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May 31, 2006

Westward Ho still R.I.P., condos no longer planned

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From the "more things change" department, back in November, Centex Corp. had purchased Westward Ho expecting to build condos, with Voyager Entertainment International, Inc. onboard to install an observation wheel, a.k.a. the world's largest ferris wheel.

According to TheStreet, both plans are off.

Centex has sold its stake back to its partner and plans to focus on their Urban Village, a planned condo/loft resort community on the South Strip.

While we don't mind not seeing a potential eyesore (condos notwithstanding) on the Strip, we admit we would've liked to have mushed our behinds in ferris wheel seats as cool as the ones above (called "orbitors," Cap'n).

Go green with Google

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Google Maps has teamed with Earth Day Network (today's the last day of Earth Day month, wait till tomorrow to spill oil) to show video tours of earth-friendly spots around the U.S.

Currently featured cities include Las Vegas, as well as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Orlando.

Videos in Las Vegas highlight Ethel M Chocolates Factory and Cactus Garden, The Spa at Green Valley Ranch, The Go Raw Café, Boulder City Outfitters, and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum.

More cities and locations (and countries) will be added in the future.

Tip #1, courtesy Google: next time you're looking for hotels, try doing a search on "environmentally friendly hotels."

May 30, 2006

Legends of Poker art exhibition at Mandalay Bay

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The Legends of Poker, an art exhibition at the Jack Gallery at Mandalay Bay (located at the front of the casino), has its opening night preview with wine reception on June 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The show will feature limited-edition, hand-signed lithographs and posters by Larry Grossman/Craig DeThomas, Waldemar Swierzy, Matt Rinard, Bill Hannapple, and Harry McCormick.

Poker celebrities Doyle Brunson, Amarillo Slim, and Johnny Chan will be in attendance for the opening, along with Stu Ungar's family -- former wife Madeline and daughter Stefanie.

Each piece of artwork will also be signed by the featured poker legnds.

Admission is free.

To RSVP for opening night, email bsimon@s2art.com or call (702) 632-4770.

Sen. Harry Reid accepted free boxing tickets

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Photo by Alarming News


The Associated Press reported that between 2003 and 2005, Senate Democratic Leader Harry M. Reid accepted free ringside seats to three professional boxing matches from the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Reid accepted the free tickets while that same agency wanted his influence on legislation to regulate the sport.

Senate ethics state that gifts are okay as long as they aren't associated with influencing decisions. From the Senate ethics manual: "Senators and Senate staff should be wary of accepting any gift where it appears that the gift is motivated by a desire to reward, influence, or elicit favorable official action."

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) joined Reid for one of the fights but elected to pay what his seat was worth: $1,400.

Reid defended receiving the tickets, saying that accepting them would not influence his position.

Reid told the Associated Press, "I just feel these events are nothing I did wrong."

May 26, 2006

The Venetian to experiment with handheld gaming devices

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Photo by Cantor Gaming


We know what you're thinking, You're poolside in Las Vegas and you think, gee, I could really be gambling right now. If only there were a slot machine nearby.

Soon you'll be able to gamble on the go at The Venetian.

Recently, the Nevada Gaming Control Board granted Nevada the first state to allow gambling on mobile devices, and The Venetian will be the first casino to experiment with the technology later this year. The devices may even include biometric fingerprinting as a way of identification.

Cantor Gaming will create and run the handheld devices, which will be available in public areas of the casino such as nightclubs, shopping, and restaurants (and yes, the pool). Devices will not be allowed in private areas, such as hotel rooms.

Games offered are expected to be slots, bingo, sports betting, and the standard table games.

If the technology takes off, this could be another step toward paving the way for legalized gambling over the Internet and cellphones.

Bluegreen Resorts plans Las Vegas resort

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Bluegreen Resorts, operators of vacation ownership residences (pictured above is their La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club in Aruba), has purchased 10 acres in Las Vegas (Tropicana/Paradise) and plans to build a nongaming resort/retail complex.

The building of 240 two-bedroom timeshare units will be seven stories and offered to the Bluegreen Vacation Club by the end of 2007. The Vacation Club can stay at any of Bluegreen's resorts.

The Boca Raton-based resorts and communities firm has optioned four additional acres for future units, and they plan to develop 48,000 square feet for a restaurant and retail center, as well as a timeshare preview center covering 18,000 square feet.

Sales will begin in July in the Akita Plaza (across from Mandalay), with construction starting this fall.

England's First Las Vegas Style Casino

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Image from BBC

According to a BBC News article titled 'Super-casino' shortlist set out, Great Britain's Casino Advisory Panel will decide in December where the country's first super casino will be located. It will on the scale of a Las Vegas property and allow an unlimited amount of slot machines.

27 groups submitted their applications for consideration and the Casino Advisory Panel has narrowed the list down to eight. Among the places remaining are Wembley Stadium and Millennium Dome in London, Blackpool, Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and Glasgow, Scotland.

Other locations are being considered for smaller sized casinos that limit the payouts on their slots.

May 25, 2006

Free $30 food vouchers at Harrah's restaurants

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For the mere cost of a few blocks of walking (and a drive or shuttle ride), you can come away with a $30 food voucher to any Harrah's-owned restaurant (listed below).

Better yet, you can do it every day from now through Sept. 9.

And it doesn't cost a thing. Really.

As part of their new summer promotion "3 Million on the House" (click to see if you're an online winner), Harrah's is determined to get everyone to sign up for their Total Rewards program. But don't worry, it's free to sign up. And if you already have a Total Rewards card, you can still do the promotion.

Start at one of Harrah's six casinos (Bally's, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah's, Paris, Rio) and pick up a card that will act as a passport.

From noon to 5 p.m. daily, visit the casino's kiosk near the Total Rewards booth and have your Total Rewards card swiped. You can win anything from buffets to points to funbooks to airline tickets to cash (up to $10,000 in daily prizes). But mostly you'll win nothing. After your card's swiped, you'll get your passport stamped.

Complete three casinos and you'll receive a $10 food voucher.

Complete all six and you'll get an additional $20 food voucher.

You do not have to complete all casinos in one day (the passports are not dated, just stamped with the casino name). But you can only get one stamp per casino per day.

Food vouchers expire Oct. 10 and may be combined up to any amount. You cannot sell or transfer them; the vouchers will contain your Total Rewards number.

You can do the casinos in any order, but here was my route to get them all done within three hours: with Bally's/Paris next to each other (they're so married, they even combine their chips), they were easily knocked out. From there, I crossed Flamingo Road to get to Flamingo, then hopped over Imperial Palace to get to Harrah's. Right across Las Vegas Boulevard is a convenient crosswalk to Caesars.

I walked back to Bally's, picked up my car, and headed west on Flamingo Road to Rio.

Wait time at each was minimal, never more than 10 minutes.

If you don't have a car, the free shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes to each of the six casinos.

In all my Vegas travels, this is the best offer if you like to eat for free (plus it forces you to exercise). If you do all six, you're guaranteed to walk away with a $30 food comp. You can use vouchers for a snack or collect and combine them to splurge on a swanky Caesars restaurant (Bradley Ogden, mmmm...) or the most expensive buffet in Vegas (the aptly named Sterling Sunday Brunch at Bally's, $70).

Hop on this one; as more people become aware of it, and more people do the promotion daily, lines will get longer.

Here's a list of the participating restaurants that will accept the vouchers:

Bally's
Al dente
Bally's Steakhouse
Big Kitchen Buffet
Chang's
Java Coast
Johnny's Deli
Nosh
Sidewalk Cafe
Sterling Brunch
Sully's

Caesars Palace
808
Augustus Cafe
Bradley Ogden
Cafe Lago
Cypress Street Marketplace
Empress Court
Hyakumi
Mesa Grill
Neros
Terrazza

Flamingo
Java Coast
Margaritaville
Paradise Garden Buffet
Steakhouse 46
Ventunos

Harrah's
The Cafe at Harrah's
Carnaval Court Bar & Grill
Flavors Buffet
Ming's Table
Oyster Bar
Penazzi Italian Ristorante
The Range Steakhouse
Winning Streaks Stadium Cafe

Paris
Ah Sin
du Parc
JJ's Boulangerie
La Provencal
La Village Buffet
Le Cafe Ile St. Louis
Les Artistes Steakhouse
Napoleon's
Ortanique

Rio
All American Bar and Grille
Antonio's
Bamboleo
Buzios
Carnival World Buffet
Fiore Steakhouse
Mah Jong -- Chinese Noodle Bar
Sao Paulo Cafe
Sports Kitchen
Starbucks
The Tilted Kilt
The Village Seafood Buffet
Voodoo Cafe

May 24, 2006

Prince joins Morris Day and the Time at Club Rio

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It isn't enough that Prince is performing two shows this weekend at Empire Ballroom/3121 Nightclub, but now there's a third show with his Purpleness.

Prince will be guest to funkmasters Morris Day & the Time on May 26 at Club Rio (at Rio). Guests also include Larry Graham & GCS.

