Laughlin Buzz

Oct 26, 2016

Il Cortile in the Laughlin Outlet Mall

Laughlin, NV

Laughlin Outlet Mall
Il Cortile Restaurant - Review


The Italian Il Cortile restaurant recently opened at the Laughlin Outlet Mall food court and we are happy to say their menu and food is very good. 



Il Cortile is, as of this writing, the only food selection available in what we have called the saddest food court in America. Thankfully they deliver a quality experience at a very fair price.  Even though it is located in the outlet mall, Il Cortile also delivers locally and offers catering.     



As you approach the counter the display of Cento and Fedeli sauces used in the food prep are on display.  We took this as a good sign and the food didn't disappoint.  The menus are printed on paper rather than the traditional food court sign-menu. Items ordered are prepared fresh so it does take a short wait until you are called for your completed order.  After several visits, both to eat in at the food court and for takeout, we tried several of the items on the menu.   





The Ziti and Sausage was very flavorful.  Orders come in small or regular.  A regular size order can easily be shared by two or divided into two meals.  Menus are printed on paper rather than the traditional food court sign-menu. Items ordered are prepared fresh so there is a short wait to get your order. 



The spaghetti and meatballs were even better than the Ziti.  The pasta wasn't overcooked, although we prefer it a bit more al dente.  The meatballs were delicious, very tender.   We also have tried the Lasagna, Philly Cheese Special (sub) and Fettuccine Alfredo, all of which we recommend.   

A small salad and garlic bread come with all the pasta entree orders.  Small orders are  $7.95 and regular orders are $10.75.  




The  Il Cortile menu is shown below:




"I love this Italian it reminds me so much of my grandma's homemade cooking and that's saying a lot, she was from Italy." -  Lisa J. 




There are a couple other restaurant options for Italian food in Laughlin, however, Il Cortile ranks right up there with the best both in taste and value.  Give them a try.  By doing so you will be helping a new local small business and may discover a new favorite place.   

After you visit be sure to drop by our Facebook Group and share what you thought.  



If you are in mood for a coffee, latte, or tea drop by the other new tenant of the Food Court.  Located right next to Il Cortile, is Wild West Coffee.  They have also received good word of mouth reviews in our Laughlin Buzz Rants and Raves Group. 







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This review is the independent opinion of Laughlin Buzz and all information presented is for informational and entertainment purposes only.  Prices, menu items, and other details are subject to change by the establishments reviewed. We have no affiliation with the establishment reviewed and received no compensation from them.  

Congressman Joe Heck and State Senator Joe Hardy coming to Laughlin


Special Events in Laughlin 


Congressman Joe Heck and State Senator Joe Hardy will be coming to Laughlin, Nevada on Thursday, October 27th.   


 

Here are the events you do not want to miss:
4:00 P.M. - Meet & Greet at Gilligan's 
5:00 P.M. - Laughlin Economic Development Corp Speakers Forum at the American Legion Post 60 in Laughlin   (See more details in the press release below) 
Please attend both events and give these two fine men the notice and attention they have earned by their diligent representation on behalf of the best interests of the citizens of Laughlin.   


Gilligan's is located at:  3801 Needles Hwy in Laughlin



 The American Legion Post 60 is located at: 1510 Bruce Woodbury Dr in Laughlin


Drs. Joe Heck, Joe Hardy to speak at LEDC Leadership Forum in Laughlin on Thursday

Contributed
LAUGHLIN – The two “Doctor Joes” who represent Laughlin in Washington, D.C., and Carson City, Nev., will be the featured speakers at the Thursday, Oct. 27, Laughlin Leadership Forum, sponsored by the Laughlin Economic Development Corporation.

The public is invited to the free program that is scheduled to begin at 5 P.M. at the Richard Springston American Legion Post 60 hall at 1510 Bruce Woodbury Drive, a half-mile east of Needles Highway. (In a separate event sponsored by another group, they are scheduled to be at Gilligan’s from 4-5 P.M.)

Dr. Heck, currently the Nevada District Three Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, is seeking to become the Battle Born State’s junior U.S. Senator for the next six years. He is facing former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. The election is considered one of the closest in the current balloting. (Masto has not requested to appear at a Leadership Forum in Laughlin.)

General Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 8, with Laughlin’s 3 precincts voting at the Las Vegas-Clark County Branch Library on Needles Highway at Las Palmas Lane. Searchlight area voters will cast their ballots at the Searchlight Community Center, 200 Wendell Michael Way. Polls will be open from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. PST.

They seek to succeed Harry Reid, currently the senior U.S. Senator, who is retiring in January. Dean Heller is the current junior Senator for the Silver State.

