunity to broadcast an opinion, Boyles was doing it live on Denver radio. His programs became known for lengthy interviews, spirited exchanges with callers, and discussions of subjects ranging from local politics and crime to national controversies and Colorado history.

Listeners did not always agree with him, and agreement was rarely a prerequisite for listening.

That confrontational style helped make Boyles both popular and controversial. Admirers have viewed him as an independent voice willing to pursue stories and opinions other broadcasters might avoid. Critics have objected at times to his rhetoric, conclusions, and choice of subjects. Through both praise and criticism, however, Boyles remained part of Denver’s public conversation for decades.

His best-known tenure was at KHOW 630 AM, where he hosted a long running morning drive program until 2013. He later returned to Denver radio and currently hosts a four-hour Saturday morning program on 710 KNUS.

The Hall of Fame recognition is significant because the Colorado Broadcasters Association created the institution specifically to recognize broadcasters whose work has had a lasting effect on the industry, their communities, and Colorado audiences. The Hall honors not only prominent personalities heard or seen on the air, but also executives and behind the scenes figures who helped build broadcasting in the state.

Boyles’ induction also places him alongside several names closely associated with Denver broadcasting history in addition to Alan Berg.

Bob Martin was a longtime KOA sports director and the voice of the Denver Broncos for 499 broadcasts. Reynelda Muse broke barriers in Colorado television and later became one of CNN’s founding anchors. Ron Zappolo became one of Denver television’s best-known sports personalities and anchors.

The diversity of the class illustrates how dramatically broadcasting has changed over the decades. Radio once dominated the way people received immediate news and commentary, while local television anchors became some of the most recognizable personalities in Colorado. Today those traditional broadcasters compete with podcasts, streaming video, social media, and an almost unlimited number of digital information sources.

Yet personalities such as Boyles and Berg developed their audiences in an era when the relationship between a broadcaster and listener could last for years or even decades.

Boyles’ career is particularly associated with the intimacy of talk radio. Unlike a television newscast built around relatively short reports, his format allowed subjects to unfold over extended conversations. Guests could be questioned at length. Callers could challenge the host. A local issue that might receive a few minutes elsewhere could occupy an entire segment or program.

It was sometimes contentious, occasionally unpredictable, and unmistakably Boyles.

The Colorado Broadcasters Association describes its Hall of Fame as recognition for broadcasters who have left an enduring mark on Colorado. CBA President and CEO Justin Sasso said this year’s honorees helped connect communities and build the broadcasting industry that exists in the state today.

This Hall of Fame itself is relatively new and supercedes the Hall of Fame sponsored by the Colorado Broadcasters Association but run by the Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado from 1998 to 2019. This new Hall of Fame launched it in 2025, with its inaugural class including longtime Colorado broadcasters such as Murphy Huston, Denise Plante, Tom Green, and Mark Cornetta. The first induction ceremony was held last October in Greenwood Village. Members admitted to the new Hall of Fame include individuals like Reynelda Muse who are already in the Hall of Fame conducted by the Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado.

The October 23 ceremony honoring Boyles and the other members of the second class begins with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 7:15 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will support the CBA’s Broadcast Education and Development Scholarship Fund, which assists the next generation of broadcasting professionals.

For Boyles, whose career has been defined by conversations, arguments, interviews, and an unmistakable presence on the Denver airwaves, the Hall of Fame selection represents recognition from the industry in which he has spent much of his professional life.

Listeners may have loved what Peter Boyles had to say or vehemently disagreed with him. Sometimes they managed to do both during the same program.

But after decades on Denver radio, few could argue that they didn’t know who he was.

On October 23, Peter Boyles will officially take his place among the broadcasters recognized for helping shape the history of Colorado radio and television.