The Plaza has become a player in the Vegas rodeo scene thanks to Linnea Mitchell Nelson, who convinced Jonathan to build the Core Arena.

The arena has hosted a variety of events, but its main reason for being is rodeo. Linnea tells us how that happened, and how the modest bit of dirt next to the hotel complex has anchored the Plaza’s growing presence during National Finals Rodeo and all year. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed, Gary Vickery

In past episodes we’ve presented bits and pieces of past Oscar Dinners, in which the former mayor tells tales from his days at the nation’s top mob lawyer. But this time we’re giving you The Full Oscar – an entire story from start to finish, as recorded at Oscar’s Steakhouse at Plaza. Enjoy!

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed, Gary Vickery

For nearly 40 years, Piero’s has been one of Las Vegas’s top Italian restaurants, and a destination for anyone looking for an authentic “Old Vegas” vibe. 

Its history is preserved on the walls, on the booth plaques honoring long-time regulars and celebrities and in the movie “Casino,” which used Piero’s to portray a couple of fictional (but similar) restaurants. 

And all of that history is personified in Piero’s only owner, Freddie Glusman. Jonathan, Lisa and producer Rich Johnson venture out of the Plaza for the first time to visit Freddie in his office and talk about the restaurant, his life and some of the people he’s known over his many decades in Las Vegas. 

(And we take Freddie with extra ‘salt,’ so this episode is rated ‘E.’)

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed

It’s time for your Nevada history lesson! And few know more about  the Silver State’s colorful history than Dr. Michael Green, Associate Professor of history at UNLV.

Jonathan, Lisa and Gary dive into the early days of Las Vegas, how the men who worked on Hoover Dam enjoyed their paydays on Block 16, and the first casino to be controlled by the Mob. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed, Gary Vickery

The CEO of AGS (aka American Gaming Systems), David Lopez, shares his journey from Troy, NY to Las Vegas – from sweeping floors at MGM Grand to running one of the nation’s top makers of slot machines, card shufflers, table game displays and online casino games.

Along the way, you might even learn the secret of “Monkey Pirate.” And this one is rated “E.” 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed, Gary Vickery

A veteran of 11 years playing in the NHL, Shane Hnidy (pronounced NY-dee) has been with the Vegas Golden Knights as a TV analyst since Day One. 

Shane makes his first visit to Oscar’s (but promises it won’t be his last) to talk about his vagabond career, how he made the transition from the ice to the broadcast booth at home in Manitoba, and why he jumped at the chance to move to Las Vegas. 

NOTE #1: This was recorded before the newest mask mandate in Las Vegas, and before the Golden Knights traded away Marc-Andre Fleury. 

NOTE #2: The podcast is taking a summer vacation. We’ll be back in September. It’s a good time to catch up on past episodes!

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed

Jonathan and Gary spend time with J Dapper, a Las Vegas native who’s developed retail, office and residential spaces all over the valley. 

But his current passion has just begun: a three-year project to restore the Huntridge Theater and develop other nearby properties. The goal is to renew a historic, but neglected, part of downtown. 

J also presents Jonathan with a gift: a family document linked to one of the most infamous names in Las Vegas history. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery

Time to give the other Mayor Goodman some love – current Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman! She shares insights on being married to Oscar for nearly 60 years, as well as her early work in Las Vegas as a publicist and founder of the valley’s first prep school.

The Mayor also shares two examples of her experience with the high-profile and “in the weeds” aspects of public service: her duties as the “voice” of the region after the October 1 tragedy, and her long-term ongoing efforts to convince California to widen Interstate 15 between Barstow and the Nevada state line. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed, Gary Vickery

It’s going to be a legend within a legend: The Sand Dollar Downtown will open later this year inside Plaza!

Rockin’ for more than 40 years just west of The Strip, the Sand Dollar has been a favorite of those in the hospitality industry. Its intimate, old-school vibe is combined with an elevated but unpretentious bar program you don’t usually find in live music venues.

The Sand Dollar Downtown (which JJ’s already nicknamed “The Downtown Dollar”) will resurrect the energy of rock’s golden era, and provide a comfortable, modern experience. It will be just off the casino floor, and have its own entrance on Main St.

Joining Jonathan and Lisa are Sand Dollar co-owners Anthony Jamison and Nathan Grates, along with Plaza Food & Beverage Director Ryan Rowland.

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed, Gary Vickery

Quickly after he arrived to play Lenny in “Rock of Ages,” Mark Shunock fell in love with Las Vegas. And it took him only about three months to put together a charity that is prospering to this day: Mondays Dark.

Mark and wife Sheryl Daro call upon their performing friends every other Monday to put on a show, the proceeds benefiting a different Las Vegas charity every time. Since it began, Mondays Dark has raised more than $1.5 million.

While “Rock of Ages” is gone, Mark is best known as the in-game MC for the Vegas Golden Knights. He’s the guy up at the siren keeping up the energy between periods. And he’s now branched into boxing, as a ring announcer for Top Rank Boxing cards.

And, oh yeah: he was nominated for a Tony Award for his work in “The Lion King” on Broadway! Quite a bit, he says, for a kid from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario!

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed, Gary Vickery