Movable Buffet: Final entry
November 4, 2009 | 1:05
pm
In a very Vegas way, I got lucky.
In October 2005, I was hired by L.A. Times editors who had found my Vegas writing online. I became one of the first bloggers in the history of the L.A. Times. Vegas was booming in those years, and tourists from California were pouring into town, many buying investment homes. The idea of a blog that documented daily the happenings and entertainments that drew so many to Vegas made sense on a lot of levels. Obviously, much has changed since then, and I am sad to report the Movable Buffet blog is being discontinued.The Vegas news and events that were covered here you will now find covered by other L.A. Times blogs in entertainment and travel. For those of you who enjoy my Vegas coverage for the Los Angeles Times, my print column continues to run in Sunday Calendar (along with photos from Sarah Gerke). I also hope to blog about Vegas again soon, and so please keep an eye out.
I have to thank Sarah, the Buffet's loyal photographer, above all others. She was on board with this blog from Day 1. She shot Vegas out of pure joy. Thank you, Sarah. Your photos, as so many readers have commented, have always been incredible. I also need to thank the fantastic staff of the L.A. Times, who for four straight years has hosted this blog, edited its entries and made suggestions that have made me a better writer, reporter and even person.
But most of all, I want to thank those of you who have read me daily or even once. I hope I wrote something you enjoyed. I am very grateful to all. Thank you. Be well.
-- Richard Abowitz
Photo: Sarah Gerke
This is so sad! Can you set up a mailing list so we can know where you will will be next? Thanks for all the great stories and good luck!
Posted by: TK | November 04, 2009 at 01:17 PM
BOO! BOO! HISS! HISS! This is just awful! Thanks Richard and Sarah for everything. I have really enjoyed reading the blog, seeing the pics, and participating in my own small way. One last wish? PLEASE GO SEE BELIEVE AND BLOG ONE LAST TIME!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Count Snarkula | November 04, 2009 at 01:27 PM
As a frequent visitor to Vegas, I've really enjoyed reading this blog. It's one of the few I keep as an RSS feed and I'm sad to hear it's going away. Will be looking forward to your new blog.
Posted by: Andrew | November 04, 2009 at 01:31 PM
I've enjoyed reading your blog for the past year. I wish you luck in whatever comes your way and I certainly hope you consider blogging independently about Vegas and all the things that go on in that crazy town.
Best of wishes,
Marcus
Posted by: Marcus | November 04, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Wow, this is a loss.
The Buffet is a regular part of my reading, so much so that I included it in my Vegas Mate app for the iPhone.
Thanks Richard for all the great coverage over the years!
Posted by: Hunter | November 04, 2009 at 01:48 PM
I'm so sad to hear this!!! My husband and I love reading your blog and we will miss your musings about the ins and outs of daily Vegas life. I'd like to second TK about a mailing list - I know we'd love to follow your new blog when you have it set up.
Posted by: amber | November 04, 2009 at 01:48 PM
This is sad news. I've enjoyed your coverage very much.
Posted by: Gabe | November 04, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Four years was a good run. Thanks, Richard!
Posted by: Pj | November 04, 2009 at 02:05 PM
loved your blog! The first time I went to Las Vegas was as an architectural student in a group. I had strong prejudices against it . We had the pleasure to meet David Hickey and he showed us some spots and his insights, I opened my eyes to the city. I visited the city several times later before moving back to my country. I enjoyed a lot reading your chronicles, thanks!!
Posted by: Juliana | November 04, 2009 at 02:45 PM
This is a shonda. Your column has been enjoyable and informative. Kol HaKavod.
Posted by: dks | November 04, 2009 at 02:54 PM
Heyyyyyyy!
What happened?
Posted by: StephDianna | November 04, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Richard,
I am truly sorry to hear your blog is shutting down; I am a big fan of your writing style and have thoroughly enjoyed your articles.
I wish you well in you future endeavors and hope that you are moving on to bigger and better things. Hopefully at some point you will put out a book of your Vegas experiences….all the stuff the Times wouldn’t let you print!
Posted by: JIm W | November 04, 2009 at 03:49 PM
Bad news. As someone who enjoys both the business and entertainment side of Vegas, I'll miss your blog. Please let me know where it lands. Godspeed.
Posted by: prof | November 04, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Also very suprised your blog will be shutting down.always liked checking in to get your view which was mostly tempered with common sense,please keep writing, it's a gift.
Best,
Frank
Posted by: Frank | November 04, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Richard,
I've really enjoyed your insights into all levels of Vegas and all of Sarah's pictures. Please find a way to let us know if you ever resurrect the blog.
