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February 28, 2006

Free pancakes at IHOP today

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Celebrate Fat Tuesday with free pancakes from the International House of Pancakes.

One free short stacks per person (dine-in only) will be offered today from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at IHOPs across the country and, for your convenience, the following 16 Las Vegas locations:

2450 Pebble Road
Henderson, NV 89014-7089
(702) 933-0420

1230 W. Warm Springs Road
Henderson, NV 89014-8739
(702) 547-4096

1201 S. Boulder HIghway
Henderson, NV 89015-ND
(702) 558-5321

1401 S Decatur Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89102-8508
(702) 877-1316

3595 S Rainbow Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89103-1005
(702) 365-1004

2210 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89104-2527
(702) 384-6412

6870 W Cheyenne Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89108-4590
(702) 656-3220

352 N Nellis Blvd Ste G
Las Vegas, NV 89110-5336
(702) 438-2000

9480 W Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89117-5357
(702) 341-9009

3780 S Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89119-5651
(702) 737-0375

4860 Boulder Highway
Las Vegas, NV 89121-3018
(702) 454-1126

3260 E Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89121-7316
(702) 433-8430

9651 Trailwood Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89134-6249
(702) 243-2587

5970 Centennial Center Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89149-4558
(702) 515-1791

5170 S Fort Apache Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89419-1717
(702) 871-6696

2026 W Craig Road
North Las Vegas, NV 89032-3030
(702) 638-6500

"World Series of Blackjack" seeks audience members

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Casting agency Goldman & Associates is seeking paid audience members for the TV show "World Series of Blackjack."

Three 3 1/2-hour shows will be taped each day beginning today and running through Saturday, March 4, at the Las Vegas Hilton. Airdates will be in April on the Game Show Network.

You should be aged 18 to 50 and wear upscale nightclub attire.

You can attend more than one show, and payment is $35 per show, paid in cash after the show's wrap.

For more information, contact Julie Goldman at (702) 990-3210 or julie@gacasting.com.

2-for-1 tickets to House of Blues

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As part of their Tu for 2 program, House of Blues at Mandalay Bay offers two-for-one tickets for the below shows. For every regular ticket purchased, a second ticket will be free.

The offer is only good for today, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

March 4: Styx with Del Castillo ($45)
March 7: An Evening with Dream Theater ($30)
March 9: Moenia with Blvd ($25)


February 27, 2006

Vegas makes list of major bottlenecks

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The Department of Transportation released the top 24 traffic bottlenecks in the country, and Las Vegas made 22nd.

Clocking in at 11,152,000 annual hours of wasted time is the Spaghetti Bowl and US-95 west of I-15.

Coming in the top five were Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, and Los Angeles again. Los Angeles was so popular that it made the list a record five times.

The DOT also noted that in the past 10 years, travelers have encountered congestion 67 percent of peak-period travel (vs. 33 percent a decade ago). Motorists used to spend an average 16 hours per year stuck in traffic; today, it's 47 hours per year.

Grand Prix may move to Las Vegas

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According to Italian magazine Autosprint, if negotations with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway fall through for this season's U.S. Grand Prix, Las Vegas has been suggested as one of the possible venues for a street circuit in 2007.

Last time the Grand Prix was in town was 1982 at Caesars Palace's parking lot, and Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has hinted he'd like a track on the Las Vegas Strip.

The final race in its 2005 contract with the IMS is July 2.

February 24, 2006

Mardi Gras parade at Harrah's, O'Sheas, Flamingo

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Tomorrow, Feb. 25, three casinos get together for an outdoor celebration of Mardi Gras.

Beginning at 4 p.m. and running every half hour through 8 p.m., a Mardi Gras parade will travel from Harrah's to O'Sheas to Flamingo and begin again. Led by a baton twirler, the parade will comprise a Dixieland Band, showgirls, stiltwalkers, and other fun participants.

Through their travels, showgirls will throw beads to onlookers. Coupons for Southern Comfort and other giveaways will be handed out, good at Carnaval Court, O'Sheas, and Margaritaville.

After the parade, the celebration continues until midnight with live entertainment at Carnaval Court, O'Sheas, and Margaritaville. Newly created Mardi Gras cocktails will be served, including a Southern Comfort "Harrahcane" and "Southern Comfort Lemonade." (Can you tell the event is sponsored by Southern Comfort?)

Guests must be at least 21 years old.

"Fashion Frenzy" at Fashion Show Mall

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The Style Network brings their new show "Fashion Frenzy" to Las Vegas tomorrow night.

"Fashion Frenzy" is an E! Networks show for women into fashion, style, hair, makeup, and shopping.

They're in town taping a show tomorrow night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fashion Show Mall, and the public is invited. Prizes will be given to audience members.

If you're a woman between 18 and 40, you may be selected to spill your life's adventures and individual fashion style to a TV audience. Fill out the application for consideration.

Hard Rock to sell?


Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is mulling over the possibility of selling their casino to a mystery buyer who may have made an offer too big for CEO Peter Morton to refuse. An amount in the billions would make anyone take notice, and he may be fielding offers from multiple buyers.

