George W. Bush slept hereBy MAGGIE O'NEILL
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
September 1, 2007
.....
The 2,100-square-foot suite on the 27th floor of the Grand Sierra resort where President Bush stayed Monday night is being renamed in his honor, said Richard Langlois, executive vice president of sales and marketing.
"He was the first standing President to spend the night in Reno," he said. "We were excited about it. Now we're really going to be able to say we have a Presidential suite."
The suite, one of four designed by Dodd Mitchell Design, uses a chocolate brown and black theme and luxuriant textures, such as suede throughout. Dodd Mitchell suites rent for $1,000-plus a night.
Langlois would not say who paid for the suite during the Presidents's visit. Bush was in town to speak to the American Legion National Convention.
.....
"No one got to see him except for those who were supposed to see him," Langlois said.
Several executives, including Langlois, met the President before he left for the conference at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on Tuesday morning.
.....
The President had planned to dine at the resort steakhouse Monday evening after his arrival.
"At one point, we had made him a reservation in Charlie Palmer's," Langlois said. "He wanted to eat in Charlie Palmer's. He's a big Charlie Palmer's fan."
The Charlie Palmer Steakhouse was crowded with American Legion members, he said.
"He decided to eat in his suite," said Langlois. "Charlie Palmer personally cooked a dinner for him and they sent it up."
The President ordered a romaine salad, shellfish ravioli, and Wagyu Beef short ribs with saffron and orzo risotto and garlicky gremolata from the steakhouse. Wagyu beef is considered top of the line because of its silken texture and rich marbling.
"It was an exciting visit," Langlois said. "When he was leaving, we were downstairs talking and he said how nice the property was and how he liked the suite. He also talked about the driving range."
Bush had a view from his suite.
"He said the next time he was here he'd like to get out and hit a bucket of balls," he said.
The Secret Service blocked off rooms around and below the Presidential suite. Langlois said he thinks the Grand Sierra Resort was chosen for the President because of the direct access from the airport.
.....
And, the next morning, he addressed the American Legion, having avoided dinner with them the night before.
President Bush speaks at the 89th Annual American Legion Convention in Reno, Nevada, August 28, 2007. (Jim Young/Reuters)
Some say Iran's leaders are not aware of what members of their own regime are doing. Others say Iran's leaders are actively seeking to provoke the West. Either way, they cannot escape responsibility for aiding attacks against coalition forces and the murder of innocent Iraqis. The Iranian regime must halt these actions. And until it does, I will take actions necessary to protect our troops. I have authorized our military commanders in Iraq to confront Tehran's murderous activities.
----George W Bush to members of the American Legion, August, 27, 2007
This is a tragic time for the world.