This marks Prince's first show before heading to Empire/3121 on Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are general admission at $121.03. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Ages 21 and over.

Las Vegas Rumor Roundup: Excalibur Poker Room

You've found the Sin City scuttlebutt. Here you'll see unofficial, off-the-record reports, obtained from fairly reliable insider information.

In other words: overheard in Las Vegas restrooms.

Pssst... MGM Mirage was noticing its own MGM Grand was stealing poker players from Excalibur, frequently leaving empty tables and dealers arriving unable to work. Their solution? Downsize the Excal room.

Before its current location, the poker room swapped spaces with the keno room, with a quick transitional stop on the slot floor. Now it's headed back to the noisy slot floor, just a few feet away. At least it's still close to the restrooms.

There's also rumor of a possible end to the spread-limit games of 1/3 and 2/6.

As long as they keep the wheel, I'll be happy.

The sportsbook will take up residence in the poker room.

And what will become of the old sportsbook location?

It'll be new home to Dick's Last Resort, a popular Chicago-based chain restaurant where the waitstaff is sassy to you. When I visited Dick's a few years ago, the server gave me a dozen straws in my drink. Now that's sassy.


Got a rumor to pass on? Your secret is not safe, but your identity is. Email pokergrub@lasvegasvegas.com.

May 23, 2006

Party with Zumanity at The Palms' Big Sleepover

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Next Tuesday, May 30, The Palms holds "The Big Sleepover," a special 24-hour event designed for -- but not limited to -- locals at ghostbar.

Discounted $89 rooms will be available for those who can't stay up the entire 24 hours.

Other discounted rates will be available throughout the hotel-casino, including the spa, movie theater, and restaurants.

While at ghostbar ($35), you'll hang out with members of Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity.

And if you're a local woman, you'll receive free cocktails from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Scores hosts first annual invitational golf tournament

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Graphic by Matthew Doucette


This Friday is the first annual Scores Invitational Golf Tournament.

That's Scores, the gentlemen's club.

How serious are they about this? Serious enough to spend $8.95 on a website.

Even better, Caesars Forum Shops' Exotic Cars is sponsoring and will give away a Lamborgini Gallardo to the player who hits the "Hole in 1 Prize," which we suspect may be harder than it sounds.

The tournament takes place at the Balai Hai golf course, south of Mandalay Bay.

Cost is $500 per player or $1700 for a foursome.

Registration and a caddy auction is at 10 a.m., tee off is 11 a.m., and lunch is at 12:30 p.m. courtesy of Cili, the restaurant inside Bali Hai.

If you'd like to sign up, call Shai Cohen at (702) 812-7472.

May 22, 2006

CelebPoker offers free satellites to t-shirt wearers

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Photo by CelebPoker


Will you be in Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker?

Even if you don't expect to play, you could still get freerolled into a WSOP satellite event by becoming a walking advertisement.

CelebPoker.com will be wandering the halls of Rio from July 20-29, choosing select players wearing a CelebPoker shirt to compete in a live satellite. If you win that, you'll get a seat into the main event.

How do you get the shirt? It's available for free to new players by depositing before July 15 and playing 100 raked hands.

If you're already a member of CelebPoker, you can purchase a shirt at CelebPokerShop for about $20.

How's that for a promotion? Pay for the shirt, advertise their site for free, and have the possibility of being spotted out of bazillions of poker players.

Well, call us suckers, because we'll be wearing said shirt.

Just remind us to wash that smelly thing at least once in 10 days.

Brooks & Dunn to shack up at Las Vegas Hilton

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We hear a rumor that the next Las Vegas residents after Toni Braxton will be country duo Brooks & Dunn.

Checking their website, we only see Dec. 4-6 listed as tour dates for the Las Vegas Hilton, but we hear they may be staying there quite a bit longer... multiyear longer, beginning around National Finals Rodeo time.

A press conference scheduled later today is expected to formally announce the country crooners to sing alongside Hilton neighbors Barry Manilow and Reba McEntire.

May 20, 2006

Richard's Las Vegas History 101

For more of Richard's eyewitness accounts of Las Vegas history visit his blog at

www.rcnevada.com



Showgirls became a Las Vegas staple after the mob money hit town. Now, only Mayor Oscar Goodman works to keep the tradition alive, always traveling with a pair of the endangered species.

Showgirls became a Las Vegas staple after the mob money hit town. Now, only Mayor Oscar Goodman works to keep the tradition alive, always traveling with a pair of the the endangered species.


I was talking to a friend who used to come to Las Vegas a couple of times a year. This was before he got married and wound up on a short leash. He said he was cleaning out some boxes and came across an old Stardust business card from Mark Swain. It's a shame it wasn't one of the personalized business card chips that he used to give to VIPs.

This got me to thinking about Vegas and the way it's changed.
Mark Swain was an associate and close friend of Moe Dalitz, he was also a close friend of my family.

When Mark first came to town he spent some time as the special events photographer for the DI and he was good enough that he worked for Disney on the TV series "Wild Kingdom."

But, Mark was still one of the "Boys" and thanks to his "friends," he wound up CEO of the Stardust, although, along the way he was "told" to buy a house on the DI golf course and spent more than a few sleepless nights wondering how he was going to pay for it.
When you think of the old days, you tend to think of people like Bugsy Segal, who wound up being shot to death in Hollywood, but while Moe Dalitz and company were anything but saints, they understood what people wanted.

They tried to keep Las Vegas quiet, they had a "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" attitude, long before someone decided to commercialize the phrase, they brought in golf tournaments, world class entertainers and helped develop projects like the Stardust's Horseman's Park.

They made this a place where men could come with their wives and see some of the finest shows in the world, or play a round or two of golf on a world class course, in short, they made Las Vegas a legitimate vacation destination.

The difference between then and now is a matter of vision and guts, when the "mob" (Yes Oscar, I know. What mob?) moved in and started to build, they saw a chance to build something the world had never seen before, and the fact that they made a rather large profit in the process is fine by me, it was their money, their vision, they took the risks and I'm firmly convinced that the corporate types who run things now simply don't have the vision, the balls or the know how to pull it off.

Back before this town became the bloated giant it is and the casinos were still hungry, they knew that they needed every tourist and they left you with the impression that they were glad to have you in their joint, now the casinos charge $75 and up for a show, live games are rapidly being replaced by slots, bottle condoms have replaced the old free pour drink and a shot is now 5/8 of an ounce.

These days we live in a town run by accountants, where you can't get a comp for a buffet without a million points on your players card. It's not about the comps, it's about the attitude.



Another piece of Las Vegas history is Binion's Horseshoe, shown here before the WSOP jumped on the Horseshoe and galloped out of downtown leaving Binion's behind.

Another piece of Las Vegas history is Binion's Horseshoe, shown here before the WSOP jumped on the Horseshoe and galloped out of downtown leaving Binion's behind.

May 19, 2006

Hot dog eater breaks American record in Las Vegas

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Photo by IFOCE


"This is the greatest thing to happen in the history of American sports."

That's what IFOCE president Richard Shea said yesterday.

IFOCE, of course, is the International Federation of Competitive Eating, an organization that supervises and regulates eating contests.

And at the Las Vegas qualifier yesterday afternoon at New York New York's Brooklyn Bridge, Shea said that of 22-year-old California civil engineering student Joey Chestnut, who set an American hot dog eating record of 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes.

Yep, that includes buns.

Chestnut is a strapping 230 pounds young and has other records below his expanding belt: 32.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes, 5.5 pounds of pork rib meat in 12 minutes, 18.5 waffles in 10 minutes, and 173 buffalo wings in 30 minutes.

I'd hate to see him on a date.

If you think fast eating is just a silly fad, remember that's what they said about poker. In one year, Chestnut has made more than $75,000 in cash and prizes, including a car.

Chestnut broke Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas' record of 42 hot dogs last year. And if Chestnut had only gobbled another four, he would've beaten the world record of Japan's Takeru Kobayashi.

Chestnut came this close to beating foe Kobayashi in another heated contest, downing 62 Krystal hamburgers vs. Kobayashi's 69.

Both will square off July 4 at Coney Island for Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Today, they've probably both called in sick.

Toni Braxton next Las Vegas resident at Flamingo

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The Flamingo website says of Wayne Newton's extended engagement: "Coming back May 2!"

It may as well say "Leaving July 1," because beginning Aug. 3, the 800-seat Flamingo showroom will be remodeled as the new home for R&B singer Toni Braxton.

Braxton, who's starred in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast and Aida, will present a full-scale musical production called "Toni Braxton: Revealed," taking the audience through her career beginning in 1992. It will also showcase clothing designs from Dolce & Gabbana.

Braxton will perform six nights a week through March 2007.

Tickets are not yet available, nor are prices (Newton runs from $65/$75/$100), but they'll soon be available at the Flamingo box office (702) 733-3333 or 1-800-221-7299.