Hard Rock sits on 16 acres east of the Strip and has most recently expanded and renovated for $100 million in 1999 and $8 million in 2004. It includes a live concert venue for 2,000 people, five restaurants, three lounges, a salon and spa, and a vast swimming pool.

Recently Hard Rock announced a $1.25 billion, 24-acre, 1,350 condo project that would include another live music venue, more restaurants and swimming pools, and another spa. It was to begin construction later this year with completion in 2008, but this would likely be called off if the property is sold.

February 23, 2006

Travel to NASCAR by helicopter

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For the NASCAR Big Cup Race on March 12, Las Vegas Grand Canyon Tours offers visitors a stylish alternative to being stuck in traffic and finding parking... travel by helicopter.

Their Luxury A-Star Model 6 Passenger Jet helicopters will be made available for $199 one-way or $299 round-trip per person every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pickups and dropoffs are made at the McCarran Executive Air Terminal.

Regular motorcoaches will also be transporting passengers for the other NASCAR events at $25 and $45.

An online tour agency, Las Vegas Grand Canyon Tours specializes in discounted tours from Vegas to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Death Valley, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, and other destinations. They also offer free daily tours to Laughlin.

Reservations can be made at 1-866-218-3427, (702) 260-0796, and their website.

Fitzgeralds celebrates anniversary, Black History Month

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Don H. Barden, owner of Fitzgeralds, mentioned that he's looking at the Las Vegas Strip to expand his business, which may include selling the downtown casino.

Barden's in town to celebrate Fitz's 4th anniversary today through Feb. 26. Though its actual anniversary is in December, Fitzgeralds celebrates in February to coincide with Black History Month. Barden is the first African-American to own a casino company, which in addition to Nevada also includes properties in Colorado, Indiana, and Mississippi.

The celebration includes a "Taste and Sounds of Soul" street fair focusing on African-American restaurants, a movie premiere, local entertainment, art and crafts exhibits, and celebrities Kim Fields, Richard Roundtree, and Omarosa (from "The Apprentice").

February 22, 2006

MAGIC and MODEUROPE jewelry and fashion shows at Hilton

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Opening last night with a performance by the Goo Goo Dolls, the MAGIC Marketplace fashion show takes place at the Las Vegas Hilton through Friday, Feb. 23.

The show features two jewelry showcases, focusing on the jewelers and manufacturers from the United States and Europe, as well as a fashion show sporting the latest clothing.

Not only will the latest trends in fashion jewelry be showcased by Jewelry Marketplace and MODEUROPE, but some European exhibitors will be showing jewelry never before seen in the U.S.

A raffle will take place Feb. 23, where MAGIC attendees can win prizes including a two-carat Lieberfarb diamond and platinum ring worth $5,000.

Harrah's suspect in custody

curtisbonilla.jpgTo follow-up and correct some facts posted yesterday on the seven-hour standoff at Harrah's, the man taken into custody was 22-year-old Curtis Billy Bonilla (pictured at right), who shot and killed 43-year-old Philip Anthony McElreath.

McElreath had been a guest at Harrah's since the weekend, and it was not evident why both were in the same room together, nor the reason for the shooting.

Bonilla is now being held at the Clark County Jail on a count of murder and attempted murder with a deadly weapon and three counts of attempted murder on a police officer.

The suspect has a prior criminal history. Four years ago he was convicted for a stabbing and shooting on the Strip.

February 21, 2006

Fashion shows with Nicky Hilton and Jaime Pressly

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Did you miss Paris Hilton's 25th birthday party this past Saturday?

You still have a chance to catch her sister Nicky at the Nicky Hilton Beverly Hills Chick Couture fashion show on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Bellagio's Light nightclub. Doors open at 10:30 p.m. and the show begins at midnight, with a party afterwards.

Speaking of fashion shows, Jaime Pressly ("My Name is Earl") hosts one of her own tonight at Pure (Caesars Palace). Resident DJ AM performs along with the Pussycat Dolls.

Man arrested after firing gunshots inside Harrah's

Earlier this morning, police shattered a 20th-story outside window at Harrah's in order to take into custody a 22-year-old man suspected of killing another man and shooting at police in a standoff that lasted seven hours.

About 12:30 a.m., a witness on the 20th floor of the Carnaval Tower called security after he heard gunshots and saw a 23-year-old Reno man bleeding in the hallway. That man later died as a result of his injuries.

Police, SWAT officers, and paramedics responded to room 2036 and found a gunman holed up inside, firing at them. Police did not fire back, and a tense seven-hour negotiation finally led to his surrender.

Guests on floors 19, 20, and 21 were evacuated and offered blankets and robes in the Flavors buffet and meeting rooms. No other guest rooms were available to house the displaced guests.

The casino remained open during the standoff.

February 20, 2006

"The View" in Vegas

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The gals from ABC's "The View" are in Las Vegas and broadcasting from Caesars Palace today through Friday. Though the show is topical and usually broadcast live, the Vegas shows will be a combination of pre-recorded segments and live interviews from tapings today and tomorrow.