Good luck!
Posted by: Tip And Ring | November 04, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Who knew Aubrey O'Day had such power?
I guess we can't rail against the Times too much, as they're keeping your Sunday column. I hope you follow the Steve Freiss model: do your freelance gigs and start a website for more personal observations. In the meantime, I'll check your Twitter postings. Be well, Richard!
Posted by: briguyx | November 04, 2009 at 05:50 PM
Damn, sorry to hear it! I think you've done a great job. I hope to see you online again soon.
(And I hope you can post here with a new address so I'll get it via the RSS feed).
John Huntington
Brooklyn, NY
Posted by: John Huntington | November 04, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Awwww, so sorry, Richard! I have always enjoyed reading you!
Hopefully something bigger and better is in the works. :)
Pam
Posted by: Pam | November 04, 2009 at 06:42 PM
In short, this is a huge mistake that speaks to the larger short-term big media mistakes/decisions we see in the news everyday. The Tribune Company wants to cut staff at the same time as losing the excellent coverage they get from the Associated Press and in-the-know, on-the-ground reporters like Abowitz. If you cut back on both, what's left? The best writers and photogs spending their time investigating why Los Angelenos love sushi? (Yes, real story, with beautiful art, and, yes, I read it.) If history is to be read the way it should, Vegas will be back, and when it is, the Gray Lady, and not the LA Times, will tell that story.
Bet on it.
RIP, the Movable Buffet and the energy, insight of Abowitz and vivid photography of Gerke.
Now, the LA Times needs to provide this reader a new reason to visit daily because it just lost this one.
Posted by: Mike Kalil | November 04, 2009 at 06:56 PM
I really, really will miss the column - it's always been 'spot on' in what I wanted to read about Vegas - funny, insightful, interesting, just insider-enough. I'll check Google from time to time looking for your new blog
Posted by: amy | November 04, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Unbelievable. I hate Vegas, yet for some reason, your blog is one of the few I read in the L.A. Times. One less reason to stick around on the Times website now.
Good luck to you and Gerke...
Speaking of..how about a final shot of you and Gerke? What do you guys look like?
Posted by: Big Karl | November 04, 2009 at 07:38 PM
NOOOOOOoooooo......! Count me in for a way to find a home for your writing. We have enjoyed your reviews and musings for years now - it will be missed. Thank you for your insight and helping us decide on places to go and shows to see when in Las Vegas.
Posted by: MarkyMark | November 04, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Sorry to hear you're closing it down. But you did provide an informative blog for goings on in Las Vegas, not only for locals, but for our most valuable commodity...tourists.
I just hope there are other blogs out there that will address the continual need to prod and cajole entertainers, casino owners and entertainment companies to take continual steps to enforce at least some form of professional ethics and behavior. Your Movable Buffet provided for the opportunity to chip away at these people doing whatever they want to victimize tourists that visit Las Vegas.
I really, really hope there will be another blog that will reveal the further drunken stumbling adventures of the talentless Paris Hilton at the nightclub Prive at P-Ho, the tightwad Keven Federline stumbling around and not tipping at Hard Rock, the rocket scientist ramblings and whinings of Aubrey O'Day (who is history in December from Peepshow), and the mindless threats to news journalists from the deranged ego of Criss Angel as well as his nightly exhibitions of demonstrating absolutely no talent, not to mention the entertainment giant Cirque du Soleil hosting that mess and taking it all out on tourists to pay nightly for their incredibly bad business mistake. These are just to mention a few that you highlighted. I just hope someone takes that ball and runs with it; and someone who tells the truth and not glosses it all over (like Robin Leach).
I feel it is an important service to inform people the truth about things in Las Vegas.
And you did that.
I wish you the best of luck in future endeavors. And I know you'll do great. Because the Movable Buffet stands as a testament to put in your resume of your impeccable journalist ethics and professionalism.
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | November 05, 2009 at 03:28 AM
Richard, very sorry to hear the sad news. Your blog was one of the very few that I checked on a daily basis, to keep abreast of developments in Sin City, but also to hear your take on the zeitgeist of the city as a whole. I hope you can find a new host for your blog quickly, since I'm making my annual pilgrimage to Vegas in January and don't want to feel too out of the loop. Good luck and godspeed!
Posted by: Gritty | November 05, 2009 at 05:49 AM
Wow, I can't belive that LA Times is going to take this blog down. Great job Richard! I've always enjoyed reading your column. I will miss it!
Posted by: Adam | November 05, 2009 at 07:24 AM