May 18, 2006

Red Rock casino poker room tips

I've played poker at the new Red Rock half a dozen times now, and here are some things you may not know:

  • Fastest way to Red Rock is 215 to the Charleston exit. The casino is the first right off Charleston.
  • Closest parking is the west garage (almost always full) or outside near the Salt Lick BBQ (open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., all-you-can-eat dinner for $15.95). The east garage is where the private gated parking is, for Platinum members and above.
  • The poker room will not issue you a player's card; you must obtain one from the Boarding Pass player's club (it's free). This card will also work with table games and slots, and if you lose it, you can easily get a replacement at one of the kiosks by inserting your driver's license.
  • At the entrance to the poker room, you can swipe your card and add yourself to any waiting list.
  • You do not need a card to play.
  • Games running often included Omaha, 10/20 limit, and up to 5/10 NL. No Stud.
  • Red Bull is not served in the poker room, though you can purchase at the nearby bar (I had a free drink coupon and wasn't able to get a Red Bull at the bar, but was able to get a Red Bull & vodka... they've since changed this, too). This leaves Sunset Station the only poker room which has complimentary Red Bull.
  • When swiping in, the dealer will see a display showing your first name, so don't be startled if they refer to you by name. If you don't swipe in, they see your name as "Guest."
  • The standard $1 per hour comp is credited directly to your card at 600 points per $1 (in slots, this would amount to $600 of playthrough). You can obtain vouchers from the Boarding Pass player's club or kiosks to redeem points for anything within the casino (restaurants, hotel, gift shop). At the buffet, you can swipe your card directly. All Station poker rooms will eventually follow, converting unused comp dollars at the 600 points/$1 rate. (And no, slot multipliers do not work.)
  • Cell phones are now allowed at the table, as long as it doesn't slow down your action. This, despite the sportsbook being right next door and in full view of certain poker tables.
  • The men's room has only one stall and one urinal. They may as well include a light outside designating whether it's vacant or occupied. But it's the only restroom I know of that's directly inside a Las Vegas poker room.
  • Poker magazines are located near this restroom.
  • Tables are similar to MGM's, with dealers swiping players in (you don't need to swipe out, the dealer will clock you out). As soon as you step up to leave, the dealer will press your button to signify you're away (and thus, pause accumulation of comp hours). Eventually all Station poker tables will use the same system. The tables are currently active at Red Rock and Texas Station, with Santa Fe Station next.
  • The 3rd man walking rule is in full effect. You will be picked up. Plan your bathroom breaks accordingly.
  • This system keeps tables full and the waiting list moving.
  • If you've been tipping well, some dealers may conveniently forget to note that you're away from the table.
  • If switching seats, a good dealer will know how to switch you in the system without having to clock you out and back in again.
  • The seats are not adjustable, unlike seats for slot players.
  • If you play 50 hours of live poker before the end of May, you'll be entered into a $300,000 freeroll at Texas Station on June 10-11, with every player guaranteed to win at least $50 (to go with your $50 of food comps). Hours are combined at all Stations played. At the previous $250,000 freeroll, many players accumulated hours by walking, socializing, and barely playing. The new tables ensure all players will have played at least 50 hours. Their log sheets listing hours played are down to the second.
  • The progressive jumbo jackpot is increasing 50 percent slower because half the jackpot rake is used to fund the $300,000 freeroll.
  • Harrah's was once considering a similarly linked progressive among all their properties, but they admitted they can't touch the Station's jackpots. Harrah's is instead rolling out high-hand jackpots with WSOP freerolls for 80 hours played within two months, currently running at Harrah's and Rio.

May 17, 2006

South Coast Lucky 7 pool parties begin tonight

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Graphic by South Coast Casino


South Coast Casino splashes down tonight to launch its weekly Lucky 7 pool parties.

The pool/dance/volleyball party begins tonight at 7 p.m. with music by The Boogie Knights. The $7 admission price gets you a draft beer, a cocktail from Lucky 7's drink menu, casino coupons, snacks, and entry into a drawing to win $500.

After the band, the dueling pianos are brought out in the Del Mar Lounge at 10 p.m., offering $1 shots and $1 drafts.

The Lucky 7 pool parties then continue every Wednesday through Aug. 2.

The lineup:

5/17 Boogie Knights
5/24 Spazmatics
5/31 Wolfcreek
6/7 Love Shack
6/14 Tommy Rockers and the Conched Out Band
6/21 Sabotage
6/28 Valley Dolls
7/5 TBA
7/12 Whip-Its
7/19 Valley Dolls
7/26 Love Shack
8/2 Boogie Knights

Free screening of A Prairie Home Companion at Lake Las Vegas

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Photo by Picturehouse


Las Vegas' annual film festival CineVegas is back for its 8th year from June 9-17 at The Palms' Brenden Theatres.

Films have not yet been announced, but in the past have included premieres and celebrity tributes with awards ceremonies.

Highlighted films have included Land of the Dead, Bubba Ho-tep, Hustle & Flow, The Aristocrats, and Napoleon Dynamite.

To launch this year's festival, CineVegas will host a free outdoor screening of Robert Altman's A Prairie Home Companion (based on Garrison Keillor's radio show) on May 20, three weeks before it opens.

The event will be held at MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with music by Live Band, Santa Fe, and the Fat City Horns, a reception (invite-only) at Bistro Zinc at 6:30 p.m., and the screening at 8:30 p.m.

May 16, 2006

Sammy Hagar to bring Cabo to Caesars for weekend

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A press release from Vienna, Austria announced a reunion of Sammy Hagar with Van Halen member Michael Anthony, coming up in Las Vegas, possibly in late July.

According to the release, Hagar plans to turn Caesars Palace's Outdoor Pavilion into a two-day Cabo Wabo concert and festival with sand volleyball, bikini contests, food vendors, body builders, and mariachi bands.

Hagar, who owns Cabo Wabo tequila, will also open a temporary cantina in the style of his cantinas in Cabo San Lucas and Lake Tahoe.

Looks like Harrah's (which owns Caesars) is itching to compete with other outdoor events such as Mandalay Bay's beach concerts.

Or... could this be an experiment to see if a Cabo Wabo Cantina would go over well in Las Vegas, perhaps at Harrah's (which owns Caesars)? In 2002, Sunset Station in Henderson was to have launched the third Cabo Wabo Cantina, but plans fell through.

The Big Game ( A new weekly political update from Las Vegas, Nevada)

The Big Game - a new weekly feature on Politics.

The Las Vegas Sprawl looking toward the north.
The Las Vegas Sprawl looking toward the north.

I've run across a very cool local Nevada / Vegas political blogger community that is working overtime to keep Nevadans informed on all the little political machinations of a State where elections disputes can be solved by the turn of a card. With the help of a noted Nevada political blogger, I give you a week in regional/local politics distilled. The big news this week has been Reid's ill fated gas tax-cut proposal, which he posted on his blog... with open comments... the comments were closed down at 222, but some real gems of insight were left. Some of my personal favorite comments...

1. "Three days ago you threw this rock in the hornets nest asking us to support the Menendez Amendment. So far you have received 175 comments back on this. 90% of them varied between this was a 'bad idea' and 'this is the worst idea I have ever heard of.' A quick look at the comments shows this to be true.""-Steve Cohn (Cmt #177)

2. "We need alternatives to oil, not politically-motivated attacks at oil companies and Repubs. While I'm no fan of Big Oil, I want Dems to make a committment to real changes in the energy landscape. Unfortunately, this bill addresses a symptom, not a cause."-Curt McDermott (Cmt #2)

3. "This proposal will provide fodder for the Media and they will continue to say there is no plan."-Mary M. Smith (Cmt# 26)

4. "Democrats should not enable America's misguided energy policy by trying to pander to some voters who desire short term relief. The majority of voters understand that long term energy policy requires sacrifice and innovation and will respect leaders who stand up and make change happen."-Jennifer Whitlock (Cmt #52)

The Las Vegas Sprawl looking toward the south.
The Las Vegas Sprawl looking toward the south.

Simply put, we can do better Sen. Reid, this isn't a solution or even a stance, it's media pandering and you (and apparently your blog readers know it). Didn't anyone tell you this wouldn't fly?

Now that I've given my two cents let me pull the rest of this Nevada Political update from my new friend over at Las Vegas Gleaner.. P.S. If you have a state / local (Vegas) blog drop me a line, I'd love to see it.

On Jim Gibson...

Apparently, the only place to view "Democrat" Jim Gibson's campaign mailer is the Temple; Republicans are reeling in their native suburban habitat; and the DCCC's fundraising strategies have "caused a stir" somewhere, though we're not sure where. See the ever-improving Mostly Molly Ball Weekly Political Roundup. [For those interested there is already a negitive PR site aimed at Gibson and Henderson Developers]

On Reid on Bush on Immigration...

Bush ordering National Guard to the border. Harry Reid says "On the face of it, I think it's a good idea." Chuck Hagel asks, "what in the world are we talking about here." Perhaps Hagel would like to lead the Democrats ( Post ). In the meantime,immigration wasn't a big, hot-button issue in the 2004 election? [Indeed, is it really the most important thing now? -Prof]

On Reid on Porter on Reid...