Tickets are sold out, but you may get lucky in the standby line. Look for the "standby" signs at the Caesars' Roman Plaza and get in line today by 7 a.m., 11 a.m., or 3 p.m. Tomorrow, be in line by 7 a.m. or 10 a.m.

Scheduled guests this week include:

Monday, Feb. 20
James Denton ("Desperate Housewives"), Las Vegas cocktails; Maurice Benard ("General Hospital"), musical guest the Pussycat Dolls

Tuesday, Feb. 21
Roseanne, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, high-end shopping spree with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck

Wednesday, Feb. 22
Jaime Pressly ("My Name is Earl"), actress Jennifer Tilly, one of the top money-winning celebrity poker players teaches the co-hosts about poker

Thursday, Feb. 23
Marg Helgenberger ("CSI"), magicians Penn & Teller, comedian Carrot Top

Friday, Feb. 24
Celine Dion, co-host Joy Behar goes behind-the-scenes of a popular all-male revue show; a performance by the "Thunder From Down Under" all-male revue dancers

February 17, 2006

Flamingo's Diamond Lounge opens

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Flamingo has completed converting their Connection Card player's club to Harrah's Total Rewards. All points previously earned on Connection have automatically transferred to Total Rewards. If you earned 10,000 tier credits ($50,000 playthrough on slots) in a year, you'll automatically upgrade to Diamond status.

What's in a Diamond?

Separate check-in, separate Total Rewards and cashier lines, priority valet, free show tickets to George Wallace, 25 percent off souvenirs at the gift shop, free health club, and best of all -- the Diamond Lounge.

Located across from the Wildlife Habitat near the sportsbook, Flamingo's Diamond Lounge took a page from Harrah's and provides a relaxing place for players to hang out, watch TV, have a free drink, and eat loads of free food. All without the pressure to gamble -- there are no slot machines, table games, or keno runners in the lounge.

Harrah's lounge is a private affair, with a closed door that passersby can peek in when someone enters or exits. Flamingo's is completely open, with an inviting open archway entrance reminiscent of a nightclub.

Inside is a large square room set in low lighting with an emphasis on mahogany tables, chairs, and dark red leather booths. The center of the room contains two round tables that seat eight, with a Lazy Susan in the middle. On each table is a candle and ashtray. There's no designated nonsmoking area, but likewise there's no reserved seating.

Plasma TVs align the walls, with three on the south wall and two on the west wall. Each TV is hung low and tuned to a different station. Red leather armchairs and small glass tables face the TVs, a perfect vantage point for catching three basketball games simultaneously. Unlike most casino TVs, the lounge TVs have sound turned on, and each is surprisingly distinct despite competing stations.

Servers take drink orders, which arrive in larger glasses than what's served on the casino floor. I rarely saw the servers being tipped.

A buffet table against one wall offers sub sandwiches (toothpicked together with an olive), vegetables, cheese, fruit, tomatoes and mozarella, and tortellini. Bagged Lay's potato chips were also available. Hot trays were set out with the promise of more food to come during dinner hour, approximately 6 p.m.

Dinner varies from evening to evening. When I was there last night, they served plump hotdogs (and sauerkraut), chicken wings, and vegetable soup with mushrooms.

Dessert is set out at about 7 p.m., with fruit tarts, strawberries dipped in chocolate and white chocolate, small Napoleans, strawberry shortcakes, and many other treats I didn't want to be too much of a pig to partake.

Still sporting a new-car smell, the lounge is a welcome respite from the cacophony of casino action. Indeed, one person took a long nap on one of the armchairs... and was still snoozing when I returned two hours later.

Flamingo's Diamond Lounge is open weekdays 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Diamond card and photo I.D. are required to enter, with one guest permitted.

Presidents' Day Jumbo Jackpot at Station, Fiesta Casinos

Over the Christmas holiday, the Station Casinos (including the two Fiestas) offered an additional jackpot to their regular $100,000-$150,000 jumbo jackpot for playing slots. Over the course of two weeks, they awarded up to $25,000 to one lucky slot player every day. Once it hit, it reset to $15,000 and had to hit by $25,000 or day's end, whichever came first.

Station found the promotion so popular that they brought it back over Super Bowl weekend.

And now it's back again, today through Monday.

Play any slots at Station or Fiesta and you may be that random player to win between $15,000 and $25,000. Once it hits, everyone who's currently playing with a player's card will receive $25 in free slotplay.

This is in addition to their regular $100,000-$150,000 jumbo jackpot, which pays $50 in free slotplay to every player when it hits.

How do you know when it hits? With all the speakers installed throughout the casinos, believe me you'll know.

The six Station Casinos are Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station, Santa Fe Station, and Green Valley Ranch. The two Fiesta casinos are Fiesta Rancho and Fiesta Henderson.

February 16, 2006

Avenue Q to close

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The puppets have left the building.

Long-predicted and long-rumored, Avenue Q will have its final performance at Wynn Las Vegas's Broadway Theatre on May 28, ending a nine-month run.

