Luxist

Billionaire Poker Player Battles For Trump Casinos

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Nov 26th 2009 9:02PM

Donald Trump's Atlantic City casinos might not belong to Trump anymore if billionaire banker and high-stakes poker player Andy Beal has anything to say about it. Beal and Trump were once partners doing battle against another group of bondholders to take control of the three bankrupt Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. casinos. But now Beal has split from Trump and his Beal Bank has offered to convert its $486 million mortgage on the casinos into majority owner equity. The offer drew criticism from attorneys representing Trump Entertainment bondholders, who have offered to buy the casinos for $225 million. Previously Trump and Beal Bank had offered $114 million in cash for the company but last week Trump withdrew from that deal and instead agreed to back the bondholders in return for an ownership stake in the casinos.

Beal might love the art of the deal even more than Trump. After all, this is a man who won more money in a single day than any other poker player: $11.7 million at the Las Vegas Bellagio casino in 2004. Because of Beal's mortgage on the Trump casinos his bank is first in line among bankruptcy creditors.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Judith H. Wizmur has given both sides until December 3 to try to negotiate a deal. Wizmur has scheduled hearings to start in January to pick the company's new buyer.

Tags: andy beal, AndyBeal, atlantic city, AtlanticCity, casinos, donald trump, DonaldTrump, trump atlantic city, TrumpAtlanticCity

Vermont Bed and Breakfast Offers Free Getaways For The Uninsured

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Nov 26th 2009 7:01PM

We've seen an inn in Vermont offer getaways for the unemployed. Now a different inn is offering a free getaway for the uninsured. Tim and Amy Brady, the owners of Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast in Brattleboro, Vermont know firsthand the challenges of being without health insurance. In 2007, when they left their corporate jobs to start the bed and breakfast they struggled to find a healthcare coverage option that would be affordable and not exclude existing conditions. Now they hope to provide a healthy getaway to those who may be facing the same struggle with their own health care coverage by giving away one healthy getaway each month, complete with an apple a day , to an uninsured couple in need of some stress relief. Each month until a National Health Care Reform Bill is passed Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast will award one deserving couple with a two-night stay that includes a healthy breakfast. Visit the Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast website for more details.

Tags: bed and breakfast, BedAndBreakfast, forty putney road, FortyPutneyRoad, getaway, uninsured, vermont

Scottish Brewery Creates World's Strongest Beer

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Nov 26th 2009 6:01PM

The name, Tactical Nuclear Penguin, might be a bit silly, but this is a beer to take seriously. BrewDog, a Scottish brewery says the Penguin is the world's strongest beer and has a 32 percent alcohol content. Like other strong beers such as some of the Sam Adams offerings, this is a beer to be enjoyed in small servings. It is a double cask matured uber-imperial stout. A limited supply of Tactical Nuclear Penguin sells for £30 a bottle or £250 per bottle which includes a share in BrewDog PLC (value £230).

[via BBC News]

Tags: beer, brewdog, tactical nuclear penguin, TacticalNuclearPenguin, worlds strongest beer, WorldsStrongestBeer

Acme Studio Compact Mirrors

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Nov 26th 2009 3:01PM

Need a stocking stuffer for a design lover in your life? Check out the new compact mirrors from Acme studios, the same folks that make pens and business card cases using designs from Karim Rashid, Frank Lloyd Wright and more. There are six designs each are made of chrome-plated stainless steel with a lacquered inlay cover. Inside there is a circular detail mirror as well as a square one. Each one sells for $39.

Tags: acme studios, AcmeStudios, compact mirrors, CompactMirrors, frank lloyd wright, FrankLloydWright, karim rashid, KarimRashid

Glenbrook Nevada, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Nov 26th 2009 1:01PM

Today's estate is situated on Lake Tahoe's east shore with views of Glenbrook Bay and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You can't have a home on Lake Tahoe without taking advantage of the view and this home does not disappoint with a great room that has walls of glass facing the lake. The home has an impressive gourmet kitchen with shining brass wine racks that belong in a bar.

A large rooftop deck includes a firepit and a hot tub with plenty of room. A full huge garage offers room for car collectors to protect their precious vehicles from snow. The current owner appears to be quite the film fan and has a collection of movie memorabilia and a cinema-worthy home theater. Other features include a wine room, office and four bedroom suites. This home is listed at $18.75 million.