Jon Porter is looking ahead to challenging Harry Reid in 2010, reports The Hill (via Scandalmonger ). Or, more accurately, Harry Reid suspects Jon Porter is looking ahead to challenge Reid in 2010, so that's why Reid is so interested in helping his former staffer Tessa Hafen beat Porter in CD2 CD3 this year. As Gleaner readers know, we long ago abandoned all hope of discerning Reid's motives as a pointless exercise; that level of sneakery is far above our pay grade. Besides, in our capacity as entrenched outsider, we're actually much less interested in the reason Reid would like to see Porter get beat than we are in the reason voters would like to see Porter get beat, i.e., he's a total lock-step Republican tool who will put corporate interests ahead of the public's interest every time.

May 15, 2006

Up to $100 slot refund at Arizona Charlie's

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Photo by KGA Architecture


Casinos try rebate offers every now and again, and now they're doing it again.

Arizona Charlie's (Boulder and Decatur), whose slogan is "Focused on Gaming, focused on you," is offering up to $100 back on your first day's losses.

Sign up for an Ultimate Rewards card, play slots with the card inserted, and Arizona Charlie's will refund however much you lose by midnight that night, up to $100. Losses must be at least $5.

Good for new members only, and unfortunately if you're a member of Stratosphere (which along with Arizona Charlie's, is owned by American Casino & Entertainment Properties and use the same Ultimate Rewards card), you're ineligible.

Cirque du Soleil holds open auditions in Vegas

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Photo by Cirque du Soleil


Cirque du Soleil, which premieres their new Beatles-inspired show Love (pictured above, in rehearsal) next month at The Mirage. is for the first time holding open dance auditions in Las Vegas on May 30 and 31, with callbacks on June 1. You must be at least 18 years old, and contracts are for a minimum of two years.

Start exercising, because you have two weeks to get in shape and lose those Mother's Day weekend pounds.

Dancers should possess in their repertoire:

  • Modern, contemporary and/or jazz dance
  • Classical dance
  • World and ethnic dance
  • Acrobatic rock'n' roll
  • Acrobatic abilities an asset (trampoline, tumbling, etc.)
  • Improvisational skills
  • Unique and diverse styles
  • Sensuality

On May 30, auditions are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mystere Theater at Treasure Island. Dancers are sought in the styles of street, hip-hop/b-boy, world/ethnic, and professional male strippers.

On May 31, auditions are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Zumanity Theater at New York New York. Dancers are sought in the style of modern, contemporary, jazz, and classical.

Callbacks are June 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call 1-866-776-8944. You can also apply by mailing your headshot, resume, and video. Visit their site for more.

May 13, 2006

De La Hoya vs. Mayorga Recap

Editor's Note: I want to welcome aboard Joaquin Ochoa as Las Vegas Vegas' boxing expert! Enjoy his first article on last weekend's De La Hoya-Mayorga fight. Thanks, Pauly


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Photo credit: AP/Eric Jamison


As Marvelous Marvin Hagler stated, "It's hard to get up in the morning to do road work when you are sleeping on silk sheets."

And after watching Oscar De La Hoya's previous two fights, one would think Oscar was sleeping on the finest silk money could buy.

De La Hoya had entered his previous two fights visibly out of shape both physically and mentally. He fought in spurts, he was uninspired, and very flat footed. As a result, Oscar lost two of his last three fights. One could even argue that his lone victory against Felix Strum was a gift from the judges.

During De La Hoya's last fight, which was over twenty months ago, we saw him pounding the canvas with his fist as he grimaced with pain after being stopped in the 9th round by Bernard Hopkins.

Who could blame Oscar for living the good life; he is the biggest non-heavyweight draw in the history of Pay-Per-View (a close second behind Mike Tyson), he's the President of Golden Boy Promotions, and he also has very lucrative real estate investments. Oscar has been very successful and fortunate. All three businesses have given "the boy" from the East L.A. Barrio a life he probably never could've dreamed of.

Yet, make no mistake, boxing is still the business of pain. And at the end of the day, boxing is the base and foundation for the "Golden Boy" empire.

Even though Oscar has been successful at everything he's done, there were still some lingering questions after his last few fights. Did Oscar have it in him to fight anymore? Which Oscar would show up to fight the hard charging WBC Junior Middle Weight Champion, Ricardo Mayorga (28-6-1-23 KO's)? Did the silk sheets of success make Oscar soft?

All the questions of ring rust, desire, toughness, and dedication would be quickly answered. In the first round Oscar dropped the hard nosed banger from Managua, Nicaragua with a crisp right cross followed by vicious short left hook. It was a vintage De La Hoya combination that brought the 14 thousand in attendance to their feet.

The first round showed an "in shape" De La Hoya (38-4 30 K.O's). It also showed a De La Hoya that was there to impose his will on Mayorga. This was very impressive considering Mayorga usually tends to take on the role of the imposer. As De La Hoya stated in the post fight interview, "I had to show the bully that I wouldn't back down."

And back down he didn't as most of the fight had De La Hoya staying in the pocket and willing to exchange leather with the hard hitting Mayorga and getting the better of the exchanges with the shorter and crisper punches. In the end, De La Hoya possessed too much skill and strength for the game Nicaraguan. The sixth round saw De La Hoya land a barrage of punches that sent Mayorga to the canvas for the second time in the fight and brought the rambunctious De La Hoya contingency to its feet. It was here that De La Hoya brought a killer instinct that hadn't been seen in some time from the Golden Boy. He hunted down Mayoraga and pummeled him with lefts and rights until referee Jay Nadi had seen enough and stepped in to stop the fight as Mayorga went down for a third time.

Although Oscar did give a good account of himself, make no mistake about it, this fight was tailor made for Oscar. Mayorga has never been a fluid boxer and fights in spurts of two or three punches, while his victories have come against individuals who have foolishly tried to bang away with him toe to toe. Mayorga has yet to win a fight against an established marquee name. Yet, many people in press row and at ringside couldn't have envisioned Oscar disposing of Mayorga by the sixth round.



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Photo credit: AP/Eric Jamison


So now the questions arise, what's next for the Golden Boy? Oscar has said that he would like to have one more fight. Some have speculated that Felix "Tito" Trinidad would come out of retirement for one last mega-fight and mega payday for both combatants. This would give Oscar the opportunity to avenge a controversial decision to Trinidad back in 1999. There has also been talk about a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. (whose father Floyd Mayweather Sr. trains De La Hoya), who some consider one of the top pound for pound boxers. And last there are other possible fights which would pit De La Hoya against Winky Wright or Antonio Margarito.

Whichever way De La Hoya chooses to end his career, he will no doubt go out with a mega fight that will generate a PPV of at least $26 million dollars not including gate receipts. De La Hoya has proven (even at the end of his career) why he's known as the "Golden Boy." He's also answered many questions about his toughness and whether he can sleep on silk and still bring the pain.

May 12, 2006

Harry Reid Aide Opens Door For Convicted Good ol' Boy

Will this become the Clark County Commissioner's vanity plate of fact?
Will this become the Clark County Commissioner's vanity plate of fact?


The legal circus at the federal courthouse here in Las Vegas continues to add a few clues to the mysterious political connections that are the stock and trade of our "Greedy Gang." This time it goes all the way to the U.S. Senate minority leader, the most powerful politicians in the country, our own U.S. Senator Harry Reid. Well almost all the way to Reid, his director of veteran affairs, Charvez Foger, was at the federal courthouse just in time to help out one of the good o' boys, former Clark County Commissioner and just convicted felon, Dario Herrara. Seems Dario needed a quick exit out of the federal courthouse using corridors not available to the general public and someone with a security-card to open the private door to a federal employee only parking lot. Dario wouldn't have to face the throngs of reporters camped out front waiting for him. Harry Reid's aide was right there with card in hand.

For those that have no clue what I'm talking about here's a quick thumbnail. Dario Herrara and Mary Kincaid-Chauncey, both former Clark County Commissioners, were tried and convicted of taking some heavy duty bribes from local sex merchant, Michael Galardi, owner of three strip clubs in Las Vegas. Gilardi, plea deal star witness for the prosecution, detailed how he simply showed up, passed out bags of cash and left with whatever favors he needed that day to further his skin enterprise. Another commissioner, Erin Kinney, also was charged and pleaded guilty to accepting bribes for votes from Gilardi.

In spite of the overwhelming evidence and conviction, Senator Reid has glossed over the wrong doings of his former handpicked congressional candidate that ran for Congress in 2002. Additionally, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Reid said, "He's had enough pounding." Reid indicated he was disappointed in Herraras criminal conduct, but believes he is capable of making contributions to society. Anyone out there in blogger land going to be in need an experienced "bagman" in three to four years?