In January, changes were made to the show in an effort to increase sales. The intermission was cut, 2-for-1 tickets were offered to locals, and the show was trimmed to 95 minutes, the typical running time of all shows in Las Vegas. Phantom of the Opera, which arrives June 24 at The Venetian, will have some 25 percent excised, but at the helm of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The $40 million, 1,200-seat theater was custom-built for the show but since its Vegas debut in September, it's been consistently playing at a little over half capacity on weeknights. In a smaller theater such as the 796-seat John Golden Theatre on Broadway (where Avenue Q is still running), that crowd would be acceptable. At Wynn, it was turning a profit but not the profit they'd hoped.

With the closing Wynn will also relinquish their exclusivity outside of New York, and Avenue Q will be able to tour after May, which it had expected to do before Wynn snapped up the rights.

The theater will be renovated (designed by set and costume designer Tim Hatley and creator Eric Idle), expanded, renamed ("Spamalot Experience and Grail Theatre"), and reopened March 2007 for 2005's Tony Award winner for best musical, Monty Python's Spamalot. Avenue Q won three Tony Awards the previous year, including best musical.

Tickets for Avenue Q can still be purchased at (702) 770-7000, (888) 320-7123, or www.wynnlasvegas.com.

New slogan for Las Vegas launched

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The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which spent $85 million marketing their 2002 slogan "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas," is launching their new ad campaign "Be Anyone" with a trip sweepstakes.

Their site also gives the user a chance to create a new identity. Mine was Lolita from South Dakota, and I'm a hip hop producer. The handy character guide describes how to be who I am, complete with what I should wear, how I should act, how I should talk ("Celizzle Dizizzle has some mad pipes"), my own website, and other fun stuff. I can even print a business card with my new identity.

Through March 27, enter the sweepstakes to win roundtrip airfare for two to Vegas with accommodations.

February 15, 2006

The NFL vs. Las Vegas plus NBC

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A couple years ago, the NFL put its foot down on Super Bowl parties at Las Vegas casinos, saying that their mere existence violated the league's copyright of the game.

The words "Super Bowl" can't be used without the NFL's permission (a defiant "no") and to even whisper it in a public place would be considered trademark infringement, along the lines of whoever sings "Happy Birthday to You" without throwing some birthday cake to the Hill sisters.

The NFL regularly sends cease-and-desist letters emphasizing the fact that you can't air the game on multiple or big-screen TVs unless you've normally shown sports that way (sportsbooks are off the hook), and you can't charge admission. But within that letter is also a mention that they can at any time revisit their ruling and come down harder on establishments, which basically means they could prevent any NFL game from airing in sportsbooks or casino bars.

Yep, they mean business. And Vegas is complying, because the Super Bowl is the biggest sports betting day of the year, with almost $100 million in wagers.

No, that's not the reason we didn't mention Super Bowl events in these pages, it's just that while there were many hosted by casinos, they just weren't advertised and were mostly confined to private parties to special invitees. The strip clubs were the brave pioneers, using words such as the "Big Game" or "Super Sunday" or "Super Game" or "Super Balls, not just the ones in your pants" (okay, we made up that last one, but wouldn't it make a good promo?).

The rift between the NFL and Vegas is big enough that you may also have noticed you haven't seen and won't in the future see any ads touting Las Vegas during the Super Bowl.

So much is the NFL trying to distance themselves from gambling and Las Vegas, that not only can NFL players (and officials) not gamble on any sports, they can't visit Las Vegas during the season.

And in the oddest move yet, NBC (which has Sunday night football) recently announced that they're moving their TV series "Las Vegas" away from its regular Mondays at 9 p.m. timeslot to distance itself from the NFL on Sundays.

See, NBC would want to advertise "Las Vegas" on Sundays, and they can't because it mentions Las Vegas. So the show's heading to Fridays at 9 p.m.

And if you believe that, we have a Vegas Brooklyn Bridge to sell you.

This is a spin if we've ever seen one, with NBC capitalizing on the NFL and Vegas feud. Free publicity touting their show and its new timeslot, making good news out of bad.

Because the bad news is what NBC isn't telling you -- that in its current slot, "Las Vegas" is rated quite a distance behind its competing shows "24" on FOX, "Two and a Half Men" and "Courting Alex" on CBS, and "The Bachelor" on ABC.

Register for Las Vegas Marathon 2006

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It's still over 300 days away, but if you like to plan in advance, registrations are now being accepted for the Las Vegas Marathon on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006.

Cost is $95.

Last year's registrants are automatically registered for this and future years.

To register and for more information, visit www.lvmarathon.com.

For stats on last year's finishers and race results, click here.

February 14, 2006

Bourbon Street imploded

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The defunct 166-room Bourbon Street Hotel and Casino was imploded early this morning.

Near the Strip and Flamingo Rd. between the current Barbary Coast and Westin, Bourbon Street began in 1980 as the Shenandoah, with Wayne Newton as one of its original investors. In 1985, the casino became New Orleans-themed Bourbon Street and went through a series of owners while retaining its name.