Gallery: Glenbrook, Nevada

Tags: estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, glenbrook, lake tahoe, LakeTahoe, neveada

Westin At Home Adds A Blanket For The Road

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Nov 26th 2009 11:01AM

Westin Hotels has a booming side business by selling items from their Heavenly line including the Heavenly bed. New for the holidays is the Heavenly Travel Blanket and Heavenly Bath product line. The Heavenly Travel blanket is a versatile item. It is a full size blanket that can also be tucked into hidden pocket so that it can serve as a travel pillow. It sells for $60.

The Westin Heavenly bath line includes calming blend of botanicals and natural ingredients. Products include a soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion and body oil. The collection is available in White Tea Aloe, Green Tea Grapefruit, and Chamomile Lavender. Prices range from $12 to $18.

Tags: heavenly bed, HeavenlyBed, holiday gifts, HolidayGifts, westin, westin at home, WestinAtHome

Henry Dunay Designs Closing

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Nov 26th 2009 10:01AM

Sad news for fans of jeweler Henry Dunay. Over the summer Henry Dunay Designs filed Chapter 11. Now it has been announced that the brand is officially over. An auction of the company's inventory is scheduled for December 16. Dunay told National Jeweler that he is not giving up the jewelry business completely and that he will still be doing special orders and custom pieces. As he puts it, "they're not getting rid of me yet." Good news for anyone who is a fan of Dunay's unique wearable works of art. He can be reached for special orders by calling the numbers used for Henry Dunay Designs: (800) 888-2525 or (212) 768-9700. For more information on the Dec. 16 auction, contact Jay Silverberg, Dunay's attorney from the New York office of Sils, Cummis and Gross, PC, at (212) 500-1587.

Gallery: Henry Dunay Designs

Tags: bankruptcy, henry dunay, HenryDunay, jeweler, jewelry

Hunter's Oak Golf Club For Sale

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Nov 26th 2009 8:01AM

Ever wanted to own your own golf club? If you've got $12 million to spend, Hunter's Oak can be yours. This club is located on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay along the banks of the Wye River. This property in Queenstown, Maryland is on approximately 250 acres that include sa golf course, lakes, ponds and scenic natural beauty all around. The 18-hole, par 72 course offers Scottish Links authenticity. There is also a nine-hole Parkland course. The private clubhouse has a Scottish pub and grille as well as a pro shop and has had hosted many a wedding.

Gallery: Hunter's Oak

Tags: golf club for sale, GolfClubForSale, hunters oak, HuntersOak, maryland

Majestic Star Casinos Files For Bankruptcy

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Nov 25th 2009 8:01PM

The tough times for casinos continue. Casino operator Majestic Star Casino LLC filed for bankruptcy this week. The move was an a last ditch move after months of talks to restructure debt failed. Majestic Star owns casinos in Indiana, Mississippi and Colorado. The Majestic's parent, Barden Development Inc, is not part of the bankruptcy. Court documents show that the Majestic Star and its affiliates have assets of $402.1 million and liabilities of $771.1 million as of October 31.

The company has said that increased competition and the ongoing recession are to blame for the company's woes. The two casinos and hotel along Lake Michigan in Gary, a casino-hotel in Tunica County, Mississipi, and a casino in Black Hawk, Colorado are all still open for business.

The company operates two casino boats on Lake Michigan in Gary, Indiana and has been working on getting a land-based casino in Gary. Last summer, Indiana lawmakers voted down a measure to allow this. The Majestic Star owes the city of Gary $7.4 million but the mayor of Gary, Rudy Clay has said he still plans to work with casino owner Don Barden to change Indiana law to allow a land-based casino in the city.

Tags: bankruptcy, casinos, majestic star casinos, MajesticStarCasinos, michigan

Topshop Rents Out Celebrity Dresses For Good Causes

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Nov 25th 2009 6:01PM

London fashionistas will have a chance to wear a celebrity's designer gown courtesy of Topshop. The brand has created the Dress Me Up Campaign which features designer dresses owned by stars like Kate Moss, Freida Pinto, Scarlett Johansson, Naomi Campbell and Dita Von Teese. Later dresses will be auctioned off with all proceeds from the rental fee and the auction going to Topshop's chosen charities Age Concern and Help the Aged.

Tags: dress me up, dress rental, DressMeUp, DressRental, holiday dresses, HolidayDresses, kate moss, KateMoss, topshop

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