Republican National Committee spokesman Tucker Bounds questions Reid's stance on political corruption. Why does Senator Reid carry on with his constant attacks on political corruption despite his ties to Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist convicted of bribing members of the U.S. Congress. Reid, by his own admission, said he accepted some Abramhoff tainted money but he did nothing wrong and will not return the $61K since it came from Abramhoff's clients and colleagues, not exactly from Abramhoff. Now Reid chooses to endorse rather than denounce Herrara.

One final note, U.S. Marshall Fidencio Rivera said of stunt, "It's contrary to our policy, but we have no oversight over Senator Reid's office." Proving once again that the nine hundred pound political gorilla can do whatever he wants. Oh yea, would someone please tell Foger that Gilardi has promised to quit passing out the cash bags for favors.

Barry Williams performs one-man Greg Brady show

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Barry Williams' one-man show The Real Greg Brady offers an intimate evening with the elder Brady brother. With stories, songs, and dance, Williams also teaches the audience Brady choreography.

The chance to dance with Johnny Bravo? Groovy.

The Real Greg Brady plays tonight, May 19, and May 20 at 8:30 p.m. at Riviera's Le Bistro Theatre, right after Jay White as Neil Diamond. Tickets are $21.95 at the Rivera box office.

Rock of Ages premieres starring Night Ranger's Jack Blades

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Rock of Ages, a new rock musical, premieres tomorrow at Flamingo for a limited one-week run.

The minimalist storyline stars Jack Blades as the owner of a club on Sunset Strip threatened to be taken over. Framing the story are power ballads from Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Poison, Whitesnake, and Night Ranger.

And yes, that would be the same Jack Blades of Night Ranger (and Damn Yankees), singing his heart out on "Sister Christian" and other songs from the 1980s. When Blades first saw a version of the show in Los Angeles, he liked it so much that he wanted to be a part of it.

More a rock show experience than a musical, each audience member gets a disposable lighter at the door.

Directed by Kristen Hanggi and written by Chris D'Arienzo, Rock of Ages plays May 13-14 and May 16-20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $55/$65 and can be purchased at the Flamingo Box Office or by calling 1-800-221-7299.

May 11, 2006

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino sold to Morgans

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Things have been very quiet since rumors flew that Hard Rock was thinking of a sale.

Recently, Station Casinos and MGM Mirage were tossed into the rumor pit as potential suitors.

Earlier today at an employee lunch meeting at Hard Rock's AJ's Steakhouse, founder and owner Peter Morton announced he sold the property to Morgans Hotel group for $770 million, slightly above our estimate of $750 million. The purchase includes the adjacent 24 acres that were originally planned for condos before Morton cancelled the project.

Morgans runs upscale boutique hotels, including Hudson (New York) and Delano (Florida), and plans to lease casino operations to a third-party operator. Morgans already has a foot in the Vegas door with Boyd Gaming's upcoming Echelon Place, where they plan to open two boutique hotels. Echelon is expected to open in 2010 in the Stardust space.

Morton cofounded the Hard Rock Cafe chain in 1971, sold it in 1996 for $410 million, and kept the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas that he opened in 1995.

The deal is expected to close early next year, with Morton netting 95 percent of the sale.

Las Vegas fashion magnate and developer Fred Nassiri also a singer

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Photo by nassirimusic.com


Did you know fashion magnate and up-and-coming real estate mogul Fred Nassiri is a singer as well?

In June 2003, he wrote, produced, and sang a song to help world peace. He produced a DVD of the song at Red Rock Canyon, with all proceeds going to UNICEF.

Pictured above is Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson and city councilmembers recognizing Nassiri with his contribution to help world peace.

The lyrics of "Love Sees No Color" include "Love sees no color, no race, no religion. Only through love can we live as one."

Only through zoning changes can we live as one, too.

Up for continued review at today's Henderson Planning Commission meeting is the rezoning of Nassiri's Summit project in Henderson.

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Photo by cityofhenderson.com


The map above shows Nassiri's 68 acres on Horizon Ridge Parkway and Gibson Road that is up for rezoning from low-density residential to mixed-use commercial.

The Land Use Policy Plan is also up for amendment from very-low-density residential to commercial.

No wonder the neighbors are seeing red.

Colored in red (red for Fred) is another 8.5 acres of Nassiri land that is slated for an apartment complex, also with The Summit name. This one is more in line with other apartment complexes in the area, but it's also hoping for an amendment and rezoning from low-density residential to medium-density residential.

Might some of the above pictured councilmembers be at the meeting?

Nassiri's debut album hits stores this summer.

Free Kodak ultraviolet photos of you revealing sun damage

Happy Skin Cancer Awareness Month!

Celebrate with a Kodak picture of yourself using a special Twin Image UV Detect Camera.

The special camera will take twin pictures of you, one a regular black-and-white, the other an ultraviolet image showing hidden sun damage under your skin.

Ultraviolet light penetrates up to 2 millimeters beneath the visible dead layer of skin and reveals the living portion with sun damage. The imaging appears as dark freckling, with more spots the greater the damage.

The next few days, the camera will be touring various locations in Las Vegas and giving complimentary pictures.

Today, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.:
Silverado Ranch Plaza
9857 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89123
(702) 270-2410

Friday, May 12, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.:
Best of the West Shopping Center
2120 N. Rainbow Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89108
(702) 631-3668

Saturday, May 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Stephanie Street Shopping Center
543 N. Stephanie
Henderson, NV 89014
(702) 451-6090

May 10, 2006

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino pool cams

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Photos by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino


Not that we spend our days as voyeurs peeping into hotel pool cams, but well, with Las Vegas pools open and weather in the mid-90s, wouldn't you?

Here's the link to Hard Rock's so you can be as guilty as we are.

You can also view live images of Hard Rock's Mexican bar/restaurant Pink Taco.

From the comfort of your Internet connection, no longer will you hear women say, "Hey, my eyes are up here."

Prince plays 3121 in Vegas at Empire Ballroom

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The Artist Presently Known as Prince will perform at the Empire Ballroom (3765 Las Vegas Blvd., near MGM Grand) on the Las Vegas Strip.

His most recent number-one album 3121 will inspire a temporary renaming of the "intimate" (uh, 1,500 seats) club to 3121 Nightclub, with ticket prices set at $312.10. Too bad they didn't move the decimal point a bit to the left.

Prince last played Vegas over two years ago, and he'll appear with special guest Tamar. These two performances will be the first time he's played 3121 live.

All tickets are general admission, go on sale today at 10 a.m. for shows May 27-28 and are available at Ticketmaster. There's a two-ticket maximum, and you must be at least 21.

May 9, 2006

DreamScape plans $2.1 billion Colosseum-like stadium

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Graphic by DreamScape Development Group


DreamScape Development Group of Dallas, Tex., is eyeing 65 acres of land just south of Las Vegas Boulevard (Blue Diamond/I-15, near Silverton Casino) for not one but two stadiums... an 80,000-seat domed stadium and a 25,000-seat arena, as part of a $2.1 billion hotel/condo/casino project.

The climate-controlled stadium takes its inspiration from the ancient Roman Colosseum with much more modern technology.

Seating in the Stadium would be cantilevered, allowing audience members to be closer to the stage and have better sight lines than other facilities. Capacity can easily be increased or decreased on the fly. From their website, DreamScape lists Stadium activities including "NCAA Division 1-A Football, Basketball and Baseball, NFL Football (exhibitions and pre-season), Arena Football, NBA Basketball (exhibitions and pre-season), MLB Baseball (exhibitions and pre-season), tennis, soccer, boxing, wrestling, speed auto and motorcycle racing, hockey, indoor track and field, mega music concerts, touring Broadway shows, and special rodeo events."

Gladiator fighting was conspicuously absent.

The Stadium will be housed within a master planned condo/hotel/casino called Stone Castle Resorts, but details are general and vague. About the hotel, DreamScape states on their website that it will have "the best 5-star management team in the market and will provide all the top amenities that are inherent to five-star resorts." About the casino, they plan to contract "with a well-respected gaming company which will provide all aspects for the gaming components of the development."

With no concrete details and financing sources, it sounds as if plans could still be conceptual and as sketchy as the artist's rendering.

The land DreamScape will be purchasing is owned by Fred Nassiri, who's been popping up in the news lately because of his other 65-acre parcel of land he's developing in Henderson.

Real estate investor Khusrow Roohani owns 55 acres north of Nassiri's site. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Roohani was contacted by two groups wanting to build a stadium in his lot, offering $3 million per acre. Roohani wanted $4 million, and talks stalled.

In the Review-Journal, Mayor Oscar Goodman doubts the project will ever come to fruition, saying "Show me the money."

Goodman has recently campaigned for a similar major league sports stadium in downtown Las Vegas without using tax money, citing the need to replace the 22-year-old Thomas & Mack Center that typically hosts large sporting events at about 20,000 seats.

DreamScape could be all it is -- just a dream.

Boardwalk imploded but not forgotten

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Photo by andywlv/implosionworld.com
Boardwalk past...