Harrah's purchased the property in March 2005, intending to use its eight acres for redevelopment. They gave casino employees notice they were closing that October, but an unexpected water main break prompted them to shut down earlier.

Since then, the casino has been dark, with parts of it being gutted the past few weeks.

Harrah's still remains mum about their plans for the space (they also own the strip mall where Italian restaurant Battista's Hole in the Wall is located), but with MGM's CityCenter and Boyd's Echelon hogging the spotlight, expect a multi-billion-dollar announcement soon.

Valentine's Day Vegas

Some Valentine's Day happenin's, whether you're single or ball-and-chained:


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ghostbar at The Palms gives the local ladies free Johnny Love Passion vodka from 11 p.m. to midnight. The first 150 ladies admitted also receive a free giftbag.


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A benefit for Golden Rainbow (a nonprofit helping those with HIV/AIDS in Vegas), Krave hosts Naked Hearts, billed as a chocolate production that melts in your mouth and not in your hands. The show includes performances from Folies Bergere, Chippendales, La Cage, A New Day, Mamma Mia, The Vamps, and Culture Shock, and includes a kissing booth, chocolate massages, cupid aerialists, and naked heart talent. $20 cover, all of which goes to Golden Rainbow.


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Desperate Housewife Nicolette Sheridan hosts Valentine's Day at Pure in the Pussycat Dolls Lounge with guest singer Willa Ford. Cindy "the most free downloaded woman on the Internet" Margolis and Resident DJ AM host in the main room.


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February 13, 2006

Frank Gehry unveils design for Alzheimer's Institute

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Instantly raising the bar for architectural design in Las Vegas, famed celebrity architect Frank Gehry has released his 11-month design for an Alzheimer's research center.

To be located in the vacant 61-acre Union Park near downtown Las Vegas, the Lou Ruvo Alzheimer's Institute's $50 million price tag pales in comparison to two other projects on his plate -- the $3.5 billion redevelopment of six blocks in Brooklyn, New York, and the $1.8 billion makeover of downtown Los Angeles' Grand Avenue.

Gehry, who turns 77 later this month and who won the Pritzker Prize in 1989 (architects' top honor), is known for such experimental, angular, undulating designs as the Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles) and the Experience Music Project (Seattle).

Expect no less with the Alzheimer's Institute. Some say his buildings look like crumpled balls of steel or playful stacks of building blocks. However described, his controversial designs are original and very Gehry.

Funded by Larry Ruvo, managing director of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, the proposed center will house the research and treatment of neurological disorders. Ruvo named it after his father.

Part of Gehry's design involves a five-story medical building using his signature contorted steel. Seen from Grand Central Parkway and Bonneville Avenue with a glimpse from I-15, the facility appears as a large sunlit atrium enveloped with a glass and steel curtain with a curved ceiling 75 feet high. Some offices will be windowless, while others will be transparent.

The building will be situated as an iconic gateway into Union Park's proposed urban village. Other structures proposed (not by Gehry) include a high-rise condominium, a baseball stadium, a new city hall, and a performing arts center.

This is Gehry's first permanent work in Vegas, having previously worked on a motorcycle exhibit installation at the Venetian's Guggenheim Museum (he designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain). He's known to shun all things gambling, which may be why he hasn't taken on any casino projects.

Groundbreaking is expected at the end of the year, with completion in 2008.

Get Screwed at Art Bar

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We'll be back with more traditional Valentine's Day activities tomorrow, but we kinda like this one from Art Bar in downtown Las Vegas at 1511 Main Street, 702-437-ARTS. (Their website has been up since the bar's inception, but still displays nothing but their logo.)

For singles on their own on V-Day and brave enough to roam around happy couples, Art Bar offers a Nuts & Bolts event.

Single men receive a nut (get it?) and single women receive a bolt. Your task is to find the right nut for your bolt or vice versa.

If you do, you've made a match and you get $20 in bar credit, along with instant conversation.

February 11, 2006

"Lost Weekend: Las Vegas" airs next week

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While the East Coast is being blanketed in snow, why not dream of warmer weather with the Travel Channel's "Lost Weekend" series?

This time the reality show features two former Peace Corps workers who reunite in Las Vegas for indoor skydiving, race car driving at 130 mph, betting it all at the blackjack table, and attempting to score with the ladies.

"Lost Weekend: Las Vegas" airs Feb. 12 at 9 p.m., Feb. 13 at midnight, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m., Feb. 20 at 9 p.m., and Feb. 21 at midnight. Check your local listings.

February 10, 2006

Free admission to Deja Vu

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Deja Vu, the McDonald's of strip clubs, offers free admission by using this pass, worth $15.

Better yet, this pass is good at most Deja Vus around the country and not limited to Vegas.

If you're a Vegas local, however, entering the Deja Vu at 3247 Industrial Rd. before 5 p.m. will not only gain you free admission, but free drinks (non-alcoholic, being fully nude) as well. Just show your photo I.D. at the door. Because no alcohol is allowed, the minimum age to enter is 18.