Dr. Joe Hardy is the current State District 12 Senator. His 4-year term will end in November 2018. He is expected to report about what to expect in the upcoming bienniel 120-day Legislature that will begin in early February and conclude in early June.

On Nov. 2, 2010, Joe Heck was elected to the United States Congress as Nevada’s Representative for the Third Congressional District. Heck is only the third person to hold this seat since its formation, succeeding Jon Porter and Dina Titus. He serves on the Education and Workforce Committee, and the Armed Services Committee where he is Chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee. He is a member of the House Permanent Committee on Intelligence, and chairs the Subcommittee on Department of Defense Intelligence and Overhead Architecture.

Dr. Heck has more than 35 years in public service as a physician, Army Reservist, and community volunteer. Previously, Heck served as a volunteer firefighter and ambulance attendant, search and rescue team member, and SWAT physician. A Brigadier General in the U.S. Army Reserves, he was called to active duty three times, including a deployment to Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

As a small business owner, he served as the President and Medical Director of Specialized Medical Operations, Inc., a corporation providing medical training, consulting, and operational support to law enforcement, EMS and military special operations. Dr. Heck has lectured and published widely on special operations medical support, the medical response to acts of terrorism, and emergency preparedness and response.

Dr. Heck represented Nevada State Senate District 5 from 2004-2008, serving on the Natural Resources, Human Resources and Education, and the Commerce and Labor Committees, and as Vice-Chair of the Transportation and Homeland Security Committee.

Born in New York and raised in Pennsylvania, Dr. Joe moved to southern Nevada in 1992. A 1984 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Health Education, he received his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1988, and completed a residency in emergency medicine at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in 1992. In July 2006 he graduated from the U.S. Army War College, earning a Masters of Strategic Studies.

Heck is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 13456, American Legion Paradise Post 149, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 36, and Catholic War Veterans Post 1947. He enjoys reading and playing/coaching lacrosse.
Joe and his wife Lisa, a Registered Nurse, have three children: Monica, Chelsea, and Joseph III.

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Oct 24, 2016

2016 Community Achievement Award Winners




The 19th Annual Community Achievement Awards took place Saturday at the Aquarius Resort Resort. The Black Tie Gala was sponsored by the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Post 60 American Legion of Laughlin. The awards honor local businesses, organizations and individuals for their contributions to the communities of the Tri-state area.  

Mehdi Azarmi, of Fairway Construction was named Citizen of the Year.

Don Laughlin was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.


Photo credit:  Laughlin Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page
CAA Award Winners in other categories were:

Connie Davis Youth Citizen of the Year* 
Paul Stoddard
A Senior at Laughlin Jr./Sr. High School

Civic Service Award
Fred Bruno
Volunteer for the City of Bullhead City Parks & Recreation Department

Humanitarian Award 
Patty Dion
Client Services Specialist for the River Fund, Inc. 
Part owner Jester's Sports Lounge in Bullhead City

Communications Award
Brie Tyler
Our Town Magazine (Owner)

Community/Social Service Organization Award  
Northern Arizona Veterans Resource Center

Educator of the Year 
Bryan Crabtree
Physical Education Teacher
Laughlin Jr./Sr. High School

Tourism Award
Lloyd Shires
Hotel Director Riverside Resort.

Small Business of the Year
 Bug Emergency

Public Service Award
Officer Brian Morin
Bullhead City Police Department.

Large Business of the Year
Harrah's Laughlin

Green Business Award
Mohave Shred 

Entrepreneur Award 
Anita Bray, 
Owner of Javalina's Coffee Express (Fort Mohave)

Spirit of Nevada Award
Lt. John Healy
LVMPD Laughlin Substation

Spirit of Arizona Award
S.A.I.N.T.  (Saving Animals In Need Together)

Spirit of the Colorado River Award
Cameron Broadcasting



*The Youth Citzen of the Year award was re-named the Connie Davis Youth Citizen of the Year Award. Davis, in honor of the former Laughlin Chamber of Commerce Director, who passed away in August. This award recognizes a youth in the community for their involvement in the community, volunteer work or extracurricular activities. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded to the winner. 



Congratulations to the award winners and all the nominees!


Visit 
for more news, happenings, events, and information about Laughlin and the tri-state area.   

Come over and join the Laughlin Buzz Facebook Group here:


*All content in this blog post are presented for entertainment and informational purposes only. We received no compensation from the properties, events, sponsors, groups, organizations, or restaurants mentioned or pictured in this blog post and are not in any way affiliated with them.  