Early this morning, the Boardwalk Hotel & Casino was reduced to dust and rubble and memory, as a result of 170 pounds of explosives.

Since closing Jan. 9 after 38 years, the 16-story Boardwalk had been slowly stripped of everything but its $1.99 surf buffet (that's a joke). It was imploded five months to the day it closed.

MGM Mirage is making room for its $7 billion, 66-acre Project CityCenter that will be situated between Bellagio and Monte Carlo, expected by the end of 2009.

MGM Mirage recently reported record net revenue for the first quarter of 2006, up 56 percent to $1.9 billion (last year at this time, revenues were $1.2 billion). First-quarter profit was up 29 percent.

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Graphic by MGM Mirage
Boardwalk future...
May 8, 2006

This Week In Norm Clarke

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Eye Patches are like soooo 1849...


Via The Las Vegas Review-Journal's own gad about town Norm Clarke, we get the inside scoop on celebrity doings all around Sin City.

Well, kind of. Here's who he's seeing around town...

Tuesday: "After a fond sendoff, Harvey Fierstein headed into the sunrise Monday, on a 6 a.m. New York-bound jet."

And the flight was fabulous...

Wednesday: "Cher, in an interview with Fox News columnist Roger Friedman, says she is replacing Celine Dion in two years at Caesars Palace."

Show of hands. Who here thought they might try to go "hipper" with their next pick? We had Billy Joel +440 in the futures pool. Well, at least the transsexual Cher impersonators will have fresh material with which to work.

Thursday: "Tyra Banks hits the Dishes buffet with Carrot Top at Treasure Island..."

We never thought root vegetables and melons were all that complimentary.

Friday: "Singer R. Kelly, attending the 10:30 p.m. performance of KA (MGM Grand) on Wednesday."

He left after the first act, disappointed that it wasn't a musical based on phonics for the "younger set."

Saturday: "The Jessica Simpson-Nick Lachey divorce apparently includes a custody battle over a Las Vegas luxury condo."

Hasn't this guy been through enough already? Boy bands, a reality show, and now a high-profile divorce? If I'm the judge, I'm ready to give him whatever he needs to find his testosterone again. That poor, poor bastard.

Photos of The Summit, Henderson's largest and tallest proposed high-rise project

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We put on our hiking boots and climbed the hill to snap some photos of the 64-acre vacant lot on Gibson Road and Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson, site of The Summit, developer Fred Nassiri's proposed condo/mixed-use project that's been met with controversy by residents.

Before plans are approved, The Summit must receive a zoning change, along with alterations to the city's height restriction for tall buildings.


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As pictured, there isn't much alive within 750 feet of the space. Nassiri was required to give notice about the neighborhood meeting this past Thursday to all residents 750 feet from the project.

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The view of the Las Vegas Strip from what would be the ground floor of The Summit.


Slade Development's Vantage, advertising "heavenly views of Sin City," is The Summit's immediate neighbor across Gibson. With lofts and flats containing glass walls as high as 20 feet, Vantage promises "breathtaking views of the Strip, the surrounding cityscape, and picturesque mountains." If The Summit goes through with its towers far eclipsing 20 feet, well, we suppose two out of three ain't bad.

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A conceptual drawing of Vantage Lofts and Flats.

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Vantage right now.

Britney Spears pregnant, getting married again

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Photo by Gambling911.com


Sometimes with us living in Britney's world, it's tough wading through everything.

The U.K. press is abuzz with Britney Spears marrying for the third time... though again to current hubby Kevin Federline. This after constant rumors that they're on the brink of separation and she's pregnant with her second allegedly alien baby.

"Access Hollywood" spotted Spears' string bikini a little larger than expected (we refuse to call it a "baby bump") at the Caesars Palace watering hole two weekends ago, and both "Access Hollywood" and US Weekly have confirmed with her tattle-tail friends that she's five months pregnant. That, by the way, was the same weekend the couple had a fight, supposedly over Federline not wanting his wife at his CD release party, for fear she'd upstage him.

The vow renewal is set for Las Vegas sometime soon; look for your invitation in the mail. Perhaps they'll get married each time before she gives birth. Spears has fond memories of eloping in Sin City: her first marriage was in Vegas to Jason "I'm not George Costanza" Alexander, before sobering and annulling 55 hours later.

U.K. wire reports are saying Federline dropped to his knee and said those sweet nothings every gal wants to hear: "Let's f*ing do it again!"

May 6, 2006

From clothing to high-rises: residents angry about developer Nassiri's high-rise hopes for Henderson

A currently vacant 64-acre lot in Henderson, Nevada is quietly being positioned into becoming the biggest high-rise project this side of the Strip... the only problem is, its mere existence would break two city ordinances.

Plans for the proposed commercial/residential mixed-use project called The Summit would be on Horizon Ridge Parkway and Gibson Road and span over 2 million square feet with over 20 buildings.

These high-rises include a residential and office tower standing 371 feet, despite a height restriction in Henderson that no building can eclipse 60 feet. (Sunset Station stands tallest at 51 feet.)

The land is also zoned for low-density residential, requiring another change from city officials for its intended use.

Some 150 irate neighbors who never received notice from the developer but instead learned about the project via FOX 5 TV and the Las Vegas Review-Journal filled a meeting room May 4 at Fiesta Henderson.

Seventy notices were sent to neighbors 750 feet from the project, as required to do so by city officials. More than 3,500 people live within a mile of The Summit.

"Who is 750 feet away from this project?" asked a woman. "We're the closest neighborhood. Did anybody in this room get a notice? We're right next door."

Her husband answered that it was the very "750 feet of what the developer owns."

That might explain how the project has been kept quiet since November, when the developer first submitted plans with City Hall.

Another man said, "Does that mean the jackrabbits all know?"

The Thursday night neighborhood meeting was originally intended for the developer to review plans and take questions and concerns.

Eric Hawkins, vice president of Alpha Communications (a research communications firm hired by the developer) was onhand to facilitate questions, comments, and prevent general lynching of the city council members, had they been present.

Comment cards were passed out, with the note "Your comments are inportant (sic) to us." People were urged to fill out the cards in detail.

With no one available to authoritatively answer questions, however, who were these comments and questions going to?

All comments were going straight to the developer. A concerned neighbor warned that everyone's comments could be used to build the developer's legal defense. "We need to address our politicians and our city, not this developer." That was met with several people ostensibly tearing up their cards and throwing the pieces in the air.

"Mayor Gibson's bailing out," someone said.

Residents are in arms about The Summit because in having zoning changes, it could set a precedent. If the project goes through, it could attract other commercial and mixed-use projects and lead Henderson away from the low-density residential use favored by residents. It could then set the stage for a Las Vegas in Henderson.

"Henderson is a place to call home," resident Danielle Blomquist said. "We do not want the transient nature of Las Vegas. We don't want the transportation line coming into our residential area. I don't know how much plainer I can put it: we don't want it."

A thunderous round of applause with cheers of "we don't want it" erupted.

Jim Warring with C.B. Nevada, planners and architects for The Summit, opened the meeting with a presentation that lasted 7 minutes.

Emphasizing the positives of the project and comparing it favorably with Green Valley Ranch's The District (though three times the size of The District), he pointed out The Summit would be a mixed-use residential, office, retail, and entertainment complex that would not include a gaming component (the audience murmured "...yet").

"Very high-end restaurants," such as "P.F. Chang's, Claim Jumper," and high-end stores would be attracted to the project, with a circular, central space for art shows and "small" concerts. Warring emphasized it would not be for "big rock shows" but more intimate jazz shows. And "no Wal-Mart," he insisted. Several times he reiterated how high-end everything would be.

Its landscaping would use little water, and buffering in the form of townhouses would outline the towers. The view of the mountains would be spectacular, though of course the view from current residents' homes would now be the black towers of The Summit instead of Black Mountain.

Warring mentioned extra expense was made to build an underground parking garage. A concerned citizen later brought up cracks in her foundation the last time underground blasting was done in the area.

Almost as an afterthought, Warring also described a business-oriented hotel of 300 rooms along the lines of a Marriott Courtyard.

A mention of the proposed height change to 371 feet was met with groans and "oh my God." Put in perspective, this would be approximately the same height of Las Vegas hotel-casinos Treasure Island, the Las Vegas Hilton, Paris Las Vegas, and the new Augustus Tower of Caesars Palace. From a local perspective, it would be taller than South Coast, the casino that appears viewable from multiple angles of Henderson.

Interestingly, Warring spoke of many of the Henderson hillsides and mountains being torn down for other projects. "We made an effort to try and save and preserve -- according to the city's requirements -- the hillside." They don't seem as concerned following the city's other requirements of zoning and height restrictions.

Another chief concern was traffic. A woman asked, "Have you done any traffic studies?"

Scott Majewski, Henderson city planner and the only city worker present, stood and said, "We have done a traffic study. I don't know the exact details, it's still in flux and conceptual in nature." He checked his papers. "I don't have it with me."