The cost of shower, couch, and table dances are $20. Theme dances are $30. The VIP room is $300 per half hour.

The pass is also good for Little Darlings at 1514 Western Ave.

The Harlem Globetrotters perform one night only

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On Feb. 15 at 7 p.m., the Harlem Globetrotters will make their only appearance in Vegas this season at The Orleans.

Known for their flying athleticism and providing nonstop entertainment to over 120 million fans for over 80 years, the Globetrotters will also sign autographs after the show.

Tickets range from $9 to $95 and can be purchased in advance at www.orleansarena.com.

February 9, 2006

Tupac Shakur returns... in wax

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Ten years after his death, he's still putting out rap albums... and now he'll be a wax figure at Madame Tussauds wax museum near Venetian at 3377 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

Tupac Shakur will be the latest celebrity to be immortalized in wax, joining other musicians including Elton John, Prince, Billy Idol, Mick Jagger, and Elvis.

Shakur will be modeled shirtless showing off his tattoos and wearing a bandana.

The model will be part of a new attraction at the museum, offering a high-tech system to hear the musicians in action.

General admission is $22.95 for adults, $14.95 for students and seniors, and $12.95 for children.

MGM CityCenter increases budget to $7 billion

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Originally targeted at $5 billion, MGM Mirage announced today that they're boosting the budget on their CityCenter project to $7 billion, a 20 percent increase.

As part of the additional funds, more residential space will be accommodated, the hotel and casino will be upgraded, and a new monorail connecting to Bellagio and Monte Carlo will be built. The current monorail between Bellagio and Monte Carlo is no longer functional because of the project.

Architect Cesar Pelli will be designing the casino, with Daniel Libeskind and Norman Foster overseeing the retail complex and hotel.

Groundbreaking is still expected to begin mid-2006, with an opening at the end of 2009.

When completed, the 66-acre CityCenter will be the largest privately financed development in the U.S. It will be larger than New York City's Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and SoHo combined.

February 8, 2006

Sunset Station poker offers for February

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A flier for Sunset Station advertises the latest poker deals for February:

  • play 50 hours and receive a Jumbo Jacket
  • get a royal flush (no showdown necessary) and receive $1,000
  • the first 10 players in Omaha High before noon on weekdays receive $100 in chips for $100 in cash

Wait, what was that last one? Seems there was a misprint on the flier. Omaha Hi players will actually receive an extra $10 as part of their $100 buy-in, provided they play at least two hours.

All this, and players still receive $1 per hour in comps, redeemable at not only any Sunset restaurant but any Station Casino restaurant.

Topless poker tournaments cancelled

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Before even getting to remove one stitch of clothing, the topless poker tournaments at Sin mentioned in this post have been cancelled. They were previously scheduled every Tuesday beginning Feb. 7.

At the 11th hour, gentlemen's club Sin (3525 W. Russell Rd.) was told by the Gaming Commission that the tournaments are a no-no, despite having neither an entry fee nor cash prizes. Sin is in the process of obtaining a license of video poker, which may have caused the scolding.

A handful of poker players (including yours truly) were sadly turned away as we tried to enter.

There's some consolation in that entry to the nonpoker strip club is still free, with Sin being the only club to offer no cover charge.

February 7, 2006

Top Dogs in Vegas

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The American Kennel Club announced the 10 most popular dogs in Las Vegas for last year.

If the list had gone to 11th, we believe it would've been a puggle (a cross between a pug and a beagle and too adorable for words).

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Remember, this is only an exhibition, not a competition, so please, no wagering. Waitasec, this is Vegas. Scratch that last part.

If your dog didn't make the list, there's always next year.

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Shih Tzu
5. Dachshund
6. Bulldog
7. Poodle
8. German Shepherd
9. Pomeranian
10. Miniature Schnauzer


To see how your canine Q rating stacks up against other dogs across the country, here are the stats:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. German Shepherd
5. Beagle
6. Dachshund
7. Boxer
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Miniature Schnauzer

2006 Career Fair at Wynn

On Thursday, Feb. 9, Wynn Las Vegas hosts the 2006 Career Fair.

Over 45 companies will be in attendance doing on-the-spot interviews and seeking to fill positions.

Sponsored by Greenspun Media Group, "the News," I-Business, Las Vegas Weekly, KTUD UPN Cable 14, and News Radio 970 AM.

February 6, 2006

Star Jones Reynolds Book Signing, Feb. 20

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Star Jones Reynolds ("The View") is on a book tour promoting Shine, whose subtitle is "a Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love."

She'll be doing a reading and will sign books on Feb. 20 at Barnes and Noble, 8915 W. Charleston.

Purple Reign, Prince Tribute Band, continues performances

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What we most miss about the Boardwalk being gone is the Prince tribute band Purple Reign that gave free late-night weekend performances.

We had nothing to fear, as Purple Reign is busier than ever, now traveling locally. Plus, cost is dirt cheap.

Here's their new schedule, good through through the end of February.