2016 Community Achievement Award Winners




The 19th Annual Community Achievement Awards took place Saturday at the Aquarius Resort Resort. The Black Tie Gala was sponsored by the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Post 60 American Legion of Laughlin. The awards honor local businesses, organizations and individuals for their contributions to the communities of the Tri-state area.  

Mehdi Azarmi, of Fairway Construction was named Citizen of the Year.

Don Laughlin was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.


Photo credit:  Laughlin Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page
CAA Award Winners in other categories were:

Connie Davis Youth Citizen of the Year* 
Paul Stoddard
A Senior at Laughlin Jr./Sr. High School

Civic Service Award
Fred Bruno
Volunteer for the City of Bullhead City Parks & Recreation Department

Humanitarian Award 
Patty Dion
Client Services Specialist for the River Fund, Inc. 
Part owner Jester's Sports Lounge in Bullhead City

Communications Award
Brie Tyler
Our Town Magazine (Owner)

Community/Social Service Organization Award  
Northern Arizona Veterans Resource Center

Educator of the Year 
Bryan Crabtree
Physical Education Teacher
Laughlin Jr./Sr. High School

Tourism Award
Lloyd Shires
Hotel Director Riverside Resort.

Small Business of the Year
 Bug Emergency

Public Service Award
Officer Brian Morin
Bullhead City Police Department.

Large Business of the Year
Harrah's Laughlin

Green Business Award
Mohave Shred 

Entrepreneur Award 
Anita Bray, 
Owner of Javalina's Coffee Express (Fort Mohave)

Spirit of Nevada Award
Lt. John Healy
LVMPD Laughlin Substation

Spirit of Arizona Award
S.A.I.N.T.  (Saving Animals In Need Together)

Spirit of the Colorado River Award
Cameron Broadcasting



*The Youth Citzen of the Year award was re-named the Connie Davis Youth Citizen of the Year Award. Davis, in honor of the former Laughlin Chamber of Commerce Director, who passed away in August. This award recognizes a youth in the community for their involvement in the community, volunteer work or extracurricular activities. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded to the winner. 



Congratulations to the award winners and all the nominees!
Visit 
for more news, happenings, events, and information about Laughlin and the tri-state area.   

Come over and join the Laughlin Buzz Facebook Group here:


*All content in this blog post are presented for entertainment and informational purposes only. We received no compensation from the properties, events, sponsors, groups, organizations, or restaurants mentioned or pictured in this blog post and are not in any way affiliated with them.  

Oct 18, 2016

The Saddest Mall Food Court in America?!


Laughlin, Nevada
Laughlin Outlet Mall



During recent visits to the mall the food court area seemed like a deserted ghost town.

In just the past 5 years many restaurants have come and gone (for various reasons).

Among the 12 places to open and close were:

  • Rice Garden
  • McDonalds
  • Dairy Queen/Orange Julius
  • At least three Pizza places including Mia's Pizza and Neda Pizza
  • El Chilito Rojo (Mexican)
  • Kappatrami's, (Burgers, Pastrami, etc.)
  • Mein Man (Asian/Chinese)
  • Burger Boys
  • Yogi's BBQ, Yogi's Subs/Sandwiches 

As of this posting, only two (fairly new businesses) remain open in the food court space, which can accomodate six outlets.

Il  Cortile

Wild West Coffee

The Italian place has very good food and reasonable prices.  We haven't yet tried Wild West Coffee yet but have heard very good things in our Laughlin Buzz groups (see them here),



There was hope that there would be a turn around at the Laughlin Outlet Mall when new management come in with new owners at the end of 2014.  Read about the new owners here.  Sadly, it seems to be worse.

What is it going to take for them to turn around this mall and keep the Food Court filled with tenants and customers?    The location is good, there are thousands of visitors and locals in the area each month.

*We have heard rumblings that most of the issues are relate to the high cost to lease and the poor management at the local level, not the corporate level of the company that owns it.

Many of the past tenants who closed were local/family operations who did their best to provide good service and food to the area. No National/Big chains have even attempted to open in the mall since the closing of the McDonald's, Dairy Queen and the Rice Garden.

No matter what the reason they can't keep tenants, this food court seems to be on a downward spiral, It is sad to see it getting worse and worse each year.