Regarding the height of the buildings, he said, "We have six that are tall": a 27-story residential and office tower, a 24-story tower, a 14-story hotel, and two other 8- and 6-story buildings. Each story is about 12 feet. The height restriction for buildings on Horizon and Gibson is 35 feet, so the smallest proposed building would be double that.

A few times when responding to questions of what Majewski didn't know, a man asked, "What do you know?"

Someone else said, "Who bought you?"

The $64,000 question is, why would someone spend this amount of time and money developing a multimillion dollar project that goes against city ordinances set in place when he first purchased the land? Does the developer know something we don't about future rezoning and height changes in Henderson?

And who is this developer? Fred Nassiri's name wasn't mentioned at the meeting, though it was stated he's a local resident of Henderson. The Review-Journal says he comes from the clothing and music business and owns a wholesale clothing company near McCarran International Airport.

"Will the plans be available online?" someone asked.

Hawkins responded, "The information, drawings, those kinds of things, will be available at the Henderson site when the project proceeds."

Before the project can proceed, city officials must approve of a rezoning to commercial mixed use and extend the current height restriction from 60 feet to 371 feet. The planning commission meeting at City Hall is scheduled for June 29.

Those officials were not in attendance, or if they were, they were keeping quiet.

"Where are all the city councilmembers now?" asked one man. "Why are they not here listening to what we have to say?"

A neighbor responded, "They're at the bank."

May 5, 2006

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Ricardo Mayorga broadcast free at Red Rock

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If you can't afford the $300 tickets for Oscar De La Hoya vs. Ricardo Mayorga (or even pay-per-view), you can see it for free when it's broadcast live at Red Rock's sportsbook tomorrow, May 6, beginning at 6 p.m. with the undercard fight.

By the way, anyone notice Red Rock's website is moving away from www.redrockstation.com and is now www.redrocklasvegas.com? Local advertising for Red Rock emphasizes the local angle, but nationally, Station Casinos is advertising Red Rock as anything but a local casino.

Photos From The Mike Metzger Las Vegas Caesars Jump

Mike Metzger raises his arms in triumph after safely doing the backflip jump over fountains at Caesars Palace
Mike Metzger raises his arms in triumph after safely doing the backflip jump over fountains at Caesars Palace.

[Update: Photos from the Event]

Mike Metzger did indeed do a perfect inside loop as he and machine flew a record distance over the fountains at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas strip, celebrating the original Evil Kneivel stunt. ESPN photographed the event from every angle and provided a live TV feed to the world for the one or two seconds of life and death drama.

When asked before the stunt what was the worst thing that could go wrong Mike quickly replied, "I could get killed." Someone asked him afterwards when did he get scared and he said, "I don't get scared." Most people saw the backflip jump over the famous Caesars Palace fountains live on TV. We be seeing replays of the feat forever just like the 1968 Kneivel disaster. I was there for the 1968 jump and was in the ringside crowd for today's effort. The view you got from TV of those two seconds was infinitely better than mine. I did shoot some photos from inside the crowds and behind the scenes, a little taste of being there live.

The Impossible Jump was quite possibly Mike Metzger perfect.
The Impossible Jump was quite possibly Mike Metzger perfect.



The top of landing ramp is visible over one of the emergency vehicles on hand for the stunt.

The top of landing ramp is visible over one of the emergency vehicles on hand for the stunt.



TV crew measurung the total length of the Metzger's flight.

TV crew measurung the total length of the Metzger's flight.



Both Wayne and George appear happy that Mike  made the jump safely, insane perhaps, but safe.

Both Wayne and George appear happy that Mike made the jump safely, insane perhaps, but safe.

A look at the special bike moments after Mike Metzger flew it across the fountains at Caesars.
A look at the special bike moments after Mike Metzger flew it across the fountains at Caesars.



Local news trucks combined with ESPN to clog one of the lanes of the Las Vegas strip.

Local news trucks combined with ESPN to clog one of the lanes of the Las Vegas strip.

May 4, 2006

What'd You Do On Your Trip To Vegas?

A Flickr Fable...

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We went to go see the fountains at the Bellagio. They were awesome.

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Then, at the Rio we saw that tiger that totally tried to kill Siegfried.

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After that we went down to Fremont Street and got our jingo on.

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Then the volcano at Treasure Island went 'BOOM!'

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Later, we went to that vodka bar where all the words on the walls are written in some scary foreign language. I think it was named after a Sean Penn movie.

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Then this guy wanted to get with Melissa so much he drank champagne from her shoe! Ewww!

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Then Melissa started drinking tequila and said she'd bang this guy because he looked like Tom Wopat. I had to tell her that's not a soul patch! LOL!

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He didn't know that we had a big bottle of Boone's Farm back in the room! We're so bad! LOLOL!

(From Flickr users dpriddy, phenchurch, torgerson, frankphotos, cehresman, demidip, kyletothill, and shimmmeegrrl - found items from the "Vegas" tag on Flickr)

The Buffet - All You Can Eat Vegas For 5/4/06

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Against Our Better Judgement, Elvis Hits The Buffet... (photo courtesy BBCNews


· Mobile gaming has come to Las Vegas, giving visitors to resorts an opportunity to gamble from anywhere on the property. The plaque on the New York New York's Statue of Liberty will be changed to read, "Give us your bed-ridden, your lazy, your tech geeks yearning to wander free." [In Las Vegas, the Wagering Is Going Mobile - New York Times]

· Mayor Oscar Goodman is said to be wooing the NFL's San Diego Chargers to Las Vegas. Can't imagine that young athletes flush with cash would ever find anything fun to do in this town. [City allows Chargers to look for a new site - NFL News]

· We're not sure, but being the strip-mall chapel with the Elvis impersonator that recently hosted the wedding of D-List celebrity Kevin Dillon doesn't sound like a solid sales pitch, let alone a reason to get reviewed online. Then again, maybe lasting memories can be created in a stucco storefront manned by an out-of-work actor celebrating the life of a long-dead singer who liberally stole his style from underappreciated black musicians of his time. Good luck in divorce court in eighteen months! [Weddings at A Elvis Chapel, Las Vegas - LoveTripper]

· Updating our current favorite story on the Sin City newswire, closing arguments have begun for the "G-Sting Trial" involving bribery, and access to strippers and prostitutes for local elected officials in an effort to buy favorable votes. Anyone else find it strange that this stuff never seems to happen in Topeka? [Sex-for-votes trial keeps Las Vegas buzzing - Chicago Sun-Times]

· There's a young white girl who went missing in Las Vegas a few weeks back. Unfortunately, she's Canadian so Nancy Grace doesn't give a shit. [Daughter lost in Las Vegas - Calgary Sun]

· After spending huge amounts of money developing and branding Las Vegas on television ads, Las Vegas civic leaders announced their opposition to changing the tag line on their commercials to, "What Happens In Vegas Will Live Forever On A Computer At Langley." [Las Vegas Passes Resolution Opposing The Patriot Act - KLASTV]

· Finally, the State of Nevada is preparing to take action against a Las Vegas fertility doctor who admits that he used his own semen to impregnate his patients. And we thought the old "pump n' dump" scheme was limited to the stock market. [Details Emerge About Suit Against Las Vegas Fertility Doctor - KLASTV]




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The Tools Of The Fertility Doctor's Trade


May 3, 2006

Caesars gives away WSOP seat

Caesars Palace is giving away a seat to the World Series of Poker main event (worth $10,000), and all you have to do is play an hour in their Las Vegas poker room to qualify.

To register, pick up a drawing ticket at the front desk of the poker room and sign up for a Total Rewards player's club card. If you already have a Total Rewards card, submit your email. If they already have your email on file, give them another email address.

Play for at least an hour, then return to the desk and give them the ticket to stamp.

Drawing takes place June 15 at 6 p.m. You do not need to be present to win (they'll call you).

Free tickets to Poker Dome at Neonopolis

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MANSIONpoker.net and FOX Sports Network's Poker Dome is finished, now all that's needed is audience members (hint, hint: we're talking to you, sharpshooter).

Free tickets are available through Audiences Unlimited, which usually distributes tickets to television tapings in Hollywood.

At the time of this posting, up to six free tickets are available to the following tournaments at Neonopolis in downtown Las Vegas:

May 27 (premiere)
June 3
June 10
June 17
June 24

All tourneys take place Saturdays from 8:30 p.m. to about 11:30 p.m. Audience members must be at least 21 years old and should arrive by 7 p.m. to ensure a seat.

Dome tournaments encase players within a one-way mirrored cone of silence. Audience members can see in, but players can't see out. Players also can't hear the audience, which will be privy to players' banter, hole cards, burn cards, and what cards would have fallen if the hand played out.

To keep audience's involvement, hands will play much faster than in regular games. An added 15-second clock will be placed on players to make up their minds fast.

Some 40 weekly tournaments will take place, leading up to a finale awarding the winner $1 million.

May 2, 2006

Rally for immigration reform closes part of Las Vegas Strip

immigrationrally2.jpg Rally or rave?