Sundays at 10 p.m.: Mandalay Bay, House of Blues (locals are free)
Wednesdays at 10 p.m.: Monte Carlo, The Brewpub (free)
Thursdays at 9 p.m.: Sunset Station, Club Madrid ($5)
Fridays-Saturdays at 10:30 p.m.: Santa Fe Station, Chrome ($5)

Songs performed include:

Let's Go Crazy
You've Got the Look
Alphabet St.
Kiss
Cream
Take Me With You
Raspberry Beret
Little Red Corvette
The Beautiful Ones
I Could Never take The Place Of Your Man
1999
I Would Die 4 U
Baby I'm A Star
Get Off
Erotic City
Pop Life
Pussy Control
Head
Controversy
I Feel 4 U
‏Computer Blue
Darlin' Nikki
Girls & Boys
Love Bizarre
She's Always In My Hair
When Doves Cry
Purple Rain
If I Was Your Girlfriend
I Wanna Be Your Lover
7
Anotherloverholenyohead
Sexy M.F.
Peach

February 3, 2006

Hooters Casino: a quick review

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With today's opening of the new Hooters hotel-casino, The Palms and Hard Rock have some busty competition in luring the 20something crowd to Las Vegas.

I joined the remaining drunken revelers a block east of the Las Vegas Strip (East Tropicana across from MGM Grand) at 3 a.m. early this morning for a sneak preview that began Thursday at 9 p.m.. Most of the crowd had died down, and Cindy Margolis, Brooke Burke, and KISS' Gene Simmons had left (though not together).

Billed as "the cure for the common casino," $130 million and 10 months were spent erasing all traces of the former Hotel San Remo that stood in its space (as well as Howard Johnson's, Paradise Hotel & Casino, 20th Century Hotel & Casino, Treasury, Pacifica, and Polynesian that have all shared residence since the building's inception in 1973).


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Curbs were still being painted orange hours before the grand opening.


hooterscasino3.jpgMuch of the renovation was spent on the casino floor, the 696 guest rooms, and the nine restaurants and bars. They may have run out of money by the time attention was placed on the outside signage -- either this remaining San Remo sign on the parking garage is slated to be replaced, or it's part of Hooters' "delightfully tacky, yet unrefined" haute couture.

Fifteen miles of cedar was liberally used throughout the casino, and its tin roof ceiling and splashes of orange make it one of the brighter, playful casinos in town. Were it not for the gaming, you might think you were at a beach resort in Florida.

What sets apart a small casino such as Hard Rock is its classy circular design, with bar in the center, table games surrounding, and slots on the outer rim.

At Hooters, there's no such class (proudly intentional, I'm sure). But gambling at the Hooters casino is akin to gambling in a crowded Hooters restaurant. I felt as stuffed into the casino as a Hooters girl in a tanktop. The main bar greets you at the entrance, which could become a fire hazard when crowded, not to mention a hassle to push through to get to blackjack. I would say the focus is on the brand more than the gaming, but almost 700 slot machines competing with my claustrophobia would say otherwise.

Once past the bar, a party pit showcases Hooters Calendar Girls dealing blackjack from automatic shufflers. A small sign displays table limits, along with a reminder that tipping dealers by betting for them is allowed, the first blatant encouragement of tipping I've seen in a casino.

Rows of slot machines (including Hooters-branded reels) are set at angles, making it difficult to maneuver without bumping into seated players, particularly if you've had a few Hooters cocktails.

A Hooters Ford Thunderbird sits to one side on museum-like display, but you're out of luck because not even three 7s will win it.

In back are further table games with keno to come and a poker room thrown in as an afterthought -- just three tables (no-limit and limit) shoved into what may have originally been a bar.

The bar Porch Dogs had live music blasting rock'n'roll and the club was full of people happily dancing through the grand opening.

Restaurants align the sides of the casino, including the Vegas debut of upscale seafood and steakhouse Dan Marino's Fine Food and Spirits (owned by the former Miami Dolphins quarterback and NFL Hall of Famer), originally from Hooters' home base of Florida.

The ever familiar Hooters uniform can be seen throughout the casino, mainly at the bar and restaurant, the second-largest Hooters restaurant in the country. Outside the Party Pit, table dealers wear regular uniforms. A quarter of the 1,100 employees will don the orange short-shorts and white tanktops that made the chain popular 23 years ago. With the hotel part of the casino not opening until Feb. 6, it remains to be seen whether housekeeping will also wear the uniforms, though this may just be wishful thinking on my part.

There was talk of a possible update of the cocktail waitress uniform, but it all remains the same... and, well, dated. Apparently being a Hooters girl has strict, wholesome family values.

One innovation is the Orange Hotline, a phone installed at each of the 400-some Hooters restaurants across the country that provides a direct line to the reservations desk in the Hooters Casino. If you're craving some three-card poker with your three-mile-island hot sauce, take comfort in knowing you're mere steps away from booking a Vegas vacation.

The Hooters Casino is a nice addition to the Strip and a choice destination for anyone craving their popular wings. But for a gaming experience, I'd rather go across the street to MGM, tanktop or no tanktop.