We encourage everyone to get out, try and patronize the local tenants that are currently operating at the mall.  After you do drop by and share your word of mouth experience with our group members at:  Laughlin Buzz or  Laughlin Buzz Rants and Raves 




Visit LaughlinBuzz on the web or Facebook 



All pictures and comments are by Laughlin Buzz


Oct 11, 2016

Meet the Laughlin Town Advisory Board Candidates





THIS IS HISTORIC!
For the first time in the history of Laughlin REGISTERED VOTERS will be ELECTING their own Town Advisory Board. There are 8 candidates vying for the 5 seats on the board. Come meet the candidates and hear their individual visions for Laughlin at the LEDC sponsored Candidates Forum on Thursday, October 13 at 4:00 p.m. in the Glady Laughlin Christian Education Center at Laughlin Community Church.
- Shared by Pastor Gene Lee on FB

Laughlin voters invited to hear LTAB candidates at LEDC Forum on Oct. 13
FOR IMMEDIATE USE/Contact: jimmaniaci@centurylink.net
Contributed

LAUGHLIN – Local voters are invited to a Laughlin Leadership Forum to hear the candidates seeking the five seats on the Laughlin Town Advisory Board. The Forum will be held from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. on Thursday, Oct 13. Admission will be free.

Sponsored by the Laughlin Economic Development Corporation, it will be held in the Glady Laughlin Fellowship Hall at Laughlin Community Church, 2910 Needles Highway, between the U.S. Post Office and the Laughlin Town Center at the El Mirage Way traffic signals.
The candidates, as listed on the ballot, are Stephanie Sue Bethards, David P. Brunelle, Bruce Henry, Martin Knauss, Gina M. Mackey, James “Jim” Maniaci, Noreen Forristal McBride, and Kathy Ochs. The 5 with the most votes will begin 2-year terms in early January.

LEDC Leadership Forum Chair Robert P. Bilbray will moderate the program and be joined by County Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak and long-time TV 2 local news reporter Sam Medrano as panelists. 

Each of the candidates will introduce themselves and share their vision for the future and direction of Laughlin. The panelists each will have probing questions for the candidates. 
The Forum will include an opportunity for the voting public to ask each candidate a question not previously covered. 

After the candidates give their summaries, Laughlin voters will then be able to meet with them informally. 

The forum precedes early voting in all of Clark County from Saturday, Oct. 22, through Friday, Nov. 4, with the Elections Department at the Laughlin Branch of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library on Las Palmas Lane at Needles Highway on Oct. 22. General Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 8, with voters in Laughlin’s 3 precincts also casting their ballots at the branch library.

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Oct 10, 2016

American Airlines to provide service at Laughlin Bullhead Airport



Bullhead City, AZ
Laughlin, NV 



American Airlines officials announced air service between Laughlin Bullhead International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor via American Airlines.  

Flight service into the Laughlin/Bullhead City International Airport will begin on February 16, 2017.



Official Press Release

LAUGHLIN/BULLHEAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

 *******FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE******* 

Point of Contact: Jeremy Keating, Airport Director Information #: (928) 754-2134 or jkeating@flyifp.com 

Date of Release: October 10, 2016 

American Airlines to Begin Nonstop Service from Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in February 2017 (Bullhead City, AZ) During a recent celebratory luncheon, John Hastings, President of the Mohave County Airport Authority, announced American Airlines will begin nonstop service between Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) beginning February 16, 2017. 

The announcement is the culmination of over a decade of labor on the part of Airport Authority staff and its many community partners who have been tirelessly working to attract commercial service since the late 1990s. “We have been waiting for this news for a really long time and we are beyond excited for this opportunity”, said Jeremy Keating, Airport Director. Efforts to attract scheduled air service ramped up in 2008 when the airport was first awarded a Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) grant from the U.S Department of Transportation. Efforts continued to gain momentum in 2010 when Sixel Consulting Group was hired by the airport to help organize air service development strategies. 

This summer, the airport authority was awarded another SCASD grant which provided $750,000 towards the recruitment of an airline to bring scheduled air service to the community. The required $750,000 match was guaranteed through the partnership between public entities like the City of Bullhead City, AZ and private entities including the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, the Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce, Laughlin Tourism Commission, the Laughlin Casino Resort Hotels, as well as dozens of local businesses and individual community members. An additional $600,000 of In-Kind support was pledged for marketing & advertising. 

Hastings noted the arrival of American Airlines marks a new era of economic growth and enhanced quality of life for the region as a whole. Each year, more than three million people come from around the country to stay at the region’s resorts, play in Laughlin’s casinos, enjoy the Colorado River, and hike through the mountains of the Mohave Desert. Now, the airport will be able to connect those visitors and local residents to the international air travel network more efficiently. 

“Our most recent Economic Impact Study indicates this new air service will generate a regional economic impact of over $13 million annually,” says Hastings. “In addition to a new era of economic growth we are also marking the end of an era. One can no longer say ‘You can’t get here from there’. Instead, we can now safely say ‘Our region is open to the world’.” 


Fly IFP - - Find your next flight at AA.com ###




*Current prices searched most likely have not yet been adjusted (as of 10-10-16)




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Photo by BHC Regional Gov.