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Toward the end of the march.


Photos by grubby


On May 1, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people participated in a peaceful march calling for immigration reform, protesting a proposal that would classify illegal immigrants as felons.

The rally closed soutbound Las Vegas Boulevard for five miles from downtown to the New York New York casino. Pedestrian crosswalks were also closed.

Most of the 60,000 casino employees (40 percent immigrants) showed for work earlier in the day, thanks to a concerted effort among the casinos to support the reforms through petitions.

And it was indeed peaceful. Coming from a town that's rally crazy (Washington, D.C.), I didn't see a single altercation, even when a truck stopped in the middle of southbound traffic and several people stood on the roof with screams of support.

Other than New Year's Eve, this was the largest amount of people I've seen on the Strip. I found myself in the middle of the rally, making this bad video and this other one, showing the magntiude of the demonstration.

Chants heard were "U.S.A." and signs displayed included "we are all immigrants."

Las Vegas ranked number one for gambling

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Photo by Warner Bros.


TripAdvisor -- whose motto is "get the truth, then go" -- has placed Las Vegas number one in their list of top 10 gambling hot spots in the world.

Near the bottom of the list was the charity firehouse in Milwaukee.

All kidding aside, is it any surprise that Vegas wasn't number one for gambling (or as the casinos prefer, gaming)? That's a little like New York City being rated number one for Broadway shows.

In descending order, the remaining nine gambling hot spots from TripAdvisor's list are: Montreal, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Atlantic City, Paradise Island, St. Maarten, Lake Tahoe, Monte Carlo, and Macau.

Red Rock Canyon

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For years I've been told to check out the spectacular national parks surrounding Las Vegas. I always had it on my list of back up things to do just in case I went broke. The next time you head out to Las Vegas, I suggest you come a day earlier so you can spend time at Red Rock Canyon either hiking or taking the 13 mile scenic drive. It's one of the most beautiful areas that I've seen in the entire state of Nevada. Red Rock has over 2,000 climbing routes and is one of the most popular recreational climbing spots in North America.

Red Rock Canyon is located less than an hour outside of Las Vegas. It's only a few minutes west of newly opened Red Rock Casino which draw its name from the national area nearby. Geologists believe that 65 million years ago two plates collided along the Keystone Thrusted Fault and what resulted was what we see... a variation of grey limestone and red sandstone. At one point over 600 million years ago, the land that surrounds Las Vegas was the bottom of a deep ocean basin. Some of the rocks are red due to the exposure to the elements, which cause some of the iron-bearing minerals to oxidize. That's a fancy word for explaining the rusting of the sand which caused the rocks to be different shades of tan, red, and orange.

The park opens at 6 AM and closes at dusk. It cost $5 per vehicle and if you are a Las Vegas resident, you can get a year pass. You need a special permit if you are going to do anything special like rock climbing, filming, weddings, or rock collecting. There is camping available and you should check with the Visitor's Center before you begin your trip.

You can drive along the scenic route and choose to stop at one of the 19 different hiking trails to take photos, picnic, or if you are bold enough hike up to the mountains and do some climbing. Some are more difficult than others and they range from easy, moderate, and strenuous.

During my visit I did Trail #2 Calico Hills. It's rated easy-moderate and there are some tough spots. You will be doing some basic climbing. You get amazing views of the Calico Hills. There are some seasonal waterfalls in some areas such as Ice Box Canyon on Trail #12.

The Willow Springs Picnic Area is a perfect spot to take your family. Located against the sandstone bluffs, it's an area that has plenty of wildlife and wildflowers. You can find frogs, lizards, birds, and snakes of all varieties. Late in the afternoon you might see some bats awaking from their slumber. There are trails to pictograph and petroglyph areas.

In addition to tortoises, bighorn sheep, jack rabbits, and frogs, there are burros in the park and you are encouraged not to feed or ride them. Doing so will get you a citation. Be careful driving because burros have been known to jump out into traffic.

Tips

If you are hiking, make sure you drink one gallon of water per day. Bring an extra gallon and store it in your car. The temperatures can average more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. So avoid exposure to the sun and drink plenty of water. You should wear loose clothing proper footwear, and protect yourself from the sun. Be careful of flash flooding during storms and avoid hiking in canyons during heavy rain. And always watch out where you put your hands when climbing... you can get it caught on a cactus or bitten by spiders, scorpions, and rattlesnakes.

Avoid hiking and climbing if you have been up all night gambling without any sleep. If you are hung over, you should also avoid the trails for your safety and the safety of other hikers. Also, if you are going out to Red Rocks on the weekends, make sure you arrive early, before all the crowds and bus tours show up by lunchtime. The best time to go is early in the morning on a weekday.

Handy Numbers:

(702) 515-5350 Red Rock Visitor Center
(702) 515-5050 Climbing Permits
(702) 515-5361 Book Store & Gifts

Here's some pics that I took:


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May 1, 2006

Construction begins on Wynn's Encore

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Graphic by Mike Johnson/Las Vegas Review-Journal


Amidst rumors that Wynn Las Vegas was not doing well (fueled by competitors, we suspect; its first-quarter 2006 earnings will be released May 3), last Friday Steve Wynn broke ground on his second tower, exactly one year after WLV opened and Wynn's wife Elaine's birthday.

Construction began today in a 20-acre space.

Called Encore, the $1.74 billion megaresort will have a smaller casino space and contain 2,054 suites. The rooms will be larger in this boutique hotel (at 1,030 square feet, the bathrooms alone are 230 square feet, larger than some downtown hotel rooms), yet be more intimate. What will also be more is the cost, expected to be $400 per night.

And don't expect Encore to be the final building on the property. Wynn Resorts has 240 acres to play with, and Wynn has stated that he expects to be in construction for the rest of his life. (We look forward to additional properties Coda, Refrain, and Finale.)

Encore is expected to open New Year's Eve 2008, bucking Wynn's tradition of opening in April.

Free screenings at CBS Television City

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Graphic by CBS Television Network


If only you were there to give your two cents when they were figuring out what to do with "Bette" ...

Want to play network executive and be part of a test audience for CBS television to influence what shows are selected to be part of their fall lineup?

CBS holds free test screenings at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and by participating and giving your reactions and opinions via touchpad, you'll receive a Starbucks coupon and $10 off the CBS Television City retail store.

Recently they've been offering hourly drawings, giving away tickets to KA, the latest Cirque du Soleil show at MGM (Tuesdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.)

A bigger drawing is offered every few months, with participants being qualified to win items such as a home theater system.

Screenings run every half-hour throughout the day between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Each screening time will take about an hour of your time.

The CBS Television City Research Center is steps from the pool and the MGM Grand Garden Arena at the end of the Studio Walk.

Free tickets are handed out nearby, as well as the parking garage entrance to the casino. You then take your ticket to the Research Center and sign up for a time, then line up a few minutes before your show begins.

This Week In Norm Clarke

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Arr... Vegas' Own Gossip Pirate


Via The Las Vegas Review-Journal's own gad about town Norm Clarke, we get the inside scoop on celebrity doings all around Sin City.

Well, kind of. Here's who he's seeing around town...

Monday: "At Saturday's VIP opening of Cherry (Red Rock): Tommy Lee, Matt Sorum, Slash, Lisa Rinna, Harry Hamlin, Kenny G, Kylie Bax, Anne Heche, Jim Belushi and Vince Neil."

Wow, Kenny G and Harry Hamlin in the same VIP line. Wonder if they talked nasal-toned elevator music, or maybe Kenny pointed out the various inconsistencies inherent in "The Clash of the Titans." We always thought they should have went with Lee Marvin as the Kraken too. And we thought Slash grew up Jewish. What would his rabbi say about partying on the Sabbath?

Tuesday: "Dr. Phil, chowing down on the supersized biscuits and gravy plate at Hash House A Go Go after a show segment."

Immediately following, he upbraided the line cooks for the culture of neglect being bred into the poor noble female waitstaff.

Wednesday: "President Clinton's round of golf had a porn star connection the other day."

This is news?

Thursday: "Peter Gabriel and Joseph "Run" Simmons of Run-DMC, at separate tables Wednesday at Postrio (The Venetian)."

We're not saying Peter Gabriel doesn't like black people*, but here we are...

Friday: "Ellen DeGeneres has a surprise announcement for two audience members on her show today (KLAS-TV, Channel 8 at 3 p.m.). She's flying Alecia Whitaker and Jerrod Pace of Kentucky to Red Rock Resort for the ultimate bachelor/bachelorette party."

Any excuse she needs to make to justify a trip to the Spearmint Rhino to Portia di Rossi just comes off hollow, doesn't it?

*It bears mentioning that we know Peter Gabriel likes black people perfectly well. As a matter of fact, his classic album Graceland was recorded with a variety of South African musicians. No, that was Paul Simon. Dream of the Blue Turtles then? Didn't that one feature Branford Marsalis? Oh, that was Sting? Crap. Nevermind.