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If you miss the exit and park in Tropicana's open parking lot next door, park at your own risk.


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But if you park there anyway, here's the shortcut entrance (through bushes).

Topless poker tournaments at Sin

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If you think playing AK from early position is difficult, try playing it while getting a lapdance.

Beginning Feb. 7 and running every Tuesday at 9 p.m. through December, "going all-in" takes on a different meaning at the no-limit hold'em poker tournaments at Sin. Yes, that Sin, the gentlemen's club at 3525 W. Russell Road (at Valley View, west of I-15, behind Mandalay Bay).

No buy-in and no cover charge (no cover charge anyway at Sin), but plenty of female dealers taking off a piece of clothing as blinds rise.

Winners receive a choice of prizes ranging from iPods and TVs to humidors and wine baskets, or what sponsors donate.

Each winner also goes on to the final tourney in mid-December, the grand prize not yet announced, but here's hoping for a trip to the private room.

Call 702-673-1700 for more information and to reserve your seat. Signups are taken until 8:30 p.m. the day of the tourney.

February 2, 2006

Sahara and General Motors to open auto playground

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This spring, Sahara and General Motors will team up to create a unique hands-on driving playground called "The Drive."

Spread across 11 acres at Sahara and Paradise (steps from the Sahara monorail stop), The Drive will be open for at least six months, seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. including holidays. Minimum age is 18 and a breathalyzer test is part of the registration. Drivers must have a valid driver's license.

With no pressure to buy, the public will be able to experience various GM vehicles over two public test tracks -- a high-performance paved loop course and an off-road track over dirt terrain.

The performance course is a half-mile paved route that will give the experience of enjoying the speed and handling of sports car thrills. Vehicle choices for this course include the Chevy Corvette, the Pontiac GTO, the Cadillac CTS-V, the Pontiac Solstice, the Cadillac STS-V, and the Saab 9-3 convertible.

The off-road course contains a tunnel, hill climb, v-ditch, sloped banks, moguls, and obstacles. Consumers will be able to choose from the HUMMER H2 and H3, the Chevy Silverado Diesel, the redesigned 2007 models of the Tahoe, Yukon Denali, Escalade, and Suburban.


Sunday School at Body English

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Body English at Hard Rock takes you to Sunday School in February, with some 100 girls dressed up in school girl outfits every Sunday.

Hours are 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. (the club is also open the same hours on Fridays and Saturdays, where you'll only get a smattering of school girl outfits).

Cover charge is $30 for men and $20 for women. Local women get in for free.

February 1, 2006

Hands on an In-n-Out 100x100 Burger

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Back on Halloween 2004, blogger Will of What Up Willy was in Vegas with friends and stopped by an In-n-Out to work on their own hangover cure -- a 100x100 burger.

That would be a Double-Double plus 98 extra patties, 19,490 calories, and a crew of eight taking almost two hours to consume.

They paid $97.66 for it in exact change.

Pictures, video, and the full story of how they survived can be found at this link.

Didn't know you could order items off the menu? Check out BadMouth's secret menu containing pictures and descriptions, along with the secret food agents who sampled the merchandise.

2-for-1 Avenue Q, Le Reve

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Until Feb. 10, 2-for-1 tickets are available for locals to both shows at Wynn Las Vegas -- Avenue Q and Le Reve.

Avenue Q (regularly $88 and $99) runs Sundays at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Mondays at 8 p.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Fridays at 10 p.m.

Le Reve (regularly $99 and $121) runs Sundays through Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased using the above Ticketmaster links and the special offer code NVDEAL. Ticketmaster charges $8 per ticket for their service fee.

Two-for-one tickets may also be picked up at the theater box office.

Caesars Palace poker tournaments, Valentine's tourney

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On Sunday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m., Caesars Palace offers a Valentine's no-limit hold'em poker tournament for couples and sweethearts.

Registration is $220 per couple and begins Feb. 5 in the poker room. Limited to 300 couples.

Registrants receive 5,000 in tournament chips, with blinds beginning at 25/25 and rounds lasting 40 minutes each.

Rounds alter between men and women, and instead of having 300 railbirds, the other half may alternate in and out of live games.


Caesars' regular tournaments are:

limit hold'em
Friday-Sunday at 9 a.m.: $60 buy-in + $50 rebuy
Tuesday at 7 p.m.: $120 buy-in + $100 rebuy

omaha high
Wednesday at 7 p.m.: $120 buy-in + $100 rebuy

no-limit hold'em
Monday-Tuesday at noon: $80 buy-in + $50 rebuy
Monday at 7 p.m.: $120 buy-in + $100 rebuy
Wednesday-Thursday at noon: $120 buy-in + $100 rebuy
Thursday at 7 p.m.: $225 buy-in + $100 rebuy
Friday-Saturday at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.: $120 buy-in + $100 rebuy and $530 freezeout
Sunday at 7 p.m.: $120 buy-in + $100 rebuy

Sit-n-Go tournaments run 